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There are 4 modules in this course
Individuals have a great capacity for vocal expression but most people haven’t had the opportunity to explore and develop it. By the end of this course learners will have gained knowledge of how the voice works, had a chance to experiment with different ways of speaking, and increased their confidence in their vocal expression.
This course is aimed at beginners but can serve as a useful ‘tune up’ for those who have some experience in this area or those who want to build upon prior learning. The only prerequisite is to be curious about voice in action and public speaking. Finding your Professional Voice takes the learner on a journey to discover how the voice works, how it can be optimised, their personal use of it, and how vocal impact can be developed in professional settings.
The content of the course is useful to all learners who have vocal capacity. A small number of the exercises require a degree of physical capacity, those learners with physical impairment, or those who do not wish to undertake the movement exercises, will still be able to gain useful skills provided by the MOOC content.
This first module focuses on building awareness and understanding of the voice. You'll explore what a 'professional voice' means and how to begin finding your own. The module introduces how the voice functions in the body and what may hinder its effectiveness. Through guided exercises, you'll develop greater self-awareness and begin to identify your current speaking habits.
What's included
7 videos14 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 34 minutes
Course introduction•2 minutes
What is 'professional voice'?•2 minutes
Elements of voice and speech •3 minutes
How the voice is made•6 minutes
Fight or flight response and voice•5 minutes
Mindful bodyscan •9 minutes
Confidence•5 minutes
14 readings•Total 149 minutes
Course structure and navigation•5 minutes
Learn effectively while developing your professional voice•5 minutes
The history of voice training in UK•10 minutes
Diaphragmatic breathing and its benefits•10 minutes
The movement of the diaphragm•5 minutes
What is the flight or fight response?•10 minutes
Self-awareness: what it is and how to cultivate it•10 minutes
Exercise: Becoming aware of your public speaking experience •10 minutes
Exercise: Finding confidence from within•10 minutes
Dealing with performance anxiety•30 minutes
How to build confidence...and spark it in others•14 minutes
One of the key components of speaking with confidence and impact is to understand and utilise the body in relation to voice and presence. Looking at areas such as release of tension, alignment, breath and projection, you'll discover new options that will help you increase your confidence and impact.
What's included
4 videos6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 25 minutes
Week 2 introduction•2 minutes
Releasing tension•7 minutes
Finding optimal alignment•8 minutes
Finding volume•7 minutes
6 readings•Total 55 minutes
How to build new voice habits•10 minutes
Further resources on alignment•20 minutes
Breathing basics•3 minutes
Optimal breathing•2 minutes
Exercise: Practicing breathing for voice•10 minutes
Week 2 summary •10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 2 quiz•15 minutes
Be Connected: understanding your audience and how to connect to them
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
This week will focus on considering your audience, thinking about your message and intention, and learning techniques to help your audience connect to your message. It will also look at how body language can help you increase connection.
What's included
5 videos6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 24 minutes
Week 3 introduction•1 minute
Considering your audience •6 minutes
Speaking with intention•3 minutes
Body language and eye contact•6 minutes
Grounding and centering•8 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
Exercise: feel, think, do•10 minutes
Exercise: Preparing for a presentation•10 minutes
Exercise: Intention and meaning•10 minutes
Exercise: body language•10 minutes
Ways to feel grounded•10 minutes
Week 3 summary•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 3 quiz•15 minutes
Be Impactful: Using emphasis for impact
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
Building on the work introduced in the first three modules, this week will look at some specific prosody tools and techniques that can be used to create more impact. It will also bring together all strands of the course - being aware, being physical, being connected and being engaging.
What's included
6 videos7 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 25 minutes
Week 4 Introduction•2 minutes
Emphasis in action•3 minutes
Articulation and its role in impactful speech•6 minutes
Different ways of varying pitch •7 minutes
Pros and cons of speaking at different paces•4 minutes
Course summary•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 65 minutes
Exercise: Identifying emphasis•10 minutes
Exercise: Articulation practice•10 minutes
Exercise: Your speaking speed •10 minutes
The power of the pause•10 minutes
Exercise: The importance of pausing•10 minutes
Week 4 summary•10 minutes
Course final checklist•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Week 4 quiz•15 minutes
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The University of London is a federal University which includes 17 world leading Colleges. With extensive experience in distance learning since 1858, University of London has enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality degrees across the globe. Today, University of London is a global leader in flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 45,000 students in over 190 countries, delivering world-leading research across the world. To find out more about University of London, visit www.london.ac.uk
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama was founded by Elsie Fogerty in 1906, as The Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, to offer a new form of training in speech and drama for young actors and other students. It became a constituent college of the University of London in 2005 and is a member of Conservatoires UK and the Federation of Drama Schools.
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Learner reviews
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3 stars
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P
PC
5·
Reviewed on Aug 25, 2024
this course is exceptional, this course really trying to draw attention towards yourself n provide you a toolkit to reflect your habits and patterns
J
JV
5·
Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023
This course really lightened up my mind on the essentials of presentation and public speaking. Thanks to the mentors from University of London and Coursera.
M
MS
5·
Reviewed on Nov 10, 2023
Excellent course. I would not expect anything less from UoLondon university system.
Practical and most importantly helped me to relax during my presentations.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.