Bookclub - gain all the benefits from reading and discussing
What you'll learn
- Through discussion, deeper meaning of chosen books
- Benefits of reading widely
- Improved vocabulary
- Mental stimulation for the brain
- Knowledge enhancement
- Stress reduction
- Improve memory
- Develop analytical skills
- Improve focus and concentration
- Improve writing skills
Requirements
- Access to a library or bookshop
Description
First of all, this is not about starting a bookclub. This IS a bookclub. An online bookclub.
Here is how it works.
I choose a book. I give a link to the book so you can read reviews about it. Then (hopefully) you borrow it from your local library. Then, over a month, you read the book.
Meanwhile I am busy recording lectures about the book.
Ideally you will access the course during the month, see the lectures and start discussing the book.
By the end of the month I will have a) read the book and b) filmed lectures about the book.
You will have a) read the book and b) started discussing the book by c) watching the lectures as well.
Thus you have an online bookclub!
The first book is available for discussion: The Promise by Damon Galgut. It won the 2021 Booker Prize.
You will see from the starter lectures I only talk about the themes. As you read the book - and join in the discussion - so more lectures will be added.
In December a new book will be announced and I will start preparing the lectures.
Then in January, another book etc etc
So, in this online bookclub, you will gain so many things from the reading AND the discussion such as:
Improved analytical skills
Improved focus and concentration
Wider vocabulary
Improved writing skills
Knowledge enhancement
Improved vocabulary
...and many more.
This Course description will be updated as more books are chosen.
Who this course is for:
- Anyone who wishes to increase or gain the benefits as listed above
Instructors
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 10,262 Reviews
- 251,693 Students
- 143 Courses
Studied at:
· University of Oxford (Philosophy and Economics)
· Oxford Brookes (Teacher training)
· University of Glamorgan (Business and Economics)
Qualifications
· Professional qualifications at Masters level
· Business and Economics degree
· Examiner for four major examining boards, at ‘O’ and ‘A’ level.
· Three teaching diplomas plus CELTA
· Qualified fitness trainer
Key academic positions held:
· Principal Oxford School of Learning
· Director of Studies: St Joseph’s Hall, Oxford
· Head of Economics: Cherwell Tutors
· Head of Business and Economics: Pipers Corner School, Buckingham
· Founder: Almost Random Theatre
I have experience in four main areas:
a. Teaching (40+ years of face-to-face experience)
b. Running businesses and conferences
c. Acting in films and theatre
d. Volunteering for a number of charities
Teaching/Instructor experience
Face-to-face: MBA students on a 1-1 basis; at University; Grammar, Comprehensive and F.E. College. This has included being Principal, Director of Studies; Head of Business and Head of Economics at various times in the past 40 years!
I have taught: Economics, Business, Sociology, Politics, English Literature and Psychology.
I have also run seminars for Teachers of |Psychology, Sociology, Businessman Economics.
I have run Therapeutic Art groups at Care Homes.
The success of my Business and Economics students has been featured in several newspapers plus I have appeared on BBC.
Running businesses and conferences.
I started Oxford School of Learning in the 1980s. From the college came Marketing Education Services, OSL Training and Saturday tutors.
In 201 I started Almost Random Theatre and have taken actors to Poland and the Czech Republic as well as running Drama days at schools.
Writing: my plays are sold to schools; I have 100+ books on Amazon; I used to write a regular column for The Guardian and BBC Bitesize.
Acting in films and theatre
My plays are sold to schools. I have performed at Oxford and Brighton Fringes as well as appearing in 100+ films, national TV advertising campaigns and role-played a hospital patient for Buckingham University’s medical degree students.
Volunteering
I have worked/am still working for Care Homes, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Dystonia Society, Stroke Association, Stroke Club, Talkback, Oxford Recovery College, Tandem, Age UK and Sport in Mind. I’ve given my tutorial fees to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Dystonia Society. I currently have a GoFundMe page to help lonely elderly people.
- 4.4 Instructor Rating
- 5,446 Reviews
- 143,754 Students
- 85 Courses
Almost Random Theatre is a theatre company started in 2012. After putting on plays at Oxford and Brighton fringes, taking actors to Poland and Czech Republic, selling plays to schools, putting on many short plays in Oxford, visiting 60+ schools and running 'drama days' it was decided to...slow down.
The theatre's main contribution now is helping with numerous Art Therapy courses.