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Published on 12/25/1995 All articles from this issue

Foothill College offers speech certificate program

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By Kurt Hueg

Special to the Town Crier

One of the first qualifications employers look for when hiring a person is strong oral communications skills, according to Foothill Speech Instructor Preston Ni. Because area businesses repeatedly request this training, Foothill College has re-instituted its Speech Communication Certificate Program.

Students can earn the certificate by completing three speech courses from a total of seven offered. Two courses need to be chosen from these four: public speaking; interpersonal communication; fundamentals of oral communication; or group discussion. One course is chosen from these three: argumentation, persuasion and debate; intercultural communication; or oral interpretation of literature.

In the public speaking course, students learn to effectively and confidently express their thoughts and emotions to an audience. Interpersonal communication teaches students how to communicate effectively on a one-to-one basis, both personally and professionally.

Fundamentals of oral communication is a new course to be offered spring quarter. In this hybrid of public speaking, interpersonal and persuasive speaking students can sample all the department offerings to better decide where they want to concentrate. In the group discussion class, students learn how to speak effectively in small groups of four to seven people.

Argumentation is also new, offered spring quarter. Taught by Steve Blanton, vice mayor of Los Gatos, the class features real life applications. Intercultural communication teaches how to communicate and relate effectively with people of diverse cultures. Oral interpretation of literature is a performance course, listed in both speech and drama categories. Poise, articulation and delivery are enhanced by discussing and performing great works of literature, said Carol Josselyn, who teaches the course.

Besides overcoming fear and building stronger employee skills, taking speech courses builds confidence, helps people explore their inner self and enables them to think on their feet, said Ni. Businesses often ask that speech courses be offered at the business location and Foothill fulfills such requests.

For more information, call speech certificate advisers, Josselyn at 949-7457 or Ni at 949-7440.