West students trying to polish their speaking skills, or just cope with a primal fear, can get help from the Communication Assessment Learning Lab (CALL).
The lab was set up through a grant written by College of Human Services Dean Lesley Dimare and Communication professor Vince Waldron.
The lab offers mentoring, video-recording and on-the-spot feedback to help students master their speaking skills for both college and careers.
The lab's director, Meg McConnaughy, said the lab was not a new concept.
"Public speaking labs have been around for a while," she said. "Our goal is, through grant writing and locating other resources, to be able to open (CALL) up to all students, staff and faculty."
CALL covers many facets of public speaking, including speeches, panel presentations and group presentations.
"One thing we will not do," McConnaughy said, "is use (CALL) to practice for job interviews. The Career Services and Personal Counseling center in UCB 320 already has that program in place."
CALL will offer workshops on different issues of public speaking.
Multicultural Student Services Coordinator Elena Mitchell will collaborate with CALL to create an outlet for students whose primary language is not English to improve their confidence in public speaking.
"This is a growing need," Mitchell said. "As our population changes, as the institution grows, we're seeing more students that are not U.S. born seeking to advance educationally."
West campus education student Miguel Galindo said the lab would help him and others practice speaking before groups.
"While giving presentations, I know I'm nervous, but the professors tell me I don't show it," he said. "I think (a public speaking lab) would be beneficial, helping to learn the tricks of the trade."
Education student Thomas Taylor said the lab would help future teachers speak to classes.
"I think that it would be extremely beneficial, especially to people of our major," he added.
Currently, CALL serves only communication students, but hopes to expand throughout the entire campus and perhaps community-wide to train people to speak effectively and efficiently for a nominal fee.
Reach the reporter at sabrina.waletzko@asu.edu. This story was published via an agreement with the West Express, the student publication at ASU West.
