Beginner Courses
Beginner Courses
Speech and Drama
This syllabus has been structured on a standardised basis of progression through the grades from elementary to grade 10. It incorporates poetry speaking, prose performance, reading aloud and drama performance. Practical aspects of the syllabus are backed up with the provision of a thorough theoretical knowledge on all aspects of voice production and stage craft.
On completion of grade 10, the candidate may then opt to enter for the Junior Associate Teaching Diploma course. This will enable successful candidates to set up their own private teaching practice in the genre of Speech and Drama where their students will be placed for examination with the Ulster Academy.
Theory is introduced in grade 1 and continues on a spiral to grade 10. The objective is to ensure that candidates learn and understand the techniques and skills that are relevant to the teaching of all aspects of speech, drama and communication. It also aims to enable their practical application. On completion of grade 10, candidates will have an excellent theoretical knowledge base for the continuance of their study to teaching diploma level.
Competency in Communication
This syllabus has been structured on a standardised basis of progression through the grades from preliminary to certificate level. This syllabus incorporates poetry speaking, performance of prose selections, reading aloud, public speaking and project work. This syllabus will be of particular benefit to candidates wishing to focus on their public speaking skills and techniques, while at the same time fostering a love of literature and the arts.
Public Speaking
This syllabus is designed to hone and develop inter-personal and speaking skills. It will prove invaluable to candidates in their personal and professional lives and help them to become more effective communicators. As candidates follow the programme, they will be introduced gradually to the skills and techniques that are required for all public addresses and engagements. On completion of this syllabus, it is expected that candidates will have become proficient impromptu speakers and powerful orators.
Choral Verse Speaking
This syllabus has been devised in order to give candidates an opportunity to participate in verse performance as part of a group. It is hoped that teachers will use this syllabus to afford their students the opportunity to understand the skills and strategies needed to perform as part of a choir. This programme may be utilised by teachers in both primary and secondary school settings who are dealing with large classes or groups.
Solo and Duologue Drama
This has been designed to introduce candidates to the art of dramatic performance. The syllabus allows the candidate to be as creative and adventurous as they wish, offering the opportunity to mix both modern and classical drama with improvisation and mime. Candidates will decide on this syllabus if their interest is for the most part on acting and performance for the stage and theatre. Teachers may choose this syllabus for students as an introduction to group or solo acting.
Examinations in this syllabus may be entered for by one or two candidates. If entered by one candidate, the programme will be of a solo nature. If entered by two candidates, each candidate will be examined individually and be given a separate marking card. However, in the duologue programme marks will be awarded for interaction between the two candidates to include timing, vocal delivery, movement and synchronicity between both actors. It is up to the teacher to ensure that each candidate has an equal opportunity to display ability.
Group Drama
This syllabus has been devised to provide candidates with an opportunity to participate in a dramatic performance as part of a group. It is anticipated that teachers will use this syllabus to afford their students the opportunity to understand the skills and strategies needed to perform as part of a team/cast. This programme may be utilised by teachers in both primary and secondary school settings who are dealing with large classes or groups.
Reading Aloud
The objective of this syllabus is to provide primary school teachers-in schools that do not have a specifically allocated speech and drama teacher-with a simple approach to teaching their students the skills needed for reading aloud.
Successful candidates will acquire the skills needed to read fluently and effectively. All candidates will be given the specific strategies and knowledge that will help them to understand the concept and importance of pause as well as vocal technique that not only communicates the story but also the sub-text of the story.
Speech and drama teachers may also use this syllabus for their students as a secondary pursuit alongside the other syllabi included in this volume.
The Ulster Academy will facilitate workshops for school teachers on the theory that must be understood by candidates wishing to pursue this syllabus.
Debating
This syllabus has been designed with secondary school teachers and their students in mind. Its aim is to provide a platform for students to discuss issues and ideas that exercise them, while at the same time honing their communicative abilities and research inquiry procedure techniques. It will open them to considering a wide range of ideology, opinions and viewpoints, developing participants to become well informed negotiators and effective communicators of the future.