Special Classes and Workshops at the Gleacher Center

All of these classes will be held in downtown Chicago at the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center. Brief descriptions are below. To learn more and to register, please click on the link underneath the course title.

Professional Communication Skills for Nonnative English Speakers (Spring 2012)

(4 weeks) Mondays 6:00 - 8:30pm; April 16 - May 7.

Register here.

No matter how knowledgeable and experienced nonnative speakers of English may be in their professions, they can still face special challenges in situations such as expressing opinions, exchanging information, comparing differing views, and negotiating agreements. This course will provide guided practice in these areas, as well as employing appropriate vocabulary, speaking clearly, and listening effectively. All students will receive an assessment of their specific difficulties and suggestions for remedying them. The course concludes with an opportunity to rehearse your skills in a simulated professional gathering. 

Intensive Writing Workshop for Nonnative English Speakers (Spring 2012)

(1 day) Saturday, 9am - 4pm; March 31.

Register here.

Nonnative speakers face special challenges when writing in English. In this workshop, through a series of guided exercises and tasks, students will practice principles and techniques designed to improve their professional writing, examining issues such as formal versus informal language, patterns of discourse in English, genre-specific writing, and functional vocabulary. Students will also focus on addressing paragraph and sentence-level issues, with special attention paid to the most common errors made by nonnative speakers of English. The course will conclude with work on specific genres of written communication, including memos, formal letters or e-mails, and business reports.

Presentation Skills for Nonnative English Speakers (Spring 2012)

(4 weeks) Mondays, 6-8:30pm; March 19 - April 9.

Register here.

Effective presentation skills are essential to professional success. You need to make your points clearly and concisely, engage your listeners, and sell your ideas. Develop a relaxed and personable, yet professional style. Gain confidence using appropriate idioms. Employ speaking techniques beyond just words to convey your message. Build an arsenal of survival language to avoid being nonplussed. Practice effective techniques for handling Q& A. The course will include impromptu speaking activities and formal presentations.