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
Instructor
I currently volunteer for:
Different Strokes (Stroke charity) - Ambassador
Age UK - running a book club
Tandem (Befriending)
NHS - Culture liaison
NHS - interview panels
Sport in Mind - Support
Multiple Sclerosis - Support Worker
Trinity Learning - - visit Primary Schools
Oxford Recovery College - tutor
Horton Hospital - Hospital radio
Story Telling Museum - guide
43+ years experience teaching Economics, Business, Sociology, Politics and other subjects in schools, universities and other colleges - State and Private Sector. Appeared in 100+ films (including corporate training and fitness videos). 100+ books on Amazon. Featured by the BBC, Polish TV, The Times, The Telegraph and...The Sun.
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
Business and Economics background
Set up and ran Oxford Conferences and ran 50+ Business/Economics conferences at schools - all fees to charity
Amazon Business/Economics books include:
Titles include:
· Case studies for Business
· Time management for teachers
· Creativity techniques in Economics
· Drucker in Business Studies
· Creativity in Business
· Business calculations
· Further applications of de Bono
· Applying de Bono
· Philosophy Games
Taught students at the University of Oxford , Brookes University and schools in the state and independent sector
Principal of Oxford School of Learning for 15 years
Created OSL Training and trained Business, Psychology and Sociology teachers
Set up Marketing Education Services in the 1980s and sold cassette tape recordings of my lectures at the University of Oxford
Featured in The Times, The Telegraph, the BBC, ITV and Polish national television owing to the success of my teaching techniques and subsequent success of my students.
Ex-Buyer for a major car company
Psychology and Motivation background
Author of 100+ books on Amazon (mainly Business/Economics/Psychology) including:
· GCSE Psychology thru Mind Maps
· AS/A2 Psychology
· AS Psychology thru Mind Maps
· A2 Psychology thru Mind Maps
· Lifestyle Plan
· The Internet and Psychology
Through his own business OSL Training has run training courses for teachers of Psychology
Writer of several plays about death and appeared in films dealing with death
Theatre and Film Career
· 2012 - set up Almost Random Theatre.
· Since 2012 the theatre has delivered workshops in Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic and Poland as well as 15 schools in England.
· Chris has written/directed over 50 short and 3 one-Act plays that have subsequently been performed in London and Oxford.
· Scripts for three of his plays have been sold, via an Independent publisher, to schools in the UK.
· Course-creator/author of Coping with Old Age and Death - one person's perspective.
· He has also had plays put on - and performed in - Oxford and Brighton Fringes, London, Scotland and Wales.
· Chris has appeared in over 112 films.
Charity/Wellbeing work
· Ambassador for Heart UK
· Stoke Lead and member of Research panel for the Stroke Association
· Board member of Stroke Club UK
· Ambassador for Different Strokes (charity)
· Member of PHC (Public Health Collaboration) UK
· Author of 6-volume Lifestyle Manual
· Author of other Lifestyle books on Amazon
· Originator of the Holman Protocol
Nothing in any of Chris's courses should be interpreted as linking to or representing any of the above stroke organisations.