Professional practical rhetoric in higher school teacher training: the game or time challenge

The article deals with the topical problem of the development ofrhetorical skills and competences in the process of teacher training. It has to be admitted that rhetorical skills do not get a proper attention at teacher training Lithuanian colleges and universities. The article provides an overview ofdefinitions and theories of classical rhetoric and considers such aspects of rhetoric as the influence of media, argumentation, audience psychology, body language, rhetorical influence on the addressee, rhetorical text structuring, the orator's competences, emotional, cognitive and psychic state of the addressee. These aspects specify and characterise both effective communication and the art ofpersuasion. The article is finalised with practical advice on the art of rhetoric as well as recommendations for future teachers which can be useful in effective teaching/learning. The following conclusion is drawn: the discipline of the art ofrhetoric should be included in the programme of teacher trainingVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŠvietimo akademij