Oral Workplace Communication (OWC)
About OWC
What distinguishes you from all others and AI will be your soft skills and this includes your words and how you use them. Your words are the spark that ignites ideas that will take off and make the difference in your field. Your ability to marshal your ideas, give critical feedback in meetings and to people, to give pertinent and insightful analysis that shows a razor-sharp brain without an acidic sharp tongue, galvanize a team, lead your company to success, comfort the disappointed and re-ignite their mojo, all this and more comes from your ability to communicate.
So, if you have taken a course in business communication, or you got an A for project work, it does not mean you are fully equipped for oral communication at university or the workplace. The oral communication committee offers targeted and focused workshops in advanced skills.
These workshops are designed to give you personalized hands-on practice and feedback that watching online tutorials cannot give you.
Our workshops are designed to give just enough theory, so you know there is evidence for why the principles and practices work, and maximum practice and coaching time.
From packing a punch with your words yet giving nonjudgmental but constructive feedback, you will take communication from transactional to relational.
Communication is key to showing your sphere your value-add. What you can say and how you say it is what makes you a bright spark!
Workshops
OWC x NUSGS Graduate Workshop series
19th August 2026, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
So, what is the point of your research? Transforming awkward networking questions into meaningful conversations.
Have you ever struggled to explain your research to someone outside your field at a conference, seminar, or networking event? This interactive two-hour workshop will help you create a concise, engaging, and memorable introduction to your research, with the right balance of clarity and detail to spark meaningful conversations in professional networking settings.
During the workshop, you will learn how to:
- Develop a compelling and memorable 3-sentence academic self-introduction.
- Communicate your research to diverse and interdisciplinary audiences.
- Use your voice effectively to engage your audience.
- Apply non-verbal communication and active listening skills to build rapport and meaningful connections.
- Navigate networking situations with confidence and professional polish.
What to bring:
Please bring a physical object that represents your research, and dress comfortably. We will be taking you through a series of physical exercises for tension release, effective posture and optimal voice use.
Workshop Facilitators
Jinat Rehana Begum
Instructor, Centre for English Language Communication
Jinat Rehana Begum currently teaches academic communication to postgraduates for the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC). She has taught communication, language, literature, and pedagogy to learners from diverse age groups and backgrounds. She is particularly interested in non-verbal communication and active listening, and their essential contribution to effective communication in both academic and workplace contexts. elcjrb@nus.edu.sg
Instructor, Centre for English Language Communication
The workshops are open to all NUS students/staff unless specified. Booking availability on a first-come-first-served basis.
For enquiries related to this event, please contact elcbox70@nus.edu.sg.
Ask OWC about:
- The workshop you are interested in.
- Customizing one of the workshops for your residential college or hall - free
- Customizing one of the workshops for your department or organization – chargeable at preferential rates for NUS staff.
- A workshop you would like us to offer in the near future.
- Preferred timings for workshops – we will look for trends in timing.
Getting to the CELC Seminar Room (02-30)
We are located across from the Central Library and AS8, next to Techno-Edge and NUS IT
To reach the CELC Seminar Room (02-30) from the main entrance, enter through the glass doors and continue straight ahead. This will lead you directly to the CELC Seminar Room (02-30).
For those arriving via the car park, proceed to Level 2 using either the lift or the stairs. Upon reaching Level 2, follow the corridor signs to the main lobby of the Centre for English Language Communication (CELC). The CELC Seminar Room (02-30) will be located on your left.