The growing numbers of foreign companies investing or establishing offices in Indonesia has produced demands of not only knowledge/scientific mastery but also interpersonal skills. One of them is the ability to communicate in English.
The ability to communicate well in English will definitely be supportive in establishing professional relations or camaraderie with foreign workers and other people who come form other countries in general. This ability will be advantageous because it will open a wide range of opportunities of individual career development.
Thus, the International Relations Study Program (Prodi HI) of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar) in cooperation with the International Relations English Club (IREC) – of the International Relations Study Program’s Student Association (HMP Parahyangan Catholic University Parahyangan Catholic University (HMPSIHI) of Unpar hosted the “English Public Speaking Workshop” (EPIS). This annual event was held on Saturday (3/12) in the Operation Room, Unpar Rectorate Building.
The event was divided into two categories, namely: a formal and in-formal session. EPIS was hosted with the purpose of providing opportunities for people in general, especially the young generation of the greater Bandung area to be able to receive tutoring concerning Public Speaking in English.
In the first session, Stephanie Silitonga (a reporter for Metro TV) described that fear, nervousness and anxiety when speaking in public are natural. We need to be able to conquer our fear as a motivation to speak in Public.
In her explanation, Stephanie mentioned three main key strategies that should be observed when facing an audience directly. They are short words, short sentences and short paragraphs. Those three keys should be done by anyone speaking in public to prevent the boredom often felt by the audience.
The informal session featured Gilang Baskara, a HI Unpar alumnus who is a stand-up comedian and public figure. Gilang explained that Public speaking/Stage fright is the main phobia faced by many people. Even he himself as a comic is not used to using English in public speaking. But, he realize that the fundamental issue is self-confidence. By having-self confidence, we can apply our ability efficiently.
In order to build up our confidence, we can do several things. First we should not see our obligation to speak in public as a burden. Instead, we should take it easy. Do appropriate warming-up ritual is suitable so that we can be more fluent when speaking in front of the public.
Next, we need to focus on and master the topic of the talk so that we will know what will be talked about. Then we also need to find out who our audience are, whether they are groups of students, adults and so on.
Sylvia Yazid, the Head of the International Relations Study Program (Prodi HI) stated that EPIS is one of the programs of Prodi HI which originated from the wish of the university that graduates are not only equipped with knowledge but also with soft skills. The program is believed to be one of the effort to reach such achievement. In addition, the training on how to communicate across sectors, cultures, and age groups has become a basic need in this era.
This is also the case with the ability to use English properly, especially in public speaking, the need has become more prominent. It is not only necessary for those who are going abroad or those who want to become diplomats for HI students, no matter what the fields are. This language competence is a must.
“Even if they are locally based, they still have to communicate with entities abroad. So, English is no longer an advantage but a necessity. It’s a must already” she added.
Throughout the years, EPIS participants came not only from Prodi HI but outside Prodi HI and even from outside Unpar. To her EPIS has great potential to be developed in the future. By targeting the young generation especially students, EPIS is expected to help educate and prepare those who are entering the professional world after they finish their study in the future.
Source: Kompas – Griya Ilmu (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)
