Advanced Speaking and Listening Project

University of California, Irvine via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/speaking-listening-capstone

Introduction

### Course Review: Advanced Speaking and Listening Project on Coursera If you're looking to elevate your public speaking and listening skills to the next level, the **Advanced Speaking and Listening Project** on Coursera offers a comprehensive and engaging experience designed for those eager to present academic topics effectively. This course isn’t just about speaking; it integrates research, interviews, visual aids, and practice to create a well-rounded learning experience. #### Course Overview The Advanced Speaking and Listening Project is the capstone course that allows learners to consolidate the speaking skills acquired from previous modules into a final project. This project involves selecting an academic topic of personal interest, conducting related research, interviewing experts in the field, and ultimately delivering a well-organized academic speech. The entire presentation is recorded asynchronously, making it flexible for diverse schedules. **Why Take This Course?** The course stands out due to its practical approach, pushing learners to apply what they've learned in real-world settings. By not only developing a presentation but also engaging in interview processes, learners gain a deeper understanding of their chosen topics. The ability to create visual elements enhances communication skills, ensuring that spoken words are supported by impactful imagery. #### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Introduction** - Students kick off the course by exploring the essentials of delivering a clear, structured academic speech via video format. This section reinforces the importance of video presentation and offers tips on how to record oneself effectively. 2. **The Interviews** - This week focuses on interviewing experts, where learners prepare targeted questions, chat with individuals in their field, and gather valuable insights. This practical step is crucial for providing depth to the chosen topic and showcasing the ability to synthesize information from various sources. 3. **The Plan** - After collecting data, learners will sort through their notes to identify key points for their presentations. Writing an outline at this stage is vital for organizing thoughts and ensuring that the presentation flows logically. 4. **Create a PowerPoint or Other Visuals** - Utilizing visuals is an essential part of effective presentations. The course encourages creativity, allowing participants to create engaging and informative slides using PowerPoint or alternative formats that suit their style. 5. **Practice Presenting** - Here, learners dive into practice mode, rehearsing their presentations first without recording, then with the camera. This step emphasizes the importance of timing and familiarity with content before the final recording. 6. **Submit Your Project** - In the concluding week, students finalize their recordings, edit them, and prepare for submission. The course highlights the significance of reviewing the video to catch mistakes, ensuring a polished final product. #### Recommendations The **Advanced Speaking and Listening Project** is perfect for anyone looking to advance their public speaking skills, whether you are a student, professional, or simply someone looking to communicate better. The combination of research, practical exercises, and creative presentations makes this course engaging and beneficial. I highly recommend this course for those who want a structured approach to mastering the art of public speaking. The focus on asynchronous video presentations allows for flexible learning while still maintaining the pressure and expectations of an academic environment. Whether you aim to enhance your academic performance, improve your professional presentations, or simply gain confidence in public speaking, this course has the right approach to help you attain those goals. With its comprehensive syllabus and practical focus, it’s a worthwhile investment in your personal and professional development. Embark on your journey towards becoming a proficient speaker with the **Advanced Speaking and Listening Project** on Coursera!

Syllabus

Introduction

In this capstone, learners will create and present an effective, well-organized speech in a comprehensible manner on a topic in an academic field of the learner's choice. The speech will be presented via asynchronous video. You must be able to record yourself and share your video.

The Interviews

This week, you will do some interviews to help inform you about the topic you are presenting on. You will write some questions and talk to several people in the related field of study. You'll then compile the data from the interviews and use it effectively in your presentation.

The Plan

After you interview several people, look at your notes and find some details to include in your presentation. These outside perspectives will give weight to your assumptions and show that you are knowledgeable about the topic. Write an outline of your presentation and find some pictures to accompany your words.

Create a PowerPoint or Other Visuals

Last week, you should have gathered some images you want to use in your presentation. This week, you'll put those together into an attractive presentation format. PowerPoint is very common, but you can be creative and come up with something else that you think looks good.

Practice Presenting

This week, you should finish preparing and start practicing your presentation. Practice first without the camera. Get used to the words you want to say. Practice your timing with the visuals you'll be using. Then also practice doing the presentation with the camera. Before you record the whole presentation, do a short part of it and check the quality. Fix any problems this week before you do the final recording.

Submit Your Project

This week, you'll finish recording and editing your presentation video and submit it for grading. After you've practiced several times and checked the quality of the recordings, record the final video. Make sure you listen to the whole video before you submit so you can catch and correct any mistakes before it's too late.