Activities for Improving Oral English
Register for a course on college teaching.
HRE 412: Instructional Techniques
EOL 585: College Teaching and Academic Careers
Sign up to practice English skills and to participate in cultural experiences
with the International Friends Program, sponsored by the International
Hospitality Committee. For information, contact Vivienne Mackie (328-1569; vmackie@prairienet.org).
Sign up to practice English skills and to exchange ideas for one hour
per week with native English-speaking UI student volunteers in the Global
Partners Program. Global Partners organizes weekly group meetings, one-on-one
pairings, and other social events throughout the year. Send email inquiries
about meeting times and locations to uiucglobal@gmail.com or
view more information about the program at the Global
Partners website.
Sign up for “Accent Modification” therapy to help with English pronunciation
at the Speech and Hearing Science Clinic (333-2230). There is an hourly
fee charged for this service, however student discounts are available.
Ask a current instructor to let you observe a lecture or discussion section.
This observation will give you a picture of what goes on in the classroom
and of what instructors generally are expected to do.
Ask a native speaker to help you with the pronunciation of frequently-used
terms in your discipline.
Practice doing “mini lessons” in English in front of a mirror. Or, make
a video or audio recording of yourself giving a short lesson and review
the tape with a native speaker to obtain feedback.
Form a practice group with other international students and rehearse
giving presentations to each other. Ask an experienced TA to watch the
practice sessions and to provide feedback.
Meet new friends and practice English skills at the “International Coffee
House” at the Wesley Foundation from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Fridays (1203
W. Green St.; 344-1120). Anyone is welcome!
Take opportunities to improve your listening skills in English—listen
to the radio or television programs, listen to podcasts, and/or interact
with native speakers as much as possible.
Communicate frequently with native speakers to practice speaking English.
For example, form a study group with others in your department; join
a campus club, sports team, or other informal group; attend social events;
or volunteer in the local community. To find volunteer opportunities
in the Champaign-Urbana community, visit www.cuvolunteer.org.