Welcome to Public Speaking and Oral Communication

Description: 

Do you get nervous presenting in front of a group or wish to improve your public speaking skills? This course is for you! Whether defending a thesis, delivering conference talks, or attending job interviews, effective communication is crucial for PhD students.

This course is designed to enhance your public speaking and oral communication skills in face-to-face contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental and technical aspects of oral communication, such as pitch, cadence, projection, and presence. Students will engage in self-reflection and receive feedback from both the instructor and peers, helping them identify their strengths and address their weaknesses.

The course is divided into two parts:

1. Fundamentals: Covering theories and principles of public speaking and oral communication.
2. Practice: Involving in-person exercises (e.g. small group work), speech writing/preparation, giving a short speech, and constructive feedback.

Prior to the in-person portion of the class (21-23 May), students will start with online materials (on-demand, e.g. videos and articles) to help lay a foundation of principles of public speaking. In-class time will be focused on overview and implementation of principles via exercises and feedback, culminating in a short speech given in front of the class.

Learning objectives: 

This course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective oral communication involving articulating their ideas, engaging listeners, and communicating with clarity. By the end of this course, students will feel comfortable giving a talk in front of an audience in a compelling and clear manner and present themselves with confidence.

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course. 

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.