Class 1: Monday October 13: Speaking English with Confidence

In the first class we'll be doing some introduction, as well as discussing English classes and speaking English in general. To prepare, think about past English (or other language) classes you have taken and how you have learned to speak English.

•  What sort of activities or practice have you done?
• Which have worked? Which haven't? 
• What advice would you give someone who wants to improve their spoken English?
• Do you like speaking in public? What advice do you have to make it easier?
• Is there a difference between speaking in public in your native language and speaking in public in English?

We will also talk about Second Language Anxiety. Here are a few readings on the topic. Has this ever applied to you? To anyone you know? What can be done to overcome it?
This list of tips from Psychology Today magazine is targeted specifically at introverts:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quiet-the-power-introverts/201107/10-public-speaking-tips-introverts

There has been a great deal of academic research into 'second language anxiety'. Chapter 6 of Voices from the Language Classroom deals with this issue. Do the research and observations match your own experiences in language classrooms? What can teachers do to help students participate more in language classes? http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FBPAKfZW_TUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA145&dq=second+language+anxiety&ots=cbrRLQZPNb&sig=g-ACdkIFVcUF-MWVNMlxC_ycLz8#v=onepage&q=second%20language%20anxiety&f=false

You may also be interested in these tips on public speaking/presentations from Mind Tools: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/PresentationNerves.htm