Communication skills: developing your writing, speaking and digital skills through creating a radio programme (ESOL level 1-2)

What is the course about?

This course will improve your speaking and writing and your overall communication and expression. You will learn how to make radio programmes, researching and presenting items on issues in the news, as well as general interest stories such as about art, films, sport, hobbies and so on. The content of the programme will be your decision. You will focus on how to prepare and write scripts and then deliver them orally. You will work on how to add emphasis to your speech, to choose the right words, speaking and write concisely, use an appropriate tone and create emotions. You will also develop your pronunciation and range of vocabulary. At the same time you will learn about how to edit and put together a radio programme.

What will we cover?

• creating and recording news and general interest radio bulletins
• identifying key features of engaging meaningful speech
• identifying how to structure talk and speech so that it is interesting and engages the listener
• identifying how to be concise and coherent
• using appropriate intonation, pacing, and pronunciation to effectively communicate news and other information and ideas
• identifying how to ask and answer questions in a way which emphasises what you want to say and conveys meaning effectively
• editing and putting together a general interest programme.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• create and record news and general interest radio bulletins
• identify key features of engaging meaningful speech
• identify how to structure talk and speech so that it is interesting and engages the listener
• identify how to be concise and coherent
• use appropriate intonation, pacing, and pronunciation to effectively communicate news and other information and ideas
• identify how to ask and answer questions in a way which emphasises what you want to say and conveys meaning effectively
• edit and put together a general interest programme.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for ESOL learners at level 1-level 2. No prior experience of presenting is required.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step-by-step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• Communication skills: develop your writing and digital skills through website design (ESOL level 1-2)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 reading and writing)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 reading and writing)
• A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 1 (level 1-2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 2 (level 1-2)
• Communication skills: read well, write well (level 1-level 2)
• Business English communication skills: from negotiating to report writing to presentations (level 2)
• Business English communication skills: communicating, managing, selling (level 2)
• English dialogue: speaking, listening, pronunciation, performance (level 1-2)
• Matters of opinion (level 2)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas. These include:
• Digital skills for business: presenting and managing professional-looking documents with Word and Excel - from reports to newsletters (intermediate)
• Discover the maths in the world around you: from nature to buildings (entry 3-level 1)
• Maths for business: the essential skills to run a company and make a profit (level 1-2)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.