2022 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses

Oral Expression in English GIA

Academic unit or major: English language courses
Instructor(s): Paul Narum
Class Format: Exercise (Livestream)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: LAE.E335
Number of credits: 020
Course offered: 2022
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 GⅠA and GⅢ are 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)

Experience since 1983 translating documents from Japanese into English, specializing in business, governmental, economic, scientific, historical, cultural and literary topics, among others. Experience since 1985 editing and fact-checking articles for a weekly newsmagazine published in Japanese. Experience since 1994 teaching English and related subjects at Japanese universities in the Tokyo-Yokohama area, with special concentrations on culture, history, media and translation. Travel experience to 155 countries and 74 dependent 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 six-day intensive course, focused on helping students get their point across on various STEM issues, is designed for those wanting to practice and enhance their English speaking and presentation skills. It will be student-centered, with active participation expected every day. Students will be given various topics designed to utilize and boost their critical thinking skills through discussion and debate. They will also be required to make two presentations (pair and individual), and write a couple of short essays (graduate students). Vocabulary building and active listening will also be critical components of the course.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Course introduction, self-introductions	Prepare for self-introductions
Class 2	Discussion and debate about timely STEM issues	Engage actively in discussions, be able to see various sides of an issue, give feedback and advice to others
Class 3	Strategies for pair and individual presentations, selection of topics	Research discussion topic online, listen to lecture, ask instructor questions
Class 4	Preparation time for pair presentations (discussion and feedback)	Work with partner in polishing the presentation
Class 5	Pair presentations (timely STEM issue)	Give presentation, actively listen to others'
Class 6	Pair presentations (timely STEM issue), feedback	Give presentation, actively listen to others', give and get feedback
Class 7	STEM Presentations -- case study #1 (example: energy)	Research discussion topic online, listen to lecture, ask instructor questions, write essay (graduate students only)
Class 8	STEM Presentations -- case study #2 (example: outer space)	Research discussion topic online, listen to lecture, ask instructor questions, write essay (graduate students only)
Class 9	STEM Presentations -- case study #3 (example: AI)	Research discussion topic online, listen to lecture, ask instructor questions, write essay (graduate students only)
Class 10	STEM Presentations -- case study #4 (example: engineering)	Research discussion topic online, listen to lecture, ask instructor questions, write essay (graduate students only)
Class 11	Preparation time for final presentation (discussion and feedback)	Work on presentation, get feedback from other students
Class 12	Final Presentations (personal area of interest)- individual	Give presentation, actively listen to others'
Class 13	Final Presentations (personal area of interest)- individual	Give presentation, actively listen to others'
Class 14	Student evaluation and feedback, personal interviews, course wrap-up	Talk with instructor about performance and points to be improved

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

All materials to be distributed in class.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

N/A

Evaluation methods and criteria

Evaluation for undergraduate students:
50% Attendance and Class Participation, 20% Pair Presentation, 30% Final Presentation (individual)

Evaluation for graduate students:
30% Attendance and Class Participation, 50% Pair & Final Presentations, 20% Short Essays