Enhancing Speaking and Presentation: Community of Practice

The Enhancing Speaking and Presentation Community of Practice provides designated voice and body language skills to enhance your speaking and communication skills.

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I really enjoyed the course content and the conversations as well as all the helpful feedback! I now feel much more comfortable with the basic elements of engaging speaking. - Virginia Hurdon

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OVERVIEW

Formerly Performance Institute (PI), the Enhancing Speaking & Presentation: Community of Practice group provides employees an opportunity to refine and practice their designated voice and body language skills in collaboration with others. Participants evaluate the various techniques required for articulating successful speeches through a variety of guest orators. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Enhancing Speaking & Presentation: Community of Practice is available to all employees.

SESSION DATES, TIMES, LOCATION

The program consists of 5 in-person practice sessions, with guest appearances from alumni speakers and access to online resources and learning activities across three semesters.

Practice Sessions for Fall/Winter 2024-2025

• Tuesday August 27th 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• Wednesday October 23rd 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday February 25th 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• Wednesday April 23rd 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday June 24th 1:30-3:00 p.m.

FORMAT

Come together with colleagues to set personal speaking goals and collaboratively work together to refine and practice your speaking and communication abilities. Participants meet synchronously (in-person) throughout the academic year to observe the practices and techniques from a variety of successful alumni orators. Through the integration of a variety of online learning resources and activities, participants are given the opportunity to practice and implement new techniques and skills together with their peers.

To register, or to find out more information regarding this new initiative, please contact Employee Learning.

Community of Practice Outcomes

Participants will have had the opportunity to:

  • Provide effective and constructive feedback to members on their speaking persona;
  • Utilize and demonstrate nonverbal aspects of speaking through poise/appearance, platform, eye contact and facial expressions;
  • Evaluate a variety of speaking techniques from various orators;
  • Employ the elements of pitch, articulation, volume and rate within an established group of learners.