FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Using English and Music (Workshop)

Have you ever considered that we can also improve our English language skills through music?  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a renowned American poet and educator, famously stated that music is the universal language of mankind (Gottlieb, 2023). Indeed, music plays a vital role in our lives, and the English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC) of English Language Centre organized the workshop titled “Using English with Music” facilitated by Mr. Joshua Lee, ELC Senior Instructor of English, on 26 April 2023. The workshop was focused on learning English through music which can be helpful for students in relieving stress and enjoy their studies.

It began with an interactive activity in which participants discussed the lyrics and the song patterns of the popular song ‘Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars. Through this exercise, the instructor introduced the grammar points of “if conditional” and “future tense”. He also introduced the application of the analogy, metaphor, simile, as well as the use of reduced form of English words used in the song composition. The participants completed a quiz online which identified these points while listening to the song.

After that, Mr. Lee introduced the website: Ultimate guitar tabs which is a good tool for learning how to play songs on different musical instruments. Some participants were then invited to play a song together using the instrument they brought with them. Overall, the workshop aimed to teach participants about the relationship between music and language, while also provided practical knowledge about grammar and musical instruments.

The workshop was attended by students from both the graduate and undergraduate programme.

Reference:

Gottlieb, J. (2023, February 9). New Harvard Study Says Music is universal language. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/11/new-harvard-study-establishes-music-is-universal/ 

Written by Alan Chan Kuan Lon and Manna Chio Man Teng

Mr. Lee demonstrating the use of English in music	Students discussing the English language components of a composition
Demonstration of a song composition is like writing an essay	Students singing along with English sign language
Students singing along with English sign language
Students singing along with their musical instrument (1)	Students singing along with their musical instrument (2)

Thanks a lot for your attention. 

Best Regards,
English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC)
English Language Centre
Faculty of Arts and Humanities

FAH-ELC EWCC Student Activity Write-up: “Communication Month” (March)

Dear UM students,

The English Writing and Communication Centre (EWCC) of the English Language Centre (ELC) of  Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) presents you the following write-up for the “Communication Month.” In March 2023, the EWCC has held various events to celebrate the joy of speaking and effective communication under this theme!

The featured activities include an Open House event, three workshops in the “Guest Talk Series” and three workshops in the “Academic Workshop Series”.

1.“Open House” Successfully Concluded on 8 March

After the successful Writing Month last semester, the ELC-EWCC decided to hold a Communication Month this semester. The Open House event aimed to let more UM students know about our center and our services. It also provides a great platform for students to make new friends and communicate in English.

We were glad to see many students come to our center, either for asking English learning advice or simply to have fun. The event brought an amazing vibe to the center and the students were highly engaged in our activities and enjoyed themselves.

As a launching activity, the Open House allowed more students to get to know about our upcoming activities, which they found very precious opportunities to improve their English.

2. “Presentation and Public Speaking Skills” by Ms. Miranda Ma Successfully Concluded on 9 March

This is the first EWCC workshop, which is an academic workshop on “Presentation and Public Speaking Skills,” held on 9 March. The ELC was honored to have our Senior Instructor, Ms. Miranda Ma, share some tips on improving English speaking and presentation skills. 

With interactive activities, students were highly engaged in the workshop and found the workshop a good platform to speak in English and the lecture very useful. It was an amazing speaking activity where college students could improve their delivering skills and engagement with the audience in a presentation.

3. “Public Speaking Guest talk” by Ms. Natacha Ilagan Successfully Concluded on 15 March

In the second week, a guest talk on “Public Speaking” was held on 15 March. The ELC was honored to have invited Ms. Natacha Ilagan, the co-coach of the UM public speaking team, to share some tips on improving English public speaking skills and audience engagement.                     With interactive activities, students had the chance to enlarge their knowledge and word banks, practice their public speaking skills regarding different topics, and receive professional feedback from our guest. It was an amazing speaking activity where college students could improve their delivering skills and engagement with the audience in conversations.

4. “The Impromptu Speech Workshop” by Mr. Cyrus Yung and Ms. Stella Sio Successfully Concluded on 16 March

In the second week, a workshop on “Impromptu Speech” was held on 16 March. The workshop mainly aims at raising students’ awareness towards the importance of practicing impromptu speech, and preparing themselves for any improvise speech and conversation. With this objective, our English Language Teaching Assistants (ELTA) have introduced to students some tips to train quick thinking and cope with the nervousness when delivering an improvise speech.

With interactive activities, students were introduced to different manners and aspects in speech. Students also had the chance to criticize speeches on specific topics so that they could have a better concept on what is considered a good speech. It was an amazing speaking activity where college students could improve their delivering skills, and have a better idea on how to equip themselves for the future.

5. Academic Workshop on “Effective Persuasion in Presentation” Successfully Concluded on 21 March

In the third week, a workshop on “Effective Persuasion in Presentation” was held on 21 March. The workshop mainly aimed at sharing with students some specific skills and strategies to improve their persuasiveness in public speaking, in order to successfully convince the audiences. With this objective, students were given the opportunity to present their persuasive speech on different topics.

The EWCC was honored to have invited Mr. Emanuel Roth Soares, who is a professional lawyer and consultant, to share with us some knowledge in the law field and the skills to debate and negotiate. This workshop provided the participants to gain more insights into legal communication skills and the chance to put the knowledge into practice. Through the interactive activities in the workshop, our participants were equipped with better communication skills in personal and professional contexts.

7. “Hospitality and Tourism Guest Talk” Successfully Concluded on 29 March The EWCC welcomed the last activity of the Communication Month 2023. The EWCC was honored to have invited Ms. Sitti Tan, an expert in the field of Hospitality and Gaming Management, to share with us her working experiences in several luxurious hotels and some specific communication skills in the workplace. As Ms. Tan was an alumnus of our university and majored in Hospitality and Gaming Management, this guest talk has attracted many current students in this major. The students found her sharing section and lecture very helpful to their studies and internships.

Thanks a lot for your attention.

Best Regards,
English Writing and Communication Centre (EWCC)
English Language Centre
Faculty of Arts and Humanities