2024/03/15

This page is a course guide and teaching supplement for my students at Seijo University, Tokyo, Japan. It is not a part of the official website of the university, as it contains information related only to my classes.

I will communicate with students through this website, the university's WebClass system, and email, and even phone calls if necessary. Students should make an effort to keep in contact with the teacher to stay informed about assignments, and finish the assignments quickly.

You have to check three things regularly:

1. This website

2. WebClass

3. Your university email account (studentnumber@u.seijo.ac.jp). Be sure to register a university email account and check it every day. This is an important way to stay in contact with the teacher.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to help students acquire sufficient knowledge and skills necessary for giving a speech, asking questions, and holding discussions in such formal contexts as academic conferences and business meetings. Such knowledge and skills may also be learned partly at English II: Academic Reading and Writing, and English II: Business Reading and Writing, but this course focuses on speaking and listening. For this purpose, it is also necessary for students to learn important expressions frequently used in formal settings as well as how to observe "good manners" as both presenters and members of the audience. Moreover, attention should be paid to effective use of gestures, eye contact, posture and other elements of non-verbal communication. Through this course, students can deepen their understanding of formal language and have opportunities to review what they have learned in other English courses in terms of formality and appropriateness.

Students who fail this course are not allowed to take English II: Presentation and Discussion in the second semester.

Course Goals

Students can understand and use common words/phrases frequently used in formal spoken interactions.

Students can interact with others appropriately and effectively in formal settings.

Students can make presentations and participate as active audience members in presentations given by fellow students.

Method

This course is a practical. There will be frequent quizzes based on vocabulary, grammar and listening comprehension exercises. Each class will focus on a theme and a public speaking skill, as described in the schedule below. While the focus of the course is on public speaking, the lessons will also involve practice in all the language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing,) review of grammar, note-taking and summarizing. Each week, some students will be chosen to make short practice speeches to the class, and all students will do a final speech assignment toward the end of the semester. We will also study some examples of short speeches.

Schedule

1. Course introduction. Unit 1 Theme: self-introduction. Sub-skill: posture.

2. Performance of speeches based on Unit 1. Unit 2 Theme: hometown. Sub-skill: eye contact. Sample of a short speech: Biography of Napoleon.

3. Performance of speeches based on Unit 2. Unit 3 Theme: family. Sub-skill: gestures. Review of a short speech: Biography of Napoleon.

4. Performance of speeches based on Unit 3. Unit 4 Theme: interests and hobbies. Sub-skill: stage position. Sample of a short speech: The Ancient City of Pompeii.

5. Performance of speeches based on Unit 4. Unit 5 Theme: education. Sub-skill: voice projection. Review of a short speech: The Ancient City of Pompeii.

6. Performance of speeches based on Unit 5. Unit 6 Theme: culture shock. Sub-skill: pronunciation. Sample of a short speech: How the Internet Works.

7. Performance of speeches based on Unit 6. Unit 7 Theme: stereotypes. Sub-skill: intonation. Review of a short speech: How the Internet Works.

8. Performance of speeches based on Unit 7. Unit 8 Theme: population. Sub-skill: phrasing. Sample of a short speech: Language Acquisition.

9. Review lesson: Integration of sub-skills in Units 1-8 in improvised speeches. Review of a short speech: Language Acquisition.

10. Performance of speeches based on Unit 8. Unit 9 Theme: events. Sub-skill: anticipating questions. Sample of a short speech: What is a tsunami?

11. Performance of speeches based on Unit 9. Unit 10 Theme: places. Sub-skill: understanding questions. Review of a short speech: What is a tsunami?

12. Performance of speeches based on Unit 10. Unit 11 Theme: processes. Sub-skill: checking understanding.

13. Performance of speeches based on Unit 11. Unit 12 Theme: opinions. Sub-skill: staying in control. Preparation and rehearsal of final speeches.

14. Final speech performances.

15. Final speech performances.

Additional Plans

One or two lessons may be taught as on-demand lessons. Students will be informed about these lessons two weeks before they are assigned.

Feedback Method

The teacher will give both spoken and written feedback on the performance of speeches with respect to such elements as non-verbal communication, language errors, pronunciation, voice clarity and content.

Preparation Outside of Class Time

At least one hour of preparation and review will be necessary before each class.

Evaluation

Participation 30%

Homework 30%

Final presentation/speech 40%

Further grading criteria and methods

The final speech assignment is the most important assignment in this course (40% of the final grade). Students will also be evaluated on their weekly participation and on their completion of short speaking assignments.

Advice to Students

Attend all the classes, make efforts speak English in class, and participate in all activities. Stay on schedule with all the assignments. There are 15 classes in the semester. At the end of the course, any student who has been absent for more than 1/3 of the classes, for whatever reason, cannot get credit for this course. Note that this permitted number of absences gives a student a reasonable allowance for any absences due to illnesses, injuries, and emergencies. For example, if a student were absent 4 times for no good reason, then absent once because of a serious injury, then absent again to attend a funeral (reasonable excuses for absences, usually), he would still fail to get credit for the course because 4+2=6, which is more than 1/3 of 15.

Textbook 

No textbook is required. 

Expectations of Enrolled Students 

Attend all the classes, make efforts speak English in class, and participate in all activities. Stay on schedule with all the assignments. There are 15 classes in the semester. At the end of the course, any student who has been absent for more than 1/3 of the classes, for whatever reason, cannot get credit for this course. Note that this permitted number of absences gives a student a reasonable allowance for any absences due to illnesses, injuries, and emergencies. For example, if a student were absent 4 times for no good reason, then absent once because of a serious injury, then absent again to attend a funeral (reasonable excuses for absences, usually), he would still fail to get credit for the course because 4+2=6, which is more than 1/3 of 15.

Method to Contact the Teacher

riches[at]seijo.ac.jp or WebClass
Building 3, room 3813
Monday 15:00-16:00 and Friday 10:40-11:40