Speak Naturally - Speed, Fluency and Rhythm (8 Weeks) (SPN101)

The music of English speech is generally not found in textbooks. Yet it is one of the most important elements of speech. No amount of grammar and vocabulary can make up for not knowing how the overall speech flow should sound. In this course, we will concentrate on the ups and downs, the fast parts and slow parts, and the pauses and omissions in natural English speech. Students will be expected to practice and repeat useful passages, and so to build a base of personally valid models of speech. Because the habits of a lifetime cannot be developed in a course of limited duration, the instructor will help each student develop a personal viewpoint and habits of practice that will be useful in the future.

Special Note:
This course may serve as an alternative or supplement to GEC 400-level and 500-level courses.

Please note that this class will run on the following dates in the Fall 2010 semester:
9/22, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/8

Instructor: Ronald Scott
Ron Scott has been teaching English in and around Tokyo since arriving in Japan in July 2005. From Canada, Ron obtained both an honours Bachelor's degree in Drama and Psychology from McMaster University and a Master's in Drama Therapy from Concordia University.
An avid traveler, Ron travelled around the world on a cruise ship, running a recreational facility for children. Ron has also been acting since an early age, and is very active in the Tokyo English theatre community.

Due to his interest in acting, Ron is very interested in and specializes in teaching both natural English speech and rhythm and non-verbal communication and body language. He also a freelance writer and enjoys teaching written grammar and punctuation.