DIVISION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND LANGUAGE SCIENCES
EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME
MEDIA SKILLS – for non-native English speakers
Handling the media – TV, radio, print
Course tutor: Josette Lesser
Date: TBC 2016
Cost: £400
Max. no.: 5
Programme Aim
The media can make or break your reputation. Working with media specialist, Josette Lesser, this
intensive, interactive 2 day workshop aims to help non-native speakers of English handle print, radio
and television interviews in English more effectively, deliver messages more clearly and confidently,
and stay ‘on message’ under pressure.
Programme Objectives
To help delegates understand the requirements of print, radio and television journalists, develop their
skills in handling the media, design and/or strengthen their Key Messages and deliver these in a more
effective and influential way to an English speaking audience. Delegates will be provided with tips and
techniques throughout, and participate in ‘real time’ recorded interviews in each medium, with individual
coaching and constructive feedback throughout.
Please note that because of the specialist nature of this training, there will be a maximum of 5 delegates.
Programme Outline
DAY 1
9.30am
REGISTRATION
9.45am
Welcome
Personal objectives and learning requirements
Understanding media requirements
Journalists – friend or foe?
CPD@PaLS
Chandler House, 2 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 4204 Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 4010 Email: pals-cpd@ucl.ac.uk
www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/study/cpd
11.15am
BREAK
11.30am
Print press
Understanding the content and construction of newspaper articles
Fielding unsolicited enquiries
Practice interview
12.30pm
LUNCH
1.30pm
Key Messages: practical session*:
Choosing subject matter
Constructing content
Illustrating messages
Effective language
The subtleties of English words
Effective delivery
* Delegates will develop and work on their own messages
2.45pm
BREAK
3.00pm
Key Message practice - Radio interviews
Pronunciation
4.30pm
DAY 1 ENDS
DAY 2
9.30am
Radio
Understanding radio interviews
Giving “Soundbites”
Tips and Techniques
Engaging your audience
Vocal delivery:
Intonation and pitch
Types of microphone
Practice interviews
Review of language and pronunciation
11.15am
BREAK
11.30am
Handling questions
Handling the questions you don’t want
Staying ‘on message’
12.30pm
LUNCH
1.30pm
Television
Body language
Techniques for different scenarios:
Studio: one-to-one inteviews
Studio: panel discussions
Remote studios
On Location
What to wear
Practice interviews
Feedback and Development
2.45pm
BREAK
3.00pm
Practice interviews ctd.
Feedback and Development
4.15pm
Closing thoughts and questions
4.30pm
COURSE ENDS
At the end of the course participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Course Tutor
Josette Lesser is an established print and broadcast journalist, interviewer and an accredited PR
practitioner. She has worked as a communication coach and lecturer for over 16 years, and formed
her own training company, The Communication Experts in 2007: www.thecommunicationexperts.com.
She works both nationally and internationally, with clients from both the public and private sectors.
Josette is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, a Member of the Chartered Institute of
Public Relations, and a Member of the Association of Business Psychologists. Josette is a qualified
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and a regular tutor on the department’s Summer
Course in English Phonetics (SCEP).
Josette is co-author of the book “How to give the Ultimate Sales Presentation: The essential guide to
selling your products, services, and skills” which she wrote with sales expert Peter Kleyn.