ECH Program on Oral Communication- EMI
This program is aimed at educators who wish to hone their skills in oral communication in English-Medium Instruction (EMI) contexts.
It develops professors into clear and confident communicators in English, capable of teaching complex concepts using the structure, clarity, and engagement of the American teaching approach.
ORAL COMMUNICATION
English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Context
Clarity. Confidence. Teaching Excellence.
Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ)
OBJECTIVE
To empower faculty across disciplines to improve oral fluency, communicate clearly and confidently in English, and teach more effectively in an English-Medium Instruction (EMI) context.
CORE EMI PRINCIPLES
CORE EMI PRINCIPLES
Foundation of effective teaching in English.
Focus
-
- Communicating content clearly in English
- Supporting understanding in multilingual classrooms
- Creating structured and engaging learning experiences
Core Elements
-
- Clarity over complexity
- Structured delivery
- Scaffolding for understanding
- Comprehension checking
- Strategic use of language
- Student engagement
- Psychological safety
In Practice
-
- Use simple, direct language instead of complex or translated sentences
- Organize explanations using clear structure (e.g., What–Why–How)
- Break down complex ideas step by step
- Check understanding regularly through targeted questions
- Rephrase, repeat, and emphasize key concepts
- Encourage participation and interaction
- Create a safe environment where students feel comfortable speaking
Outcome
-
- Clearer and more effective communication in English
- Improved student understanding and participation
- More structured, engaging, and supportive teaching
🔵 SESSION 2 — FLUENCY & SPEAKING WITH EASE
From hesitation to flow
3.1. Sentence Clarity
COMMON SPEAKING PROBLEMS (EMI) — & HOW TO FIX THEM
🎯 Goal
Speak clearly, directly, and efficiently — not academically heavy
🔹 1. Over-Introducing Ideas
❌ “What we are going to do now is…”
❌ “What I would like to explain is…”
👉 Problem: Too long, slow, unnecessary
✅ Fix: Say it directly
✔ “Now, we will…”
✔ “I will explain…”
🔹 2. Wordy Purpose Expressions
❌ “In order to understand…”
❌ “In order to solve this…”
👉 Problem: Adds length without value
✅ Fix:
✔ “To understand…”
✔ “To solve this…”
🔹 3. Heavy Cause Structures
❌ “Due to the fact that…”
❌ “The reason why… is because…”
👉 Problem: Too formal, redundant
✅ Fix:
✔ “Because…”
✔ “This happens because…”
🔹 4. Empty Academic Fillers
❌ “It is important to note that…”
❌ “It is important to mention that…”
👉 Problem: No real meaning
✅ Fix:
✔ Remove it
✔ Or say the idea directly
🔹 5. Indirect / Weak Verbs
❌ “What we can observe is…”
❌ “What we see here is…”
👉 Problem: Weak, indirect
✅ Fix:
✔ “We observe…”
✔ “We see…”
🔹 6. Weak Sentence Openings
❌ “There are several factors that…”
❌ “There are many methods that…”
👉 Problem: Delays the message
✅ Fix:
✔ “Several factors affect…”
✔ “Many methods exist…”
🔹 7. Vague Intentions
❌ “What we are trying to do is…”
👉 Problem: Not clear, not direct
✅ Fix:
✔ “We aim to…”
✔ “We want to…”
🔹 8. Over-Complex Structures
❌ Long sentences with many clauses
👉 Problem: Hard to follow
✅ Fix:
✔ One idea per sentence
✔ Break into 2–3 sentences
🔹 9. Translation from French
❌ Long, indirect, complex phrasing
👉 Problem: Causes hesitation and confusion
✅ Fix:
✔ Think in English
✔ Use short patterns
🔹 10. Over-Explaining
❌ “It is important to understand that…”
👉 Problem: Slows communication
✅ Fix:
✔ Say the idea directly
🔹 11. Redundant Structures
❌ “In order to be able to…”
👉 Problem: Double structure, unnecessary
✅ Fix:
✔ “To…”
🔹 12. Lack of Structure
❌ Ideas presented without organization
👉 Problem: Hard to follow
✅ Fix: Use structure
✔ First…
✔ Then…
✔ Finally…
🔥 Golden Rule
👉 Shorter = clearer
👉 Simpler = more effective
🎯 What to Remember
You don’t have many problems.
👉 You have a few patterns that repeat.
Fix the patterns → improve your speaking.
Program FAQs
What is the course format?
The course is highly interactive, practice-based, and performance-driven.
Each session combines:
- Short, focused input
- Guided speaking practice
- Real teaching simulations (micro-teaching)
- Immediate feedback from the instructor and peers
Participants will:
- Record and analyze their own speaking
- Apply communication strategies to real teaching scenarios
- Engage in live activities using tools such as Poll Everywhere and Mentimeter
The course follows a progressive structure, allowing participants to build fluency, clarity, and confidence step by step.
Where will the sessions take place?
The sessions will take place at USJ (on campus), online, or hybrid.
What is the main objective of the course?
The Main Objective of the Course:
To transform how instructors teach in English by developing their ability to deliver clear, structured, and effective instruction in multilingual classrooms—moving beyond language fluency to achieve real student understanding and engagement in an English-Medium Instruction (EMI) context.
Who teaches the course?
The course is taught by Nada M. Salem, President/CEO of AFEE and IFWE.
Nada M. Salem is a passionate educator with extensive experience in leading academic institutions in the United States and abroad. Over more than twenty years, she has taught school students, college students, student teachers, teachers, and leaders. She co-created and co- taught a methods course for teachers at The George Washington University Graduate School of Education. Nada is the Co-Editor in Chief of “Teaching World Languages: A Practical Guide- Arabic Edition” (The National Capital Language Resource Center, Washington, DC).
Mrs. Salem holds a teaching diploma, two master's degrees, one in translation and another in education, and has successfully completed most courses (40 credits) towards a doctorate (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction & Educational Technology Leadership at The George Washington University Graduate School of Education. Additionally, she holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University. Mrs. Salem formerly served as Administrative Director and Assessment of Learning Coordinator for AACSB Accreditation at the GWU School of Business’s Master of Science in Finance Program. In September 2019, Mrs. Salem was selected as a WOMAN LEADER by the University of Maryland‘s Kahlil Gibran Chair for Values and Peace. She is a member of the Marquis WHO'S WHO® list of Prominent Business Professionals, and she was featured among Marquis Who's Who's Top Executives in Education and Leadership.
Mrs. Salem is the Founding President/CEO of the American Foundation for Educational Excellence (AFEE), an organization whose mission is to help, on a worldwide basis, influencers, leaders, HR professionals, and managers of educational institutions, profit and non-profit organizations and corporations, to pursue excellence by improving leadership skills, managerial competencies and educational programs, namely through face-to-face and online trainings. AFEE is an Approved Provider for both HRCI & SHRM.
Mrs. Salem is also the Founding President/CEO of AFEE’s subsidiaries, the Center for Excellence in Languages: Teaching, Editing, Translating, and Interpreting, and the International Foundation for Women's Empowerment (IFWE) which seeks to empower all women and help them thrive on the personal and professional levels, regardless of nationality and religion.
TERMS OF SERVICE: We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to reject or remove anyone who has registered or gained access under false pretenses, provided false information, or for any other action or behavior that we deem inappropriate, before, during or after the sessions, with or without prior notice or explanation, and without liability.
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