Speaking Fellows offer a variety of workshops and one-on-one sessions. Navigate to each type by selecting from the list below.
> Workshops Open to the Barnard/Columbia Community
> One-on-One Sessions
> Attached Courses
Workshops: Public Speaking and the Intellectual Voice
Public Speaking and the Intellectual Voice is a set of workshops designed for the general Barnard/Columbia community. In both the "Giving a Presentation" and "Participating in a Class Discussion" workshops, participants learn the fundamentals of public speaking skills, practice speaking in front of a supportive group, and get personalized coaching from a Speaking Fellow. Barnard students of all disciplines are encouraged to sign up for one or both workshops, in any order. Columbia students enrolled in a Barnard course are also welcome to sign up. See below for a description of each workshop type.
Giving a Presentation (groups of 2-4; 2 hours): This workshop guides you through the presentation-building process, from the generation of ideas to your delivery. These skills can be applied to a range of contexts, such as presenting a research project or senior thesis, giving a speech for a special event, expressing your opinion on a reading for class, or even creating a short personal statement to have ready for a potential employer. In a supportive, peer environment, you can feel comfortable experimenting with your speaking style, building the confidence to become a persuasive, dynamic speaker.
Participating in a Class Discussion (groups of 3-4; 2 hours): This workshop focuses on seminar discussion skills. With the support of your peers, you will learn how to respond to your classmates' ideas effectively; how to challenge those ideas in insightful, productive ways; and how to take charge of and cultivate your speaking responsibilities at the seminar table. Developing these skills will help you become a more reflective, creative thinker, no matter how comfortable (or uncomfortable) you are speaking up in class.
Workshops are offered on a variety of dates and times from February 22nd - April 18th. Space is limited, so early sign-ups are encouraged. To reserve your spot in a workshop, register an account online >>
One-on-One Sessions
A one-on-one session gives you the opportunity to practice a specific presentation with the support of your own, personal Speaking Fellow. Your Speaking Fellow can work with you on a range of skills, such as:
- How to organize and structure your ideas
- How to create a persuasive, well-reasoned argument
- How to make key points in clear, precise ways
- How to use visual aids
- How to improve and polish your delivery
Speaking Fellows can work with you at any stage in the presentation-building process; however, the more material you bring to your session (i.e. an outline, any visual aids you plan to use, a practiced speech, or even just some ideas), the more you will benefit.
To give you plenty of time to revise and practice your presentation, we encourage you to schedule your one-on-one at least 3-7 days prior to your presentation date. However, you can schedule a one-on-one as early as one month in advance, and are welcome to make follow-up appointments.
One-on-ones for the Spring, 2013 semester are offered through May 6th, 2013. To sign up, register an account online >>
Attached Speaking Fellows (course-specific only)
If you are enrolled in a course with attached Speaking Fellows, please contact your Head Speaking Fellow for sign-up instructions. Her contact information should be listed in your syllabus (if not, contact Cecelia Lie at clie@barnard.edu or 212-854-8941).
