Academic Debate and Discussion

Target Group

Academics who are competent and fluent in English already but who would like to take these skills one level higher still by adding further facets and skills.


Workshop Goals

• to help participants refine their discussion and debating skills
• to prepare for spontaneous conversations and little chats
• improve pronunciation, vocabulary and fluency through individualized feedback
• to build confidence in participants’ English speaking skills

Workshop Content

• Extending and improving vocabulary, argumentative and persuasive linguistic structures and communicative competence for the context of debate and discussion
• Practising the moves in formal academic debate
• Participating in spontaneous and formal conference discussions  
• Individually tailored help with academic discussions and talks (e.g. dealing with questions, opportunity of tailored "dress rehearsal" workshops if required)
• Adapting to communicative needs required within largely non-native speaker settings ("English as an International Language")

Location, Date and Time

Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Wednesday, 16 April 2014, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Wednesday, 7 May 2014, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Wednesday, 21 May 2014, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Wednesday, 4 June 2014, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm

All registered participants will be informed of the location by email one week before the event.

Fees and Registration

This workshop is open to a limited number of participants. The registration deadline is 26 February 2014.

Please note that you should notify us before the registration deadline if you are unable to attend the workshop. Otherwise the full fee will be charged.
Please let the Personnel Development and Planning Office know if you will not be attending. There are often waiting lists for the workshops, and this will give one of your colleagues the chance to attend. In addition, if we can fill the vacancy with someone from the waiting list, no cancellation charges will apply for you.

To sign up for this workshop, please click "Register" at the bottom of this page. For any further information please contact Birgit Amon (birgit.amon@wu.ac.at, DW 4448).

The course fee is €30.

Dr. Margit Ozvalda Studium (Anglistik und Komparatistik) sowie Doktorat (Anglistische Sprachwissenschaft, 2003) an der Universität Wien 1998- 2007 Universitätsassistentin am Institut für Englische Wirtschaftskommunikation Seit Oktober 2007 externe Lektorin am Institut für Englische Wirtschaftskommunikation Seit 1993 Englischlektorin an mehreren Bildungsinstitutionen (FHs, Erwachsenenbildung) im tertiären Bereich in Österreich Forschungsinteressen: Englisch als internationale Sprache, World Englishes, Identitätsforschung, Lehrmaterialforschung, pragmatisches Sprecherverhalten vor allem in Konfliktsituationen