Work one-on-one with a trained consultant and receive personalized support and feedback on your presentation. Appointments are open to all students and are available in 30-minute or one-hour slots. This resource is best for students who are seeking individualized support and have specific concerns or questions about specific assignments or presentations. We are happy to help students at any stage in the process from brainstorming and outlining to delivery practice and visual aid development.
What Should I Expect?
Each consultation is unique, but you can expect to discuss your goals for the session and what support you need. Your consultant will tailor the session to your needs and preferences, and they can help you with a variety of presentation skills, including brainstorming, constructing your argument, organizing your presentation, building a visual aid, and more. Your consultant will likely close your session by recapping what you did together, reevaluating your goals, and making recommendations for moving forward. They might recommend making another appointment if you need additional support, or even refer you to one of our other campus resources. We will adapt to you to provide the personalized support and feedback you need! Appointments are generally offered in 30-minute or 1-hour blocks. To make the most of your session, we recommend you consider the following:
- Bring your assignment sheets and all notes or drafts.
- Visit us early in the working process. Talking with a consultant early on can ensure that speakers understand assignment expectations.
- Arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your appointment may be given to someone else.
- Be prepared with ideas about the specific things you want to discuss and the kind of feedback you’re looking for.
- Schedule a follow-up or practice appointment to build on your first session.
- Do not wait until the last minute! Appointments fill quickly, and your session will be more productive if you give yourself time to incorporate feedback, prepare, and practice your presentation.
Questions? We can help!
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment, click the “Make an Appointment” button above or on the homepage. The Speakers Workshop shares a scheduling system with the Writers Workshop at the University of Illinois: illinois.mywconline.com. You will need to register an account to log into the system. Once registered and logged in, make sure that you choose Speakers Workshop from the drop-down menus on the left or top of the page. This will take you to the Speakers Workshop schedule.
Next, click on any WHITE box to make an appointment. Follow the instructions on the Appointment Form. You will receive an email confirming your appointment. If you do not receive an email or cannot see a YELLOW box indicating that your appointment is confirmed, make sure you choose “Create Appointment” at the bottom of the intake form.
How can I find my appointment location?
The Speakers Workshop has several locations where we hold consultation meetings. When you make an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with the location of your appointment.
Armory 350
The main location for the Speakers Workshop is on the third floor of the Armory on the UIUC campus (505 E. Armory Ave., Champaign, IL 61820). Take the stairs or elevator to the third floor. The Speakers Workshop is located on the north side of the building, near the intersection of Armory Ave. and S. Fifth St., in the middle of the long corridor overlooking the indoor track. Our main reception and check-in area is Room 350, with additional offices and practice spaces in Rooms 351 and 352.
Main Library 109B
Located on the first floor of the Main Library (1408 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801), behind the Information Desk. The Information Desk is centrally located along the Library’s main north-south corridor. If entering the library from the east side (ramps available), go through the Library Gallery, passing the columns, and room 109B will be on the left.
Funk/ACES Library 301
To access Funk Library (1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801) Study Room 301, use the middle staircase or south elevator to access the second floor of the building. Then, use the stairs or north elevator to access the third floor. Room 301 is located across from the elevator on the south side of the third floor.
Grainger Library 402
Enter the building from the South entrance, and use either the stairs or elevators to access the fourth floor. Room #401 is located near the Northwest corner of the fourth floor. The building address is 1301 W. Springfield Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.
LAS Hub
The Paul M. Lisnek LAS Hub is located in Lincoln Hall on the East (the side that faces the Quad) corridor, behind the marble staircase. Descend several steps and follow signs to this relaxed, comfortable space where you can work and meet with peer mentors. An elevator is located near the marble staircase, and accessible entrances are also available in the outdoor courtyard. 702 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801.
Click here to search for accesible maps of our campus locations.
I’m a graduate student. How can I use the Speakers Workshop?
We are happy to work with graduate students! We encourage you to meet with one of our graduate student consultants to work on presentations, assignments, or other speaking concerns. Please visit our Meet the Staff page to find the consultant who best fits your needs.
I’m a faculty or staff member. Can I use the Speakers Workshop?
While we do not currently have the capacity to offer consistent consultation appointments for faculty or staff, we still welcome you to meet with us on a case-by-case basis. To schedule a meeting as a faculty or staff member, please contact our director, Dr. Laura Stengrim, at stengrim@illinois.edu.
I’m a member of the local community and not affiliated with the Urbana-Champaign campus. Can I use the Speakers Workshop?
Unfortunately, we are not yet able to offer consultations to community organizations or members, but we look forward to expanding our options in the future. If you have an idea for a collaborative project or would like the Speakers Workshop to help you address a need, please contact us at speakersworkshop@illinois.edu.
What if English is not my first language? How can the Speakers Workshop help me?
The Speakers Workshop can work with you on organizing, preparing, and practicing your speech or presentation, and can also provide tips about working with visual aids to enhance your presentation. If you are looking for conversation practice or exam preparation, see our Resources page for campus and community resources.
What should I do if I need accommodations?
We welcome all students to the Speakers Workshop and are committed to supporting you. For accessibility information on our locations, please see the campus accessibility maps. To request any other disability-related accommodations, please contact us at speakersworkshop@illinois.edu.
Do you have online appointments?
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Yes, we do! Most of our consultants have the option of in-person or online synchronous meetings. To make an online appointment, choose “Video Call” as the appointment modality on our schedule. When it is time for your meeting, click on your appointment, and a Zoom meeting will automatically open.