What is the course about?
To enable you to:
Converse more fluently and confidently in English, and be more easily understood by native English speakers.
Develop a free fluent and expressive voice.
Express your intentions with clarity in both professional and social situations.
What will we cover?
Physical release for posture and alignment.
Exploration and development of breath and its connection to voice.
Development of resonance, and pitch
Awareness and exploration of articulation, intonation and stress.
Themes and projects (to be negotiated during the first session) may include: reading aloud (poetry, prose or
play text), telling an anecdote/story, lecturing, improvised conversation, role-playing, business presentation.
Within this frame-work the tutor will aim to accommodate the specific needs of individual students.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Demonstrate an awareness of the body and its effect on the voice.
Establish a personal programme to develop relaxation and vocal release.
Develop improved breath capacity and support, resonance, pitch range and articulation.
Communicate and interact with confidence and fluency in both formal and informal situations.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have a ready understanding of spoken English, and be able to communicate fluently.
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
Speak English fluently.
Communicate in group situations.
Give and receive constructive feedback.
Read and respond to a range of texts.
Take course notes for your own use.
If you are new to voice classes please take a moment to read our
full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) before choosing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group, pair and individual work exploring personal key issues through improvisation and role-play.
Individual presentation of a variety of prepared material – either read, or spoken from memory: subject matter to be negotiated with individual feedback and notes. You will be encouraged from day one to analyse and support your fellow students’ work through positive feed-back and constructive criticism.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Hand-outs are supplied by the tutor.
Please wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes and bring a small hand-mirror; a note-book and pen. (Library membership is free and recommended.)
Suggested reading:
‘Your Voice and How to Use it Successfully’: Cicely Berry
‘The Right to Speak’: Patsy Rodenburg.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
For further development of personal confidence English Pronunciation Stage 1 or a Debating course.
Please refer to our
full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) as you consider which area you would like to study next.
