Conference Skills 2021
Mgr. Robert Helán, Ph.D.


COURSE PRE-REQUISITES
•Students should have minimum knowledge of English corresponding to the B2 level of the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages.
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Students must write a motivation essay (in the Conference Skills discussion forum) demonstrating
their level of English knowledge, explaining their motives for attending the course.

COURSE AIMS
•After completing the course, students will be able to:
- write effective conference and MA thesis abstracts
- create quality presentations in terms of language and design
- prepare and deliver engaging presentations
•Students are going to receive a detailed feedback on their written work.
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SYLLABUS
•Introduction to the course
Features of academic writing
Features of public speaking
Abstracts and the writing of abstracts
Introductions and how to write them

SYLLABUS
•Presentations (structure, language, design)
Effective presentations
Tips, tools and strategies for conference skills
Aspects of conference English:
- delivering a welcoming speech
- introducing presenters
- chairing a section
- small talk

TEACHING METHODS
•Online lectures
Student oral presentations
Individual/pair/group work
Discussions of relevant issues
Written reflections
Final presentations

ASSESSMENT
•Active participation during the course
•Oral presentations from required reading
•Final presentations (language and design)
•Abstracts

TO GET THE 4 CREDITS and
THE A GRADE:
•Active participation
•Collaboration with classmates (e.g. providing feedback)
•Completion of assignments (HW, blog)
•In-class presentations
•Final draft of the abstract
•Final presentations
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LITERATURE
–SWALES, John. Aspects of article introductions. Ann Arbor: University
of Michigan Press, 2011. x, 94. ISBN 9780472034741.
–WALLWORK, Adrian. English for presentations at international conferences.
1st ed. New York: Springer, 2010. xv, 179. ISBN 9781441965905.
–SWALES, John. Abstracts and the writing of abstracts. Edited by Christine
B. Feak. [Ann Arbor]: University of Michigan Press, 2009. xv, 88.
ISBN 9780472033355.
–POWELL, Mark. Presenting in English : how to give successful presentations.
Boston: Thomson, 2001. 128 s. ISBN 1899396306.
–SWALES, John. Genre analysis : English in academic and research settings.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. xi, 260. ISBN 0521338131.
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