|
Table of Contents
|
Spring 2008
Seminars on Language Development and Intercultural Teaching are for academic teaching faculty at the University of Tartu who are interested in developing fluency and accuracy in their English language skills, particularly as those skills relate to their academic teaching or work environments. Each seminar is a stand-alone workshop designed to focus on a specific element of learning or teaching. The content strives to highlight aspects of excellence in higher education teaching; however, the seminars will be conducted in English and have a dual focus on the language-related skills necessary for success in the participants’ international academic environment. Participants may choose attend one, a few, or all of the seminars listed below. Pre-registration for the seminars is required and space will be reserved for those who respond first.
To register, please visit University of Tartu's Training Web. Just click "register" behind the title of the seminar. Your unit, job title and e-mail address is automatically added by the program. If you experience any problems, please contact me directly. Thank you!
Pre-registration for individual seminars is required Pre-registration for seminars is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should seminars fill, a waiting list will be maintained and participants will be notified should additional spaces become available.
Enrollment limit: 15
Meeting times: Fridays 9-12 a.m.
Meeting place: Ülikooli 17, room 321
Schedule of Seminars
| Date | Topic | Pre-Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 15, 2008 | Discussion: Elections 2008 | February 13, 2008 |
| February 29, 2008 | More Grammar for Grammarphobes | February 27, 2008 |
| March 14, 2008 | Email Etiquette for Professors | March 12, 2008 |
| March 28, 2008 | Get to the Point | March 26, 2008 |
| April 18, 2008 | Vocabulary with Vroom! | April 16, 2008 |
| May 5, 2008 | Death by PowerPoint | April 30, 3008 |
| May 16, 2008 | The Joys of Academic Writing | May 14, 2008 |
| May 30, 2008 | Perfect your Pronunciation | May 28, 2008 |
| June 6, 2008 | Discussion: English in Higher Education | June 4, 1008 |
Seminar Topics
Discussion: Elections 2008
Want to warm up your language skills and figure out what the difference is between a primary and a caucus? In this seminar, you will have the opportunity to practice your English and develop a clearer picture of the U.S. 2008 elections. Using reading, speaking, and listening tasks, we will uncover some answers to your questions about red and blue states, the Electoral College, and presidential candidates to continue to follow as fall elections near.
More Grammar for Grammarphobes
Find yourself still bewildered by some aspects of grammar? Come to this seminar to untangle complicated aspects of the English language in a fun and entertaining way. We will look at examples of grammar abuse and analyze common errors and examples of Estnish (English as sometimes used in Estonia). We will also discuss additional reference books and online resources for your continued study.
Email Etiquette for Professors
Email usage is ubiquitous, and it is a popular medium for corresponding with students and colleagues. This seminar will focus on appropriate email communication. We will analyze written samples and talk about effective ways to use email and electronic mailing lists as a classroom tools.
Get to the Point
In this seminar, we will focus on developing skills to describe objects and processes effectively during academic lectures and presentations. The task of explaining items is common in academic discourse – whether the item of description is a suspension bridge, microscope, a case study, document, or a musical instrument. We will practice techniques of describing these objects and look more closely at language related to spatial organization, pointing with words, nonverbal behavior, preparing visual aids, and indicating an object’s purpose/function.
Vocabulary with Vroom!
Feel like your English vocabulary lacks some oomph? Add some vroom to your lexicon by attending this seminar. We will explore commonly misused academic vocabulary, discover new general academic vocabulary, and discuss strategies and tips for continuing to amplify your vocabulary.
Death by PowerPoint
One more slide filled with dense quotation in 10 pt. font is too many! Let’s change the way we think of visual support. These days, many of us cannot imagine giving lectures or presentations without the help of computer-generated presentations. However, we also recognize room for constant improvement in preparing engaging visual aids. In this seminar, we will take a closer look at several different methods for making effective presentation slides. We will benefit from your input as an expert audience member and presenter. Participants will also prepare slides to share and discuss.
The Joys of Academic Writing
Come discover how exciting writing papers can be! In this seminar, we will look at ways to get over writer’s block and develop positive writing habits. In addition, we will take an introductory look at features of academic writing in English and locate sources for continued practice and study.
Perfect your Pronunciation
Some language specialists claim that more than 80% of miscommunication is related to pronunciation. Come to this seminar to polish your pronunciation to perfection with effective tips and exercises. We will especially focus on aspects of word/sentence stress, intonation, and connected speech during this three-hour session. Resources for continued practice will be provided.
Discussion: English in Higher Education
This final seminar will be a participatory discussion based on a reading about the role of English in higher education. Be prepared to explore alternative viewpoints and share your perspectives on the issue.
