PRONUNCIATION 1

 DISSERTATION TUTORIAL RECORD EDUCATION lesson 3

Audio script:

TUTOR:  Hello, Sandy. How have you been getting on with your dissertation?

SANDY:  Fine, and I've been working hard on the various action points we agreed on our last

tutorial.

TUTOR:  Do you want to talk me through what you've done?

SANDY:  Yeah, sure. Well, we agreed on three main targets for me to aim for. The first one was

to find out about suitable data analysis software.

TUTOR:  Yes.

SANDY:  And what I decided to do was to look through catalogues specialising in IT (1).

TUTOR:  That's a good idea. What did you come up with?

SANDY:  I found the names of two promising ones.

TUTOR:  Right.

SANDY:  But I also thought it'd be worthwhile talking to a lecturer.

TUTOR:  Oh right. Who did you see?

SANDY:  Jane Prince. Do you know her? She's in the Computer Centre. (2)

TUTOR:  Yes, of course, she's the new Head. (2)

SANDY:  Yes. Well, she was very helpful.

TUTOR:  Oh, that's good. Did she suggest anything in particular?

SANDY:  Yeah. She recommended software called Vivat and said I should book up for a couple

of practice sessions using Vivat.

TUTOR:  Great. I'm sure you'll find them useful.

SANDY:  And, of course, the second target was to draw up a survey checklist (3) which I ...

TUTOR:  Yes, you emailed me it last week.

SANDY:  Have you had a chance to look ...?

TUTOR:  Of course, um I think it's good. Very much on the right lines. I'd say your first two

sections are spot on. I wouldn't suggest that you change anything there, but in section three you really do need to have questions on teaching experience (4).

SANDY:  Yeah. I was thinking that section looked a bit short.

TUTOR:  Right.

SANDY:  And my third target was, do further reading on discipline.

TUTOR:  Oh yes. I mentioned a couple of writers, didn't I?

SANDY:  Yes, well I got hold of the Banerjee and I thought that was excellent.

But I'm afraid I didn't manage to get hold of the essays about classroom management - you know, the ones by Simon Ericsson. (5) The bookshop said it was out of print and the library doesn't have a copy.

TUTOR:  Oh right, and I'm afraid I've lent my copy to another student.

What I suggest you do is try the library again - this time apply for it through the service called special loans. Have you done that before? You're entitled to six books a year.

SANDY:  Yes. No problem. That's what I'll do.

TUTOR:  So, lots of useful work done.

TUTOR:  So, let's look at some new targets. We'll start by having a chat about your Chapter

One. I very much enjoyed reading it. Your written style is very clear and you've included lots of interesting descriptions of education in your target area. I've just got a couple of suggestions for some additional work.

SANDY:  Of course. Could I just ask - what do you think I should call it?

TUTOR:  Well, I'd go for something like Context Review (6). What do you think?

SANDY:  Well, short and to the point.

TUTOR:  Exactly. Now, as regards specific areas to work on, I'd be quite interested to have a

few more statistics about the schools in the different zones (7).

SANDY:  Oh, that wouldn't be a problem. I can get them from the Internet.

TUTOR:  Great, and although you did make a reference to quite a few different writers, I think

you should aim to cite more works written later than 2000 (8).

SANDY:  OK. That's more difficult, but I can try When do you want that done by?

TUTOR:  Oh, it's not urgent. Um I should aim for the end of term (9). But in the meantime, I

think you should also be thinking about Chapter Two.

SANDY:  Should I be drafting it already?

TUTOR:  No, but I think you should note down its main sections.

SANDY:  Yes. You know, I always find that the hardest part.

TUTOR:  I always find it helpful to put some ideas on index cards.

SANDY:  Yeah.

TUTOR:  Um ... and then you can sort them, and even lay them out on the floor. It's a real help.

SANDY:  Well, I'll certainly try it! When would the deadline be for that?

TUTOR:  My advice would be to get it done before you embark upon the research (10). You can

always change it later if you need to.

SANDY:  OK. I'll get going on that then.