Department of Applied Language Studies | Short Courses
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS 
Short Learning Programme (SLP)
About this course
Professional Presentations is a short course specially designed to improve your oral communication and enhance your presentation skills.
This short learning programme is aimed at delegates who want to develop effective presentation techniques and become more confident speakers.
Through interactive sessions, you will learn about voice control, relaxation and breathing exercises, articulation and resonance, preparing and delivering a speech, using visual aids and how to answer questions accordingly.
Once you have completed this course, you will have expert knowledge on presenting effectively.
Who should attend?
This course is ideal for any professional who is required to present information to an audience. Be it in a meeting, seminar, workshop or general interpersonal contexts; this course is for you.
How will this course help you?
Professional Presentations will help by teaching you important techniques to deliver and present information more confidently and effectively.
What will you learn?
Learning Outcomes
A delegate of this course should be able to:
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understand and identify attitudes to making presentations;
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identify concerns about making presentations and strategies to overcome these concerns;
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understand voice evolution and sounds;
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practise relaxation exercises;
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practise breath control, resonance, and articulation;
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prepare a five-to-ten minute presentation;
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analyse audience and do a purpose statement;
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generate ideas and gather material;
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structure presentation;
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prepare note cards and visual aids;
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rehearse and prepare the venue;
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deliver the presentation effectively;
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handle questions confidently; and,
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do a self-evaluation.
Content/Modules/Units
The following will be covered in this course:
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Audience and Purpose in Oral Communication
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Dealing with Concerns about Presenting to an Audience
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Breathing Exercises
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Relaxation Techniques
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Voice, Pitch, Tone and Articulation
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Formats of Presenting
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Working with Visual Aids in Presentations
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Evaluation Techniques
How will this course be taught?
This course will be taught using face-to-face instruction and self-paced learning (readings, tasks and activities, and online/home-based learning). You will be welcomed into a small group of delegates and taught by a qualified and experienced facilitator.
The face-to-face sessions will be interactive and the facilitator will engage with all delegates. Group numbers will be kept to a minimum to ensure increased delegate engagement during facilitation. The facilitator will utilise the face-to-face sessions to present the course content and interact with you by completing class-based activities and tasks that will apply your knowledge.
Depending on the delivery mode of this course, you might also be given access to our online learning platform so that you have access to course resources and be able to complete certain activities.
The language of teaching and learning (LOTL) of this course will be English.
How will you be assessed?
Delegates are required to prepare and present a five-to-ten minute presentation. The presentation will be recorded for self and peer feedback. Delegates have to hand in an audience analysis, purpose statement and note cards. A mark will be allocated based on a presentation rubric.
Learning Support
Your learning will be supported by a qualified and experienced facilitator. A dedicated administrative assistant will be assigned to assist you with any administrative matters. A tutor will be assigned when group numbers are high and the facilitator requires assistance in supporting your learning.
How will this course be delivered?
This course can be offered in the following modes of delivery:
Mode A: Part-time
Duration: 7 weeks, part-time (1 weekday evening face-to-face session weekly)
Requires 3 hours weekly: 2-hour face-to-face session* + 1 hour self-paced learning
Mode B: Part-time - Accelerated
Duration: 2 weeks, part-time (1 Saturday session [9:00-16:00] weekly)
Requires 8 hours weekly: 7-hour face-to-face session* + 3 hour self-paced learning
Mode C: Full-time
Duration: 2 days, full-time (consecutive weekdays)
Requires 16 hours of teaching and learning: 14 hours of face-to-face facilitation* (over 2 days) + 6 hours self-paced learning
*Face-to-face sessions will be offered at one of the University Port Elizabeth campuses unless arranged otherwise and stated explicitly.
Kindly check the provisional schedule to see if this course will be offered soon and the applicable mode of delivery. If this course is not included in the schedule, you are still encouraged to apply.
Course Fee and Payment Details
The course fee is based on the mode of delivery:
R3250* - Mode A - Part-time
R3550* - Mode B & C (light lunches and refreshments included)
*This is an estimate and is based on delivery at one of the Port Elizabeth campuses.
You may pay for this course via the following methods:
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Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
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Payment at the University cashiers
Kindly wait for provisional acceptance and a reference number before paying for this course.
Admission Requirements
A delegate:
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has to be older than 16;
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has to be able to communicate in the language of teaching and learning (LOTL) of this course; and,
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should have completed a relevant level of education deemed suitable for entry into this course (usually a high school qualification).
No prior knowledge is required for entry into this course.
Course Completion Requirements
In order to complete this course successfully, delegates have to attend the face-to-face sessions, complete assigned activities, and complete the final course assessment.
Certificate
This course has been accredited by the Unit of Continuing Education of the University in accordance with the regulations of the Council of Higher Education (CHE), South Africa.
Upon meeting the requirements and successfully completing this course, you will be awarded a Certificate issued by Nelson Mandela University.
Delegates who complete their courses online or via distance learning (where applicable) will receive both a digital and hardcopy of their certificates.
A certificate of completion will be awarded to delegates who attended the course and completed the final assessment.
A certificate of attendance will be awarded to delegates who attended at least 70% of the total notional hours of the course but did not complete the final assessment.
Suggested study path
Should you wish to study more than one DALS short course, then we recommend that you complete the following:
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Professional Presentations
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Business Writing
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Report Writing
How to Apply
If you would like to apply, then simply check when this course might be scheduled for delivery and then click on the APPLY link.
If there is an upcoming scheduled offering and sufficient delegates have applied and been provisionally accepted, and your application is also successful, then you will receive a confirmation to pay and register for the course.
You will be required to pay the course fee within 5 business days of being provisionally accepted.
The DALS SLP payment and cancellation policy applies.
You may also submit an enquiry with your expression of interest. Should an opportunity arise, then you will be invited to apply.
Provisional Schedule
Kindly visit the SCHEDULE to see if this course will be offered soon.
If this course does not appear on the schedule, you are still encouraged to apply as it will be offered once the minimum number of delegates have been provisionally accepted and have confirmed their registration.
Applying and being provisionally accepted will reserve your space in one of our face-to-face groups.
Companies or organisations sending private groups (of at least 10 delegates in a single group) are not subjected to the provisional schedule. Special arrangements will be made for corporate registrations.
Other courses you might be interested in
You might be interested in the following courses:
See all the DALS Short Courses here.