Technique of Job Hunting Skills

Session  :  1
Time       :  9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
By           : Katie

The aims of the session for students were to practise presentation skills, opening a presentation and asking questions about information from a presentation. As for the lecturers, the aims were to discuss concerns they have about teaching employability skills, identify strategies that could be transferred to other class and discuss strategies for differentiation.

 

In the warmer stage participants had to decide on the meaning of the pictures with gestures. That triggered off some surprising discoveries of how different people interpret certain hand gestures in their culture. Next, participants made a mind map on the most important aspects of giving a presentation. Participants were reminded to keep it short and simple (KISS) in the opening phase of a presentation.

 

In the preparation stage, participants worked in group and practised giving the opening part of their speech individually with different topics as written on the KISS cards. The rest of the group members monitored and made notes of the errors using the Useful Language section on the worksheet. In providing differentiation activity, blank cards were available for any participant who completed the task early to try at preparing their own presentation opening without any guidance.

 

 The practice stage was on asking questions at the end of a presentation was truly engaging, as participants had to ask questions on what they thought the drawings on the board were. This was then followed up with the participants (in pairs) drawing pictures and repeating the activity on their own.

 

Reflections/Impact

The session introduces the gradual process of preparing students for a presentation, making it seems feasible and manageable even for struggling learners. The brilliant idea of working in pairs first before proceeding to group level will positively build up the students’ confidence before venturing to a class level. Furthermore, the idea of injecting differentiation task caters not only to the beginners and intermediates but the advanced students too making it more challenging.

Recommendations

This is a wonderful idea for us to consider, adopt or adapt in our teaching and learning especially on the topic of oral presentation skills. Perhaps by introducing the task gradually, we could slowly ease the students’ anxiety level and at the same time provide support and guidance before they are thrown into the lion’s den. The shy and terrified learners will most likely appreciate the support provided.

Written by:

Teh Phaik Sim,

Politeknik Kota Kinabalu