2021 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses

Oral Expression in English GI 1

Academic unit or major: English language courses
Instructor(s): Paul Narum
Class Format: Exercise
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: 1
Course Code: LAE.E181
Number of credits: 020
Course offered: 2021
Offered quarter: 2Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 10, 2025
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

In keeping with the title, all of the “Oral Expression in English” courses are devoted to improving students' skills in speaking. Apart from making presentations, effective speaking also involves effective listening, so the classwork and homework in the course require that students carry out both interactive speech and are engaged in listening exercises. Oral Expression in English GI is offered during the summer vacation as an intensive course.
This course aims to provide students with English oral expression skills necessary to study abroad, with a specific focus on discussion and presentation.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss and give presentations on the topics of their choices, and thus be ready to study abroad.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

Almost four decades of experience doing translation (J to E) and editing, dealing with a broad variety of topics. Almost three decades of experience teaching university courses, not only in English but also in Japanese. Fields of interest include media, translation, history, and cross-cultural relations. Travel experience to 155 countries and 74 territories.

Keywords

speaking, listening, discussion, presentation, study abroad

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This week-long intensive course is geared to those students wishing to improve their English oral expression skills, particularly discussion, debate and presentation, through a comparative look at different countries around the world. The main subjects to be dealt with shall include world travel, comparative culture, education, health, welfare, and science and technology. The pair presentation will focus on a travelogue to a certain country, while the individual presentation will be about criteria for what can be considered the "best country." Critical thinking strategies will be emphasized as students become more effective speakers, with timely feedback given.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Day 1a 19-Aug Course introduction, self-introductions, selection of topics	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 2	Day 1b 19-Aug Strategies for pair and personal presentations	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 3	Day 1c 19-Aug Theme A (Example: Travel)	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 4	Day 2a 20-Aug Discussion and debate	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 5	Day 2b 20-Aug Theme B (Example: Education, Health and Welfare)	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 6	Day 3a 23-Aug Discussion and debate	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 7	Day 3b 23-Aug Pair Presentations (Travelogue) - Warm-up and practice	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 8	Day 3c 23-Aug Pair Presentations (Travelogue) - Final version, feedback and assessment	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 9	Day 4a 24-Aug Theme C (Example: Science and Technology)	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 10	Day 4b 24-Aug Discussion and debate	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 11	Day 4c 24-Aug Preparation time for final presentation (discussion and feedback)	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 12	Day 5a 25-Aug Final Presentations (Best Country) - individual	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 13	Day 5b 25-Aug Final Presentations (Best Country) - individual	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies
Class 14	Day 5c 25-Aug Student evaluation and feedback, personal interviews, course wrap-up	English oral expression skills, pair and individual presentations, critical thinking strategies

Study advice (preparation and review)

This five-day intensive course is designed for students looking for a forum that will allow them to speak English on a wide array of topics. It will be student-centered and (very) active participation will be expected. The general daily format is discussion/debate with presentations at the end of the day. Aside from general fluency, other areas that will be addressed include critical thinking skills, presentation skills, listening skills, and vocabulary building.

Textbook(s)

All materials to be distributed in class.

Reference books, course materials, etc.