Oral Communication Links:
- Schedule an Appointment with an Oral Communication Tutor
- Oral Communication Courses
- Contact Oral Communication Program
- OCT Bios
- Be an Oral Communication Tutor
Related Links:
- Writing and Rhetoric Requirement (PWR)
- Get Help with a Writing Project
- Find a Tutor in a Specific Course
- Summary of Academic Resources
"My OCT helped a lot. I came in with tons of questions and she was able to give me good answers for all of them. Overall it helped to boost my confidence and I feel a lot better about my presentation now."
- Javier Fernandez, '09, Mechanical Engineering major
Get Help with an Oral Presentation
The Oral Communication Program offers courses, workshops, appointments, and drop-in hours that are open to all Stanford students. Oral Communication Tutors (OCTs), who work in Sweet Hall, can offer valuable feedback and advice to students who are working on the following:
- Designing and delivering oral presentations
- Preparing for job interviews
- Learning to use PowerPoint effectively
- Overcoming speech anxiety
The following questions and answers will help you become acquainted with using the program.
- How do I schedule an individual or group appointment?
- Where are OCT appointments held?
- What equipment is available during appointments?
- When are drop-in hours?
- What is the cancellation policy for appointments?
- What courses, workshops, and other resources are available?
How do I schedule an individual or group appointment?
- For Summer 2008: Click here to schedule an appointment.
Where are OCT appointments held?
- OCT appointments are held in Meyer Library Suite 123 or on the 4th floor of Sweet Hall. Your tutor will confirm your appointment location when you arrange an appointment.
What equipment is available during appointments?
- PC laptop
- InFocus projector
- Laptop cables (and Mac laptop adaptors)
- Podium and whiteboard
- TV and VCR
- Videocamera
When are drop-in hours?
- Drop-in hours are NOT held over the summer.
- During the academic year, drop-in hours are held Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., in Sweet Hall, Room 303. No appointment needed: first come, first served.
What is the cancellation policy for appointments?
- Cancellations must be made by 6:00 p.m. the day before an appointment. We ask that students who miss the cancellation deadline make every effort to come to their appointments and avoid missing them.
- Log into the online calendar, click on My Control Panel and look under My Reservations.
- Click Delete for the the appointment you wish to cancel.
- Click Delete in the pop-up window that appears.
- You will receive an email confirmation when you delete an appointment.
- After two missed appointments, students will not be able to schedule appointments for the remainder of the quarter. They are still welcome to visit OCT drop-in hours (Sunday-Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Sweet Hall, Room 303).
What courses, workshops, and other resources are available?
- Oral Communication Program courses. Students can enroll in one- to three-unit courses offered by the Oral Communication Program. These courses focus on topics such as formal and informal speaking, expanding vocal range and stamina, using visual aids effectively, enhancing confidence, and improving articulation.
- Drop-in Vocal Yoga Sessions. These sessions are open to the public and are held every Wednesday during the academic year, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Contact thomas@stanford.edu for location or more information.
- Oral Presentation Support through the Technical Communications Program. The Technical Communications Program in the School of Engineering offers drop-in tutoring and elective courses to help students develop their public speaking skills.