Speaking Consultations

We offer free, individual consultation types for anything you would like to work on. Learn more about our different consultation types here or click on the below to make your appointment today.

Speaking Groups

The Peer Speaking Practice Groups (PSPGs) offer graduate students and postdoctoral scholars opportunities to practice their oral communication skills. Students from any department or program can participate. Trained facilitators will lead the sessions.

These PSPGs are most suitable for international graduate students who want to practice their English-speaking skills in different situations and increase their knowledge about the differences in culture. Generally, the topics will be negotiated by participants and facilitators during the first session, but any additional topics can be brought up during the group meetings. Facilitators can also propose topics for each session.

Learn more about General Communication PSPGs

Register for Graduate Student PSPGs

Register for Postdoctoral PSPGs

These PSPGS are most suitable for both domestic and international graduate students who want to practice their interpersonal communication skills in different situations and increase their confidence in one-on-one interactions with others. Generally, the topics will be preset by the facilitator, but any additional topics or scenarios can be brought up during the group meetings.

Learn more about Interpersonal Communication PSPGs

Register for Graduate Student PSPGs

Speaking Resources

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Coffee, Tea & English

Improve your English and enjoy new friendships at a weekly virtual activity called Coffee, Tea, and English. During the pandemic, this friendly group of internationals and Americans meets by Zoom every Friday from 4:30-5:30 PM to discuss a variety of cultural and other relevant topics.  Coffee, Tea, and English is sponsored by Bridges International and Friends. For more information or to get the Zoom link, contact G.P. Foote: gpfoote@gmail.com or text: (515) 451-6015. 

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English Together

English Together is an English conversation group that brings together students, faculty, and staff from across ISU to form connections and build community while offering an opportunity for international students and scholars to improve their English. Through this connection, you will learn about various cultures and perspectives and help others to improve their English. It's a fun and rewarding experience! If you have any questions, please email issoprog@iastate.edu.

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Speaking Courses

Section 1: (Spring.) Skill building to improve oral presentation fundamentals for graduate students in any discipline. Principles and guidance in both personal speaking style and maximizing impact of presentation software. In-depth lectures and class discussions on all aspects of presentation skills. Video and anonymous peer review of individual speeches. If you are interested in signing up for GR ST 548X, contact Dr. Sarah Huffman at shuffman@iastate.edu.

    Register for GR ST 548X

    International teaching assistants (ITAs) are placed in GR ST 540 based on their results on the Oral English Certification Test (OECT). GR ST 540 courses can only be added to students' schedules by following the instructions below. Classes are kept small to allow individualized instruction. Priority is given to students who are currently on TA appointments. Students CANNOT enroll in GR ST 540 via AccessPlusClick here for GR ST 540 registration instructions.

    • Section A - Low-Intermediate Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on pronunciation improvement and greater fluency.
      Section A is for those with lower scores on Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and TEACH, or with particular language problems such as pronunciation. The focus is on improving oral English skills through focused practice: working on increased language fluency; analyzing the sounds of American English and how they're produced; developing monitoring skills; discussing and practicing effective communication strategies, such as varied clarification questions; discussing cross-cultural issues; practicing basic classroom communication skills such as eye contact, use of the blackboard, and asking and answering questions appropriately. Students prepare for and give 2 presentations that are videotaped for feedback and practice.
       
    • Section B/C - Intermediate Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on the prosody of speech as well as on interactive oral communication.
      Section B (fall semester only) is for those with middling scores on the tests or a variety of communication problems. The focus is on communicating in an American classroom: improving spoken English, including fluency, pronunciation, and grammar; using communication strategies that compensate for language problems; observing and discussing cultural differences; creating an interactive classroom; handling and responding to student questions; presenting information in an organized and effective manner; giving videotaped presentations and receiving individual feedback on them.
       
    • Section C (spring semester only) is for those with middling scores on the tests, and often these students are in their second semester of GR ST 540. It combines parts of section A and parts of section B depending on the individual needs of the students in the class. In other words, it will include work on oral language, communication skills, and effective classroom and teaching techniques. Oral presentations will be videotaped for self-evaluation and instructor feedback.
       
    • Section D - Advanced Spoken English: 3 Credits. The emphasis is on presentation skills, developing explanations, leading discussions, etc. in a teaching environment.
      Section D is usually for those who are at Level 2 on OECT. Students at this level are often already teaching recitations or labs for their departments. The class meets to discuss classroom and cross-cultural issues and practice skills such as explaining problems, leading students through a problem with questions, handling student questions and problems, organizing presentations, and pronouncing technical vocabulary. Students make several videotaped presentations which they evaluate themselves and discuss with their instructor. They observe and report on classes in their department taught by faculty and experienced TAs. The GR ST 540 instructor also observes the students' real classroom or lab teaching and gives them individual advice

    Register for GR ST 540