COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE NAME ORAL COMMUNICATION (PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS)

CODE ENG-132
CREDIT HOURS 03
PRE-REQ. FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH
PROGRAMME BS (MARITIME BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT)
BS (ECONOMICS & FINANCE)
SEMESTER 3RD

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed as an introduction to the study of the human communication process with an emphasis
on effective public communication. The course includes intensive practice in public speaking, reasoning, critical
thinking, and listening. The main purpose of the communication skills is to sharpen the speaking and
presentation skills of every student. By the end of the course, students should be capable of delivering an
effective speech relating to a specific topic, issue, or question from an academic discipline including subjects
related to the core curriculum and the student’s major field of study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, students will be able to;
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the content accurately.
2. Apply ideas and concepts clearly and logically.
3. Validate an accurate awareness of implications drawn from the information presented.
4. Synthesize arguments of presentations accurately and effectively.
5. Become proficient and skilful in concluding presentations appropriately and professionally.

CLOs COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, students will be assessed on the basis of ;
1. Speaking publically in both formal and informal contexts.
2. Functioning effectively in group discussions
3. Listening sensitively and expressing effectively other’s viewpoints.
4. Analyzing and evaluating speeches of self and others.
5. Organizing presentations with the purpose and audience in mind
TEACHING & LEARNING METHODOLOGY:

Speaking Assignments and Outlines:

There will be 3 formal graded speech presentations. Three presentations, the process, the informative and the
persuasive, must be accompanied by an outline. The outline must be turned in on the day the student is assigned
to speak and must be in correct outline format (to be discussed in class). Students will not be permitted to speak
if he/she fails to provide an outline BEFORE he/she delivers the speech. Topics for each speech must be
approved by the teacher at least ONE WEEK BEFORE speeches commence. Specific speaking guidelines will be
given out in class, however, brief explanations of each of the assignment follows:

1
 1. Narrative Speech:
A 3-5 minute speech in which students will speak of a story from their personal life experience (s). This speech is
a way for students to introduce themselves to the class and commence public speaking. Such speeches will make
them more comfortable with their surroundings making a speech class manageable. The speech carries 05 points
of the total course grade.

2. Oral Interpretation:
A 3-5 minute presentation that focuses on dynamic performance. The overall emphasis of this speech is delivery
and the student’s ability to interpret and convey a message clearly. An original introduction is required for this
speech. This presentation worth 05 points of the total course grade.

3. Persuasive Speech:
A 3-5 minute speech, accompanied by a formal outline, focuses on arguments and reasoning and should be
designed to persuade the audience for or against a question of policy. Students will be expected to advance
formal claims and support them with evidence and reasoning.
Further, each student will be cross-examined by the class for 1-2 minutes following the speech.
This speech is worth 05 points of the total course grade.

 Speech Grading:
Speaking assignments and outlines will be graded on content, structure, language, and delivery. Should a student
fail to appear in class the day he/she assigned to speak, the grade and credit associated with the speech will be
forfeited. In other words, an unexcused absence on student’s assigned speech day will result in a ZERO for that
assignment. Documented illness or emergencies are the only exceptions to this policy! If one of these situations
occurs, the student must contact the teacher immediately to not be penalized. NO MAKE UP work will be
accepted without proper documentation and communication with the teacher.

Textbook(s):
Verderber. K.S., Verderber.R.F. (2012) The Challenge of Effective Speaking . Wordsworth USA. 15th edition

Reference Book(s):

1. Schwartzman.R., (2014) Fundamentals of Oral Communication

 Edition 3rd, Kendall Hunt Publishing company
 ISBN-10: 1465254579
 2. Hybels.S., Weaver.R., (2011) Communicating Effectively Edition: 10th , McGraw Hill
 Companies, Inc.,
ISBN-13: 978-0073534336 ISBN-10: 0073534331
3. Gallo.C., (2014) Talk like Ted Edition 1st, St. Martin Press, New York
ISBN 978-1-250-04112-8
Grading Policy:
Assessment Instruments Percentage
Quizzes 15%
Assignments 20%
Mid Term Exam 25%
Final Exam 40%

2
 Learning Outcomes (Los):

LO Categories After completing this course a student will Graduate Qualities

be able:
Knowledge LOs LO 1: To explain the importance of strong  Critical Thinking
Oral communication  Interpersonal Skills
LO 2: To identify the elements of Verbal &  Communication
Non-verbal elements of Oral communication
Comprehension LOs LO 3: To recognize the difference between  Critical thinking
various communication objectives – Inform,  Emotional
Persuade, motivate, debate etc. Intelligence
 Decision making
Application LOs LO 4: To effectively use the voice modulation  Technical Skills
and body language according to the  Decision making
communication objective skills
LO5: To keep the audience’s interest alive  Communication
LO6: To pronounce English correctly  Interpersonal skills
LO7: To use software aids for presentations  Creative thinking
 Writing skills
Analysis LOs LO 8: To analyze data to be used for content of  Critical thinking
presentations  Research skills

Synthesis LOs LO 9: To develop content for presentations and  Communication &

debate Interpersonal skills
 Technical skills
 Ethics
 Writing skills
Evaluation LOs LO 10: To identify areas of improvement in  Technical Skills
the Oral communication of others and suggest  Interpersonal Skills
corrections.  Critical thinking
 Emotional
Intelligence

3
 Course Outline:
Week Contents
1  The beginners’ check
Importance of Communication
skills
 Tips and the four major
factors involved in
communication
 Goals, types, channels, and
barriers in communication
2  The differences between oral
and written com...
 A talk on plagiarism
 THE ART OF CONVERSATION
 Verbal and non verbal
 Advanced reading article
3  The Seven Cs of
Communication
 Non-discriminatory language
 Audience Analysis
 You attitude
4  PHONETICS
 Interactive phonemic chart
from British Council Website
 Guidelines to Listening and
Speaking
Activities
(Case studies, role-plays, movie clips, exercises,
presentations, home assignments)
Class Activity:
Starter, showing a video clips, ice breaker
A quote on oral communication to generate whole class
discussion
Home Assignment:
Read an article of your choice from any newspaper/magazine
and come prepare to discuss in class what you read (with
reference)
Class Activity:
Discussions on the articles read.
Video watch:
A video on team work will be shown
Class Activity:
Students will identify the problems and revise the sentences
using you-attitude.
Home Assignment:
Choose a topic to convey a message using verbal and non
verbal communication
Video watch:
A funny video on English pronunciation
Class Activity: (role play)
1. Conveying message through short plays Quiz# 1 (5)
5 to 8 min for each play

2. A work sheet on phonetic transcription

 Listening skills
5 Effective listening
Importance of Listening
Barriers to effective listening
Listening comprehension practice
Class Activity:
IELTS practice listening tests Quiz# 2 (5)
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-
tests/listening-sample-test-1/listening-section-1

66.  Verbal Communication Class Activity:

 Recounting events Recounting events (This is My Life) Quiz# 3 (5)
 Persuasive speeches 2 to 3 min speech
Home Assignment:
prepare a brochure to advertise your product
7 PRE-PRESENTATION PROCESS Video watch:
BEGINNING and THE ENDING OF A few sample presentations will be shown.
THE PRESENTATION Class Activity:

4
 Making/ Giving Presentations Brochures will be presented in class (group work)

8 Rephrasing/ Paraphrasing Class Activity:

What are the three devices for Students will rephrase and paraphrase a few brainy quotes
remembering information
Brainy Quotes

9 Video Watch: Job Interviews Videos- help prepare students

INTERVIEWING SKILLS for job interviews.
 Defining the objective of the Source:
interview study.com/video_library/Job_Interviewing_Videos.html
 Planning the questions Class Activity: Situation…Pretend you are the employer and
 Open ended and close ended make a list of five to 10 questions that might be asked during
questions the interview. Students will play the role of interviewer and
interviewee.
10 OVERCOMING THE STAGE Class activity: Hosting a radio show”
FRIGHT
 Maintaining Eye Contact
with the audience
 Using a confident posture
 Effective use of gestures
 Controlling Body
Movement
EFFECTIVE USE OF MARKETING COMMUNICATION
VISUAL AIDS  Selection of Target Segment
11  Augmentation of the message  Identify and relate product attributes with customer
with visuals/death by power needs
point/Placing of visuals and  Develop a product slogan
Graphics  Design promotional campaign

12 Managing Conflicts Video Watch: This is a hilarious one but at the same time
 What is Interpersonal there are great points. It's a win-win video!
Conflict? Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e632M8qEdyw
 What are some popular views
of conflict? Home Assignment: Students will work on role plays on
 Different Styles of Managing Conflict Management Styles.
Conflicts. Class activity: Communication Skills will be used that
promote successful Conflict Management
13  ETHICS CASE STUDIES Group work will be done
 Group discussions
14 Practice Impromptu and Students will be given different topics and asked to present
extemporaneous speaking off the cuff.
15 Mega Presentations Grand Mega Presentations will enable students to deliver and
present group presentations to large audiences in the
auditorium.

5
Marks Distribution of 100%:
Quizzes
Assignments/Case Studies: 20
Project/Project presentations: 15
Mid-term 25
Final Exam 40
Total 100

References:
1. Communication skills(2004) by Ferguson Library 2nd edition USA
2. Ellen, K. 2002. Maximize Your Presentation Skills: How to Speak, Look and Act on Your
Way to the Top
3. Mandel, S. 2000. Effective Presentation Skills: A Practical Guide Better Speaking
4. Schwartzman. R., (2014) Fundamentals of Oral Communication Edition 3rd, Kendall
Hunt Publishing company
5. Hybels.S., Weaver.R., (2011) Communicating Effectively Edition: 10th , McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.,
6. Gallo. C., (2014) Talk like Ted Edition 1st, St. Martin Press, New York

More Online Resources:

 http://www.talkenglish.com/instruction.aspxverbs.htm
 http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=ielts-grammar-quiz
 http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_listening_part1.htm
 http://aboutenglishlanguage.com/conversation