FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Presentation Techniques – Pechakucha (Workshop)

Have you ever wondered how you can make your presentation stand out in class?  Participants of the 2-session workshop on “Presentation Techniques-Pechakucha” learned how to do just that.  The workshop was hosted by ELC Senior Instructor, Dr. Jean-Paul Duquette on the 8^th and 15^th of March 2023.

In the first session, students were introduced to the Pechakucha technique of making a presentation. They were given time to quickly create a Pechakucha-style PPT based on their individual plans for their career.  Students practiced presenting the PPT under a time limit of 20 images x 20 seconds.  They were then given a task to prepare a more comprehensive presentation and PPT following their passion.

The second session started with Dr. Duquette giving a Pechakucha presentation about his passion and interests.  After that, participants gave their prepared Pechakucha-style PPT using the 20 images x 20 seconds time limit with striking images and brilliant presentations.

Through this workshop, students learned and experienced Pechakucha presentation techniques that they can adopt in their course requirements.  One of them expressed that the workshop has been useful in giving ideas on how to make attractive slides, and another said that the workshop is practical, intuitive and interactive.

1. Dr. Jean-Paul Duquette introducing Pechakucha to participants.	2. Preparing for Pechakucha presentation practice.
3. Doing a quick research for images to be used in the presentation.	4. Practicing Pechakucha-style presentation under the guidance of Dr. Duquette.
5. Dr. Duquette giving a Pechakucha presentation about his passion and interests.	6. Students giving their prepared Pechakucha presentation.
7. Students giving their prepared Pechakucha presentation	8. Students giving their prepared Pechakucha presentation
1st session – Group Photo	2nd session – Group Photo
Best Regards, English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC) English Language Centre Faculty of Arts and Humanities

FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: VARK (workshop)

Have you found out yet which type of learner you are?  The English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC) of the English Language Centre (ELC) of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities hosted the workshop “Understanding Your Learning Style” by ELC Senior Instructor, Mr. Mark Wong, on 22 February 2023. During the workshop, students learned about different styles of learning which would help them understand their own learning preferences.

The workshop started with a demonstration of folding a paper into a character which students had to follow step by step.  While some were successful in completing the task, others had difficulty in keeping up.  It was then explained that individuals learn differently, and Mr. Wong introduced the visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (VARK) styles of learning.  Each learning style was discussed in detail to help students understand why they sometimes find some tasks easy, and others more difficult to complete.  Students then completed an online survey which determined the type of learner they are. Some students found out that they are visual learners, some reported they are the reading/writing type, and others realized that they are a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learner.  Through this workshop, students gained a better understanding of their own learning styles.  Suggestions were shared on how to help students make the most of their learning preferences and have a good and memorable experience at university. 

Students expressed that they enjoyed the conversations and discussions during the workshop, which gave them some ideas and helped them figure out their learning ways.

Students following the demonstration of folding the paper into a character.	2. Folding the paper step by step.
3. Students completing an online survey to determine their learning styles.	4. Mr. Wong explaining the different styles of learning.
5. Students sharing their own learning styles.	6. Group Photo
Best Regards, English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC) English Language Centre Faculty of Arts and Humanities

FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Communicate with Self Portraits (workshop)

What’s the difference between a self-portrait and a selfie?  This question was clearly answered in the 2-session workshop, “Communicate with Self Portraits”, hosted by English Language Centre of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Senior Instructor of English, Mr. Hugo Teixeira, on the 8^th and 15^th of February 2023.

Students developed an understanding of the use of English related to contemporary and historical photographic trends.  In the first session, students considered the grammar and vocabulary of photography (i.e. colour, composition, camera functions and movement). They analyzed historic photographs of the pioneers of photography.  Students were also shown self-portraits of contemporary famous photographers and how they use these to communicate ideas and feelings. 

In the second session, students presented their own photographic compositions.  Using the language components as well as techniques of photographic execution they learned in the first session, they exchanged in-depth analyses of each other’s photographs.  They also explained how successful they were in communicating their own ideas and feelings.  At the end of the workshop, students shared that they learned more about photographs, and how to see themselves and others in pictures.  They also expressed that they gained a better insight into methods of how to share their thoughts in a discussion.

1. Mr. Hugo Teixeira introducing vocabulary and grammar of photography	2. Participants applying the language components
3. Discussing photographic compositions	4. Analyzing self-portraits
5. Analyzing photographic messages	6. Participants presenting and discussing their photographic composition under the guidance of Mr. Teixeira
7. Explaining the messages behind their photographic compositions	8. Discussing the feeling behind the compositions
9. Group Photo

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

FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Communicate with Self Portraits (workshop)

What’s the difference between a self-portrait and a selfie?  This question was clearly answered in the 2-session workshop, “Communicate with Self Portraits”, hosted by English Language Centre of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Senior Instructor of English, Mr. Hugo Teixeira, on the 8^th and 15^th of February 2023.

Students developed an understanding of the use of English related to contemporary and historical photographic trends.  In the first session, students considered the grammar and vocabulary of photography (i.e. colour, composition, camera functions and movement). They analyzed historic photographs of the pioneers of photography.  Students were also shown self-portraits of contemporary famous photographers and how they use these to communicate ideas and feelings. 

In the second session, students presented their own photographic compositions.  Using the language components as well as techniques of photographic execution they learned in the first session, they exchanged in-depth analyses of each other’s photographs.  They also explained how successful they were in communicating their own ideas and feelings.  At the end of the workshop, students shared that they learned more about photographs, and how to see themselves and others in pictures.  They also expressed that they gained a better insight into methods of how to share their thoughts in a discussion.

1. Mr. Hugo Teixeira introducing vocabulary and grammar of photography	2. Participants applying the language components
3. Discussing photographic compositions	4. Analyzing self-portraits
5. Analyzing photographic messages	6. Participants presenting and discussing their photographic composition under the guidance of Mr. Teixeira
7. Explaining the messages behind their photographic compositions	8. Discussing the feeling behind the compositions
9. Group Photo

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