https://padlet.com/cohenal4/breakout-link/eXwgvw5ljwlr2ybR-8wOpvY54EN75v6AY

Post a short video introducing yourself.  Include the following:

• Your full name and pronouns

• What you'd like to be called

  • Where you are from

  • Your field of work/research

  • Something interesting about you or something you'd like the class to know about you

  • A question you'd like your classmates to answer

Then, get to know your classmates by watching their videos and posting VIDEO responses to their questions. Listen to ALL of your classmates' videos and post a VIDEO response to AT LEAST FOUR CLASSMATES. Be sure to answer the questions your classmates ask in their post.

https://padlet.com/cohenal4/breakout-link/8G57v19k6zkdvdVX-8wOpvY54EN75v6AY

Post a VIDEO in which you use some of the circumlocution strategies we learned in class to describe an object you choose. Do not tell us the object. Instead, use circumlocution strategies to communicate that object and let your classmates try to guess what object you are trying to communicate.

Then listen to some of your classmates' videos and try to guess what objects they are communicating. Post a VIDEO response (not a text response!) with your guess. Don't listen to your classmates' guesses first or you will ruin your chance to guess.

Post a VIDEO response to the following questions:

Which of the strategies on the Active Listening chart do you use most frequently when speaking English? In which situation? Why? Which do you use least frequently? In which situation? Why? Which would you like to try to use more?

Instructions: Click on each link below to watch (and participate in) each part of the video where I explain the important aspects of pronunciation that impact comprehensibility. Each video runs about 12-14 minutes, so be sure to have enough time and take some breaks between each part. 45 minutes is too long to sit and watch videos straight through without stopping!

Part 1: Overview of Factors that Impact Comprehensibility

Part 2: Overview of Factors that Impact Comprehensibility

Part 3: Overview of Factors that Impact Comprehensibility

Now that you understand the information explained in the video, post a VIDEO to this Padlet answering the following questions:

1. What did you learn from the videos that you found most interesting, surprising, or useful?

2. Based on what you learned, what do you think your own strengths are in terms of factors of pronunciation that impact comprehensibility? What areas do you think you can work on to enhance your comprehensibility?

1. Download the chart

2. Add 10 word that you frequently use to discuss your field of work/study.

3. Try to find all the related grammatical forms of that word and add them to the chart.

4. Finally, for each word on the list, indicate the stressed syllable. If you are not sure, look them up in a dictionary.

5. Visit YouGlish.com and listen to how some of these words are pronounced. Practice pronouncing them.

In longer words, suffixes (word endings) can also give us a fairly predictable clue to word stress. In class, I promised to post a chart with some of the patterns in English that are influenced by common suffixes (word endings), so here it is!

1. Write 2-3 sentences to explain what you do in your field of work to a non-scientific audience.

2. Check where the correct word stress is and mark the stressed syllable by underlining or using bold for all multisyllabic words (words with more than one syllable).

3. Highlight the key words you want to emphasize with phrasal stress in order to help your listener understand clearly.

4. Practice several times speaking slowly and clearly and using word stress correctly and phrasal stress to emphasize the key words used to convey your work.

   Then record yourself.

You are each going to create your own Padlet that can be shared with middle school age students and teachers so that they can learn about West Africa and some of the innovative and important research and work that you are all involved in. Once you create your Padlet (a brand new Padlet, not just a new post on this Padlet), you will post a link to it here so that I and your classmates can visit and see your progress over the next few weeks. I have posted an example, but my example is not complete. It will just give you an idea of some of the things you can do. Be creative, but make sure to include more recorded video information than written information and don't forget to consider your audience and what you need to explain to them!

Also have fun and explore all the options that Padlet allows.

If you need help creating your own Padlet and linking to it, please see my Tutorial on Creating Your Own Padlet. It is also shown here on this Padlet page.

Click on the link above and then post your contact information and a brief bio or a link to your bio page on your university or research institution webpage under the appropriate research column so that guests can remember who you are and what you are working on.

Post a video response to EACH of the following questions (so two videos):

1. What did you learn that was most interesting in the research swap from class on May 7th? Why did you find this interesting?

2. How well/how easily do you think you communicated your work and interacted with your group members? Did you use any of the strategies that you have learned in this class? Did you encounter any miscommunications or difficulties that you had to deal with? How did you deal with them?

The sound isn't always good when I record. I try with my phone, but the sound doesn't even come through. I don't know why. Here's a summary of what I said in my recording:

Regarding my impression during our recent research swap, I noticed that I no longer have too much trouble understanding what people are saying, that is to say, I easily detect sentences and words from different speakers. This was not the case before the start of this training where I really had trouble following certain conversations. This is a great asset for me even if I still have a lot of practice to do in my own communication.

Thanks!!!

If this program receives continued funding and runs again in the future, what would you like to say about the program to future applicants or participants? Perhaps you want to leave an honest review of your favorite/least favorite parts of the program, how you feel you have benefitted, or perhaps you have some words of advice for them. Say whatever you'd like that you feel will be most useful, informative, or inspiring to future scholars in the program.

Regarding our English training program, I admit I gained more than expected. Alissa truly knew how to adapt the training to our various challenges and, above all, to our diverse professional fields. In a word, this program is a success. Moreover, the outcome of this excellent program is also the result of the efforts made by each participant.

So, if you are lucky enough to be part of it, here are some tips: be diligent and punctual in class, follow Alissa's instructions, actively participate in class discussions, and respect your classmates.

Finally, I sincerely thank Alissa for the quality of her teaching and her commitment; thank you also to Isaac and the ASC director, thanks to whom this program was made possible.

Thank you,

Moubarak.

Why?

• Encouragement + Practical Advice: Combines motivation with actionable tips (collaboration, mentorship).

• Authenticity: Reflects personal growth while highlighting program strengths.

• Call to Action: Urges future applicants to seize the opportunity.

To future participants:
This program is a rare chance to turn theory into impact. My favorite part? Collaborating with mentors and peers who challenged me to refine my project for real-world relevance. If you’re eager to grow—scientifically and as a leader—lean into every workshop, ask bold questions, and use the feedback. The network you build here will outlast the program. Take the leap; it’s worth it!

Why this works:

1. Balanced & Honest – Highlights strengths (mentorship, practical focus) without glossing over the effort required.

2. Actionable Advice – Encourages active engagement, a key to success in such programs.

3. Future-Oriented – Emphasizes long-term benefits (network, skills) to motivate applicants.

Thank you very much Alissa.

Sané

I hope you're all well! The course will soon be over for a week, and I already miss you!

This English course was indeed extremely useful. I still remember our stay at Michigan State University as part of the Scientific Exchange Program, which was the occasion for our meeting with members of the African Study Center, including Mr. Isaac. This meeting allowed us, after several exchanges, to have the opportunity to take these English courses remotely, and it was a great opportunity. Once again, thank you to the African Study Center team.

I hope you're all well! The course will soon be over for a week, and I already miss you!

This English course was indeed extremely useful. I still remember our stay at Michigan State University as part of the Scientific Exchange Program, which was the occasion for our meeting with members of the African Study Center, including Mr. Isaac. This meeting allowed us, after several exchanges, to have the opportunity to take these English courses remotely, and it was a great opportunity. Once again, thank you to the African Study Center team.

As for the English course, we were fortunate to have a remarkable teacher, endowed with unparalleled professionalism! Thank you, Alissa, for your patience. We learned a lot, and for me personally, the pronunciation lessons, word stress, and phrasal intonation were very useful. It was a framework for sharing and learning both English and new tools, including Padlet and Youglish, which many of us still didn't know.

Fascinating and useful scientific research and work is being done throughout West Africa that is improving the lives of people throughout the world.

Learn about some of the work being done by these West African scholars by clicking on their Padlet links and exploring their site.

Feel free to leave respectful comments and questions in the comment sections.