Students who enroll in this class will participate in the annual Tokyo Tech English Speech Contest, a popular event open to the public. The contest will be held during the 5th or 6th class in the second quarter. The following are goals of the course: (1) to obtain basic knowledge regarding oral expression and public speaking; (2) to polish speech and public speaking skills; (3) to polish critical thinking and analytical skills regarding presentations by writing, rewriting, and rehearsing one's speech. Each student will receive personal coaching on his/her oral expression skills.
Students who have completed this course should exhibit the following: (1) completion of an outline and at least 3 drafts of an original speech on a topic of interest to them; (2) two video recordings of their presentation of their speech; (3) knowledge of and skill in using oral delivery techniques and phrases in English, as taught in the textbook and in class; (4) improved ability to give and receive constructive feedback on the speeches and oral presentations of classmates.
speech, presentation, oral communication, English, public speaking
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The following elements will be included in most classes: 1) from the textbook, Dynamic Presentations, learning of useful phrases and techniques related to oral presentation in English, video clip viewing and analysis, oral performative exercises; 2) preparation of speeches for the contest, including analysis of past speeches, brainstorming topics, outlining, presentation and revisions of multiple speech drafts, detailed feedback from the instructor and students on all elements of speech construction and delivery.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduce purpose and characteristics of speech contest; analyze past speeches; brainstorm topics | orientation to the speech contest and its usefulness to students; assess the qualities of effective past speeches; prepare upcoming chapter |
Class 2 | Dynamic Presentations, chapter 1, "Opening and Closing"; view and analyze examples on DVD; oral presentation exercises | learn phrases and patterns for speech starts and ends; learn how to organize a speech; prepare upcoming chapter |
Class 3 | Dynamic Presentations, chapter 2, "Smooth Structure"; view and analyze examples on DVD; oral presentation exercises | identify examples of effective speech construction techniques; practice phrases for signposting and transitions within oral presentations; prepare upcoming chapter |
Class 4 | Dynamic Presentations, chapter 9, "Storytelling"; view and analyze examples on DVD; oral presentation exercises | recognize the power of narrative in oral presentation; learn verb tense usage in and surrounding narrative; practice direct speech, simile, etc.; write first draft of speech; prepare upcoming chapter |
Class 5 | First draft of speech due; Dynamic Presentations, chapter 7, "Rapport Building"; view and analyze examples on DVD; oral presentation exercises | learn how to build a relationship of trust with the audience; learn empathic speech techniques |
Class 6 | Dynamic Presentations, chapter 8, "Impact Techniques"; view and analyze examples on DVD; oral presentation exercises | learn how to use repetition, rhetorical questions, grouping ideas, and emphatic word choice; write second draft of speech |
Class 7 | Second draft of speech due; present to the class; detailed feedback; practice questions and answers | students assess each other's second drafts; feedback on structure and content; practice techniques for question and answer sessions |
Class 8 | Final presentation | detailed feedback on speech content and delivery; practice using pauses, stressed words, and inflection in speeches |
Mark Powell, Dynamic Presentations (Cambridge University Press, 2011)
Speeches from previous Tokyo Tech English Speech Contests will be analyzed in class.
Weekly participation 30%; First draft of speech 10%; Second draft of speech 20%; Final presentation exam 40%
Upper intermediate English skills
The syllabus of this course is designed to continue on to the Speech Seminar 14 in the second quarter. It is strongly advised that students take this course with English Speech Seminar 14 (LAE.E472).
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.