Thursday, November 24, 2016

TOP TEN TIPS OF EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE EVALUATION

I first presented this workshop at Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Club in November 2015 and another time at Tampines Changkat Advanced Toastmasters Club in December 2015.

Last night, I had the privilege of presenting it again at Duxton Toastmasters Club. I was given 45 minutes for the presentation but completed it in something like 20 minutes! I must have been speaking very fast. I need to learn to slow down.

First I set some ground rules for the participants.
Ground rules:
Listen attentively 
Take notes meticulously 
Participate actively

These are my TOP TEN TIPS for effective Language Evaluation. 

#1 Prepare your LE kit
Pen / paper / highlighter
Clipboard
White board marker
Fully charged phone to access online resources

#2 Prepare WOTD
Show the word, read it and give its function
Explain the meaning (s) of the word
Give some examples 

Eg. galvanise (verb)
To cause someone to suddenly take action, especially by shocking or exciting them in some way

Western charities were galvanised by TV pictures of starving children.

The prospect of his mother coming to stay galvanised him into action and he started cleaning the house.

#3 Organise your space
Decide on format:
Chronological vs topical
Lists vs mind map

#4 Decide on language categories
Brickbats:
Grammar, vocabulary , sentence structure 
Pronunciation

Bouquets: 
Alliteration, metaphor, similes, triads
Parallel structure,  contrast, rhyme, puns

#5 Write quickly and legibly 
Use notations or different colours
Use short forms or abbreviations

#6 Check or let it go?
If you can, use these resources to check any doubts you may have:
Dictionary.com & Thesaurus 
Google 
Speaker

If all else fail, let it go. 

#7 Select examples
For each category, explain the rhetorical device
Include 2-5 examples (or more if time permits)

#8 LE speech organisation
Three sections
  1. WOTD
  2. Brickbats
  3. Bouquets

#9  Be positive, end positively
Avoid naming and shaming
Avoid coming across as arrogant
End with an inspiring message or quote

#10 Expand your expertise
Experiment with new ways of presenting
Read widely and collect rhetorical devices
Have a love affair with words

"You don't have to be great to start,
but you have to start to be great."
- Zig Ziglar

No comments:

Post a Comment