CIE workshop to focus on oral communication skills

Purdue instructors and teaching assistants can learn about best practices, scholarship of teaching and learning, and resources to address the growing international student population at Purdue in seminars offered by the Center for Instructional Excellence.

As part of the series, April Ginther, director of Purdue's Oral English Proficiency Program, and Nancy Kauper, testing coordinator for the Oral English Proficiency Program, will present "Best Instructional and Assessment Practices in ESL Oral Communication" at 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 28) in Hicks Undergraduate Library, Room 980D.

Active learning classrooms require students to share their ideas and ask questions in class, groups, teams, and with lab partners and instructors. Full participation in the educational opportunities that a Purdue education offers requires ongoing development of oral communication skills. This workshop focuses on how instructors can effectively incorporate group work, pair work, and self- and peer-assessment of presentations in order to create strong learning communities and foster the development of students' classroom communication skills.

Faculty and staff, and graduate students who are currently teaching -- or those who plan to teach in the future -- are welcome to attend. To register for sessions, go to http://cie2sp13.eventbrite.com/.