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PL52155: Public speaking

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EXIC 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • A 3-minute speech in class on a topic of your choice. (EXIC 50%)
  • A 3-minute speech in the TV Studio on a topic given by the teacher. (EXIC 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate:
  • that you have assimilated practical public speaking skills by preparing and delivering speeches of varying lengths and debating a range of topics
  • that you can communicate in coherent and concise English
  • that you have effective presentation skills and are a confident communicator
  • that you have a critical awareness of current affairs



Synopsis: Develop your public speaking skills by learning to prepare and deliver speeches in English on a wide range of topics, and to debate in favour and/or against specific issues. You'll learn to analyse, anticipate and express ideas logically and coherently in English, and to present them confidently in front of an audience. These public speaking skills will also be very useful if you are taking units in interpreting.

Content: In this unit you will be required to prepare and deliver speeches on specific topics within a given timeframe and to answer questions from your peers. You will also debate issues in pairs, alternating positions for and against. A wide range of topics will be covered. You will either prepare the topics in advance or respond to an impromptu brief. Individual, formative feedback is provided to each student in class at least once every two weeks, with the first summative assessment in Week 5. For that first assessment, you will write a speech of approximately 3 minutes on a topic of your choice. The second assessment takes place in the TV Studio in Week 10 and the topic is set by the teacher.

Course availability:

PL52155 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian

PL52155 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM46 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Chinese
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian 
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Spanish

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.