Success starts here!
The TfCS Professional Series offers instruction in oral communication skills that are critical for the workplace. With specialized support in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and pragmatics, you will learn how to express yourself clearly and appropriately in a variety of contexts, including:
- Interviews
- Networking opportunities
- Presentations
- Giving critical feedback to colleagues
- Social events
And more!
Whether you are entering the workforce, considering a career change, or simply hoping to boost your intelligibility in professional settings, the TfCS Professional Series can help you meet your goals and communicate with clarity and confidence.
You can attend services in any order you choose, as many times as you’d like.
It’s never too early to start! Join us today!
“This program definitely helped me with oral English practice and corrected several mistakes which I had never noticed before! I felt much more confident speaking in interviews.”
— Masters in Financial Engineering (MFE) student and TfCS participant
Click on each service below to learn more.
Schedule: Weekly on Mondays, 12pm – 1pm (Spring 2022)
These small-group sessions provide an opportunity to prepare for working in the US by practicing common job interview questions and learning about critical social and language skills used in office culture. We’ll also provide tips for networking, business vocabulary, and more! Students are encouraged to bring their own questions about interviewing and working in the US.
Schedule: Twice per semester
Participants will discuss the basics of clear, professional communication expected of them during an interview. Students will discuss and practice topics such as clearly pronouncing their name, interests and school, using small talk, and calming their nerves. Participants will also participate in mock interviews for better perspective. This workshop is a must for nonnative speakers searching for internships or full-time employment.
Schedule: Twice per semester
If you sometimes find it difficult to make casual conversation in English, this workshop is for you! You will learn the skills necessary for successful and enjoyable conversations, such as choosing appropriate topics, asking follow-up questions, listening actively, and more. You will also practice making small talk in a variety of situations, from meeting a neighbor in the elevator to chit-chatting with a recruiter before a job interview.
Schedule: Twice per semester
This workshop is the starting point to clearer speech! A TfCS Speech Consultant will break down the secrets of true speech clarity, rhythm and intonation, as well as offer up 5 key truths of English pronunciation. This is truly a terrific starting point for any non-native English speaker who would like to improve clarity, become more comfortable speaking in class, and learn the most effective methods of practice.
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
In many cases, apologizing involves much more than simply saying, “I’m sorry.” Come to this session to learn about the factors that affect the language you use to apologize. You’ll examine low and high-stakes situations and discuss appropriate apologizing strategies for each. Role plays will allow you to receive feedback from the Speech Consultant.
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
It can be very difficult to refuse advice, a request, or an invitation from others, especially from someone of higher social status. In this session, you’ll first practice simple refusals in low-stakes situations using hesitation techniques, and then examine how direct and indirect language can be used for refusals in academic settings. You’ll then apply several language-based strategies for refusals in academic and professional scenarios.
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
Asking to borrow a book from a professor requires much more thought and finesse than asking your friend. The type of language used for requests can vary widely, and in this session, you’ll manipulate grammar to appropriately soften requests. You’ll also examine several situations involving a request, and act out role plays in order to receive feedback from the Speech Consultant.
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
How can we tell someone they are wrong without offending them? Come to this session to learn and practice a wide range of language-based strategies for giving critical feedback in a variety of authentic situations involving your peers, professors, and employer. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to receive feedback from the Speech Consultant!
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
Being able to describe line graphs clearly and correctly is extremely important for class, work, and even daily life. Just one incorrect word can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Come to this session to learn and practice the correct organization pattern, grammar, and vocabulary to describe a line graph with confidence.
Schedule: 3-4 times per semester
Being able to describe bar and pie charts clearly and correctly is extremely important for class, work, and even daily life. Just one incorrect word can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Come to this session to learn and practice the correct organization pattern, grammar, and vocabulary to describe bar charts and pie charts with confidence.