Maria Antonietta Perna’s Post

From the comments section of the Leiter Reports - A Philosophy Blog: “Good talks are typically better than good readings. And bad readings are typically better than bad talks.” - Fritz Warfield “I think reading out loud is getting less common. And not a moment too soon! I've never followed much of a paper that was read out loud, and I doubt that I'm very unique in this respect.” - Dennis Whitcomb These comments date back to 2014. If your peers were so critical then, imagine what they’d say today that long podcasts in interview form about any topic, including such specialised ones as philosophical and scientific topics, are appreciated by people in huge numbers. In general, if you’re a speaker at an international conference, speak, don’t read.  Here’s why: ⚫  The audience will find it hard to remain focused on your content and you’ll lose their attention.  Written papers are usually more complex and are meant for readers, not audiences.   ⚫  The audience will feel disconnected from you because as you read you could come across as less personal and approachable.  Little eye contact and, especially if English isn’t your first language and confidence in your ability as a communicator in English is low, a monotone and unclear pronunciation could make things even worse.  ⚫  An audience that is disengaged and disconnected from you, will most likely find your presentation boring.  This is not what you want. What you want is to get questions from your audience. What you want is to have people come to you at the end of the presentation and ask more questions about your work. What you want is to have people interested in introducing themselves to you for more exchanges of ideas and collaborations. Here's a simple 3-step process in your journey to impactful philosophy presentations: ➊  Distill your paper into three to seven bullet points. ➋  Try using only those bullet points to deliver your presentation. ➌  Record yourself as you deliver the presentation.  When you watch your delivery on video, take note of places where your handle on the English language is weak.  For example, do you get a specific sentence construction wrong?  You can’t remember a particular word or sentence?  Find the best remedy.  This can range from training yourself to deliver a particular sentence correctly to learning alternative, easier ways of expressing the same concept. Finally, rinse and repeat the process until you can watch yourself on video and feel so proud of the brilliant speaker you’ve become that you can’t wait to share your progress with others, from your family members to your peers.  Incorporate the valuable feedback in your practice to make your presentation even better and enjoy your success on the international stage. Repetition and competent feedback are your friends. How do you get ready to present at international conferences in your academic field? #englishpresentationskills #presentationskills

Are you tired of learning lots of words but not seeing much improvement in your English communication skills? There's a better way! Instead of just learning single words, try focusing on learning entire phrases or chunks of language. This approach can make a big difference in how natural and fluent you sound. Common phrases, also known as collocations, are just groups of words that often go together.  Learning these phrases can make your English sound more natural and help you avoid confusion. Why does learning common phrases matter? ⚫ Natural Communication: When you use common phrases, you sound more like a native or fluent English speaker. ⚫ Clear Meaning: Using the right phrases helps others understand you better, without any confusion. ⚫ Contextual Language: Learning phrases gives you the right words for different situations and topics. What’s ChatGPT? ChatGPT is like a smart friend that can help you learn English. It's an AI-powered tool that can chat with you and provide information on many topics. Ask ChatGPT for help. If you’re an academic philosopher working on the philosophy of mind, for example,  try these simple ChatGPT prompts: Prompt 1: "Provide phrases commonly used in philosophical discussions about matter and consciousness." Prompt 2: “I'm writing an essay on 'can matter be conscious?'.  What are some phrases typically associated with this question?” After ChatGPT gives you some phrases, such as "exploring the relationship between matter and consciousness" or "investigating the possibility of conscious matter", use them in your writing or speaking.  This will help you remember them and use them correctly in the future. So, have you tried using ChatGPT to improve your English communication skills? Let me know what you think! #englishvocabulary #englishcommunication #inglese

In this pronunciation mini lesson, you're going to find out how the duration of a vowel sound can make a huge difference to the meaning of a word. The implication is that nailing the correct pronunciation is hugely important if you want people to understand your message easily. Which aspects of English pronunciation do you find most challenging? #englishpronunciation #inglese

Who says the universe has no free lunches?  Meet Youglish, the platform where you can easily find tons of English words and expressions in as they're spoken in YouTube videos. Totally free and amazing! Here’s what it’s good for and some simple but effective ways you can use it to improve your English communication skills. #youglish #englishpronunciation #techeducation #listeningskills #inglese

Feeling frustrated by vague language that makes your English communication sound boring and repetitive? For instance, instead of using generic terms like ‘thing’ or ‘stuff’, such as “I need to look at some things for my paper”, it’s better to be specific like “I need to browse some journals for my paper”. If you find yourself relying too heavily on common adjectives like ‘nice’ and ‘good’, it’s time to step up your game. For example, rather than saying “That was a good presentation”, try expressing it as “Your presentation was thorough and well-organized.” Here’s why precision matters for academic philosophers like you: ⚫ Precision leads to clarity of thought. In academic philosophy, where ideas are often intricate and nuanced, clear and precise communication is vital for accurately conveying concepts. ⚫ English is the language of academia and research worldwide. Mastering precise English communication opens doors to collaborations with international colleagues, participation in global conferences, and publication in prestigious academic journals. Clear and precise English enhances your credibility and visibility in the global academic community. ⚫ Precision is crucial for delivering impactful presentations that engage and inform the audience effectively. By articulating your ideas clearly and precisely, you can capture the attention of your peers and contribute meaningfully to intellectual discourse in your field. Here are 3 simple steps you can take today to enhance the precision of your academic English communication: ➊ Expand your English vocabulary by reading academic articles, books, and papers in English. Take note of unfamiliar words and phrases, and regularly review and incorporate them into your writing and speaking. ➋ Engage in academic discussions or debates in English, both online and in person. Participate in seminars, webinars, or discussion forums where English is the primary language. Active involvement in discussions will help refine your language skills and express your ideas more precisely. ➌ Utilize language resources like online dictionaries, thesauruses, and language learning platforms to enrich your vocabulary and understand nuanced language usage. Consider enrolling in language courses or workshops focused on academic writing and communication skills in English. How eager are you to refine the precision of your English communication? #englishcommunication #inglese

Is grammar or vocabulary more important when learning a language?   To me, this sounds like a pointless question. Both are essential, and here’s why. Without words, communication would be impossible, but without grammar, understanding would be limited. As language learning expert Scott Thornbury points out, the less context you have when communicating, the more you rely on grammar to make sense of your message.   Take this scenario: You're on a Zoom call with your department head when someone knocks at the door.  You don't need a complete sentence to alert your colleague.  Just saying "the door" or pointing in that direction will do. But when recounting the incident later, you'll need proper grammar to convey the details clearly. And that’s not all!   Words have their own grammar too. Certain words need specific companions to make sense.   For instance, we say "depend on" instead of just "depend."   And some prepositions require verbs in the -ing form to function correctly, as in "interested in learning." So, instead of choosing between words and grammar, embrace both!   When learning new vocabulary, pay attention to how they're used in sentences. Keep a journal and jot down useful combinations. Practice using them in real conversations or writing tasks. Do you enjoy learning English grammar? #englishgrammar #englishvocabulary #vocabularybuilding #inglese

Feeling lost in today's rapidly changing world of Italian universities?   With academic institutions increasingly offering courses in English and embracing a more international outlook, the pressure to keep up is mounting. Take, for instance, the recent inaugural speech of the 2023-2024 academic year by Bocconi University's Rector, Francesco Billari, delivered entirely in English.  It's just one sign of the direction things are headed in this regard (https://lnkd.in/dxnMZTKw). Perhaps, you've done well on English tests in the past, but when it comes to everyday interactions with colleagues and students, your confidence is low.  And for graduates eyeing global opportunities, the stakes are even higher.  Without strong English skills, those chances could slip away faster than you realize. The reason behind the insecurities about your English skills is rather straightforward: you've likely devoted more time to learning about the language than actually using it. It's a common situation, similar to studying philosophy only through textbooks without engaging in lively debates or discussions. While mastering the intricacies of English grammar and vocabulary is undoubtedly crucial, true proficiency comes from real-world application. Consider this analogy: just as a philosopher isn't considered proficient solely based on their grasp of philosophical theories, mastering English demands practice in practical scenarios. It's not merely about understanding the rules, it's about actively using the language to communicate effectively. Reflect on your own schooling experience. You've likely spent countless hours dissecting English grammar rules, memorizing vocabulary lists, and analyzing texts.  While these activities hold value, they can only take you so far. True fluency in English—much like your expertise in philosophy—requires hands-on practice and real-life application. As you well know, in philosophy, true understanding comes from debating and challenging concepts. Similarly, in English, true fluency is achieved through meaningful interactions and expressions. So, if you're finding yourself struggling with English communication despite having studied the language in the past, remember this: mere study won't suffice. You must actively engage with the language. Just as a philosopher you engage in debates to master your craft fully, to unlock your linguistic potential, you must engage in English communication. Are you making the most of English in your everyday life? #englishcommunication #englishproficiency #inglese

If you’ve never thought of tongue twisters (‘scioglilingua’ in Italian) as a way to improve your pronunciation, intonation, and clarity of speech, try this one. As Italians, we tend to forget that in English the consonant ‘h’ is not always silent.  Practice saying this tongue twister over and over.   Even better, try changing the intonation, the volume, and the speed, and you’ll see some great results. Have fun with it :) Have you got a favourite tongue twister? #englishpronunciation #inglese

5 expressions common in academic English that will make your discussions sound more natural, fluent, and precise. Which expressions do you use most often? #englishforacademicpurposes #academicperformance #inglese

Are your presentations falling flat? Let's face it, speaking in a monotone way might be the culprit.  Surprising, right? Let's talk about intonation for a moment. It's the rise and fall of your voice as you speak, adding color, emphasis, and meaning to your words.  It's what keeps your audience engaged and helps convey your message effectively. So, here's the thing: if your intonation is wrong or you're speaking in a monotone, you're not just boring your audience – you're missing out on valuable opportunities to shine. Your lack of intonation might leave you feeling frustrated and self-conscious, holding you back from speaking up at international conferences and similar events.  And let's face it, if your audience can't stay engaged, they're not likely to remember much of what you say. Here are 5 straightforward things you can do to start improving your intonation right now: ➊ Pay attention to skilled presenters, native and non native speakers alike. Notice how they use intonation to emphasize certain words and phrases, then try to mimic their patterns. ➋ Record your practice presentations and listen back to analyze your tone.  Are you sounding flat or lively? Use this feedback to make adjustments and improve. ➌ Experiment with varying the pitch of your voice.  Start sentences with a higher pitch and gradually lower it to add interest and emphasis. ➍ Don't be afraid to pause for effect. Pausing can help break up your speech, emphasize key points, and give your audience time to process what you're saying. ➎ Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions to help you polish your intonation skills. So, it’s possible to break free from the monotone trap! Try out these tips and let me know how they work for you. #presentationskills #englishintonation #englishcommunication #inglese