Academic English

Session 2

HEATHER LENNIE

lennie.heather@isb.edu.vn
Today we will...

● Take the Quiz

● Discuss your home reading
● Form groups, choose topics for GROUP
assignments (presentation and essay),
schedule rehearsals

● Discuss what makes a good presentation

● Watch and evaluate a TED talk
Click on this link: https://forms.gle/SUMtgeSqnGrKr3Je9
Spreadsheet Qs?
3-2-1
Activity Instructions
SPEAKERS
Answer the following questions. Keep talking for 3, 2, 1 minutes.

1. Why is it important to formulate specific questions to

guide your research (How? What? Why? etc.)?
2. “You should never forget that writing is communication.”
Comment on this idea.
3. Give some reasons why teams can experience difficulties
in their teamwork.
Activity Instructions
SPEAKERS
Answer the following questions. Keep talking for 3, 2, 1 minutes.

1. What are some helpful strategies to clarify the

understanding of a writing task?
2. Enumerate and comment on some differences between
written and spoken language.
3. Why is it necessary for a group to have a group task
checklist?
Next on our agenda

* About GROUP assignments: presentation + essay

* Forming groups, choosing a group leader

* Topic discussion + choice

* Scheduling presentation rehearsals (Sessions 5-7)

DATES

Group Presentation
(3 min speaking time per person + Q&A)
Rehearsals - Sessions 5-7
Final Presentations - Session 12

Group Essay (1000 words)

Outline - Session 3
First draft -Session 6
Final draft - Session 8
FORMING GROUPS, CHOOSING A LEADER
Meet & greet
Choose group leader
Discuss channels of communication
topics
 Discuss with your group members:

1. How much do you already know about

these topics?

2. Which question would be more

interesting to research and write
about?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
Make a note:

For your group, how interesting

is this topic
on a scale 1-5?
AS a group, decide on your TOP 3 TOPICS you’d like
to choose for research and course assignments.
Pull out your Number & Rehearsal Date
TOPIC CHOICE and REHEARSAL SCHEDULING
sign-up
What are your next steps as a
group?
What is your experience with

1) public speaking?
2) delivering presentations?
3) working in a team?
What did you learn from that
experience?
What makes a good presentation?
Discuss in your group.
Presentation Skills: Essentials

● Delivery
● Content
● Engaging the audience
● Time management
● Language
Bill Gates
The next outbreak? We’re not ready
What do you remember after the
talk is over?
What is Bill Gates’ presentation
skills score (out of 10)?
Feedback rubrics (also, p.344)

Is the presentation well researched?

(understanding of the issue)

Is the presentation well structured?

(clear structure, analytical and critical interpretation of the
topic)

Is the presentation well argued and

substantiated?
(evidence and relationships between ideas)

Is the presentation well delivered?

(register, eye contact, time management, etc.)

Is the presentation well supported visually?

Impromptu Presentations

● Choose a topic you think you are an expert in

● Prep 3 mins

● Talk 3 mins
* Structure
* Message
* Delivery
* Language
HW for Session 3
● Group essay outline (link in the spreadsheet, 1 per group) -
use activities on p. 57-64 to help
● Group Leader: add details in the spreadsheet
(members, group topic)

● Unistep chapter 4 (quiz!)

● Homework 2 Video recording (3 mins max, link in the
spreadsheet):
- Summary of the chapter
- What was most useful/interesting/surprising for you in the text?
HW Planning ahead

● Discuss and organize your TEAM work (refer to ideas

on p.345-353)
● Create a GROUP Google Drive folder

● ProQuest, Google Scholar, Academia.edu,

ResearchGate… START your RESEARCH!

Do you have any questions?
 Thank you
and
see you on next week!

lennie.heather@isb.edu.vn