Aarhus Intensive, Denmark Feb. 07
McGuire Course in Aarhus, Denmark, 15-18 February 2007
RD/CCI: Tommy Pettersen
CO: Ditte Aagaard Norup
On this course held in Aarhus, Tommy Pettersen was the instructor. He did a great job by being much disciplined added with a great sense of humour. That, indeed, rubbed off at the new students and old grads as well. Many of us old grads have looked forward to enjoy Tommy being the instructor again.
Thursday: 18 new students and about 45 old grads and refreshers were ready and excited in the course room at 9.00. Two of the new students were from Norway; two from Sweden, one from the Faroe Islands and the rest of them were from Denmark. It is funny to observe the new students’ attitude; even though they are looking forward to the course, almost everyone seemed repressed and had sad eyes with lack of self-confidence.
As the day went by, the light was switch on in many of the new students’ eyes. That, they think, was amazing on the first day already. There were some observers (parents, a boyfriend and a speech therapist) too and a TV-team who followed one of the new students.
In order to make some changes and introduce more challenges for the old grads during Thursday, they were separated into two groups and joined a separate split session. When the first group had a split session, the other group of old grads helped the new students. We had two split sessions that day for the old grads. The first one was called “Why are speech blocks so unpredictable” inspired by John Harrison. In the second split session, the old grads were going to sell a product or an idea, to the others by using the blackboard, apply Harrison’s topics and of course concentrate on the technique at the same time. The presentation where done in English and was a huge challenge to almost everyone, especially on the first day. After a while the old grads swapped to work with the new students. All grads did both sessions in due time.
Friday: One decided to leave the course. The rest of them went happily but excited out to take contacts with the old grads Friday afternoon. The new students were surprised by people’s friendly reactions, even though when the old grads were making a disclosure. In the evening, the old grads had a split session called “Speed Dating” where the objective is to get to know people. We had small-talk conversation with each other in one big group. From time to time, different old grads where given tasks and presented to situations by Tommy, they knocked on the glass, got the attention and “became” the role given. The topics varied between birthday-, wedding-, funeral-, Christmas parties, receptions and conference speeches. Indeed, a funny and good session regarding to ones everyday challenges.
Saturday: The new students found it fun to correct the old grads in their technique, when we went through the checklist, and they were quite good at pointing at the voluntarily mistakes made by the old grad. As always, Harrison’s workshop was a success both to the new and old students. This time, we had eight topics.
In the afternoon, the new students found the sport mentality in taking contacts, and everyone had good experiences. The climax of the course was of cause the public speeches. Generally on the course, the new students stood in line to be the first to report including on the box in the middle of Aarhus in a sunny weather with lots of curious people, who likes listen to the new students.
Saturday evening lots of feelings found expression. You could see the light in everyone’s eyes. I caught myself in smiling several times.
On the Saturday evening’s split session, the old grads were given a situation they where “set” to be at a conference dinner. They were going to develop small talk and the art of conversation skills in English, as well as developing listening skills by sitting with two long tables and find out certain bits of info about him and her sitting nearest. Finally, they were going to present one of them they have been talking with to the rest of the table, also in English. We all got to know each other a little bit better than before in a very humoristic way. It was a realistic session regarding to the real world too that helped all of us to make progress in similar situations.
Sunday: Every new student had a feeling of happiness and relief. Their eyes were shining, they were filled with self-confidence and they were ready to go home, telling the world they now were recovering stammers.
The refreshers and all the old grads did a very good job and remained disciplined. Without them coaching the new students so well, the results for the new students wouldn’t have been that good. Thanks to everyone that make the course such a huge success again. I don’t like saying goodbye. I rather prefer saying “I’ll be seeing you”.
Kind regards
Ditte Aagaard Norup
Course Organisator
.