2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses

Oral Expression in English GI 3

Academic unit or major: English language courses
Instructor(s): Jon Mitchell
Class Format: Exercise (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: 3
Course Code: LAE.E181
Number of credits: 020
Course offered: 2023
Offered quarter: 2Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 8, 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)

An instructor with work experience as a journalist, author and editor will provide hands-on education in writing and presenting, based on practice in a field that features critical thinking and logical ways of communicating information to audiences.

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

During this course, we will be exploring some techniques to help students with their future pursuits overseas; whether considering science-related subjects abroad, attending a language school to improve English skills or applying for an internship, this course is designed to help students to become a more confident writer and speaker. These classes will recreate the atmosphere of an authentic study abroad community. Students are advised to speak English as much as possible, to respect classmates by listening to them carefully and helping them when they have problems. By the end of the course, students will have prepared an interview, a statement of purpose and a short presentation related to studying overseas.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Introduction + Class survey	This initial class will give students the opportunity to learn about each other while the instructor assesses the needs of the class.
Class 2	Presentation skills: The Introduction	First impressions last! This class will offer students some techniques to deliver an effective introduction.
Class 3	Statement of Purpose: Successful techniques	Through active learning, students will explore some important techniques for formulating a successful statement of purpose.
Class 4	Interview skills: Background	Interviews – including for study abroad programs – can be stressful. This class will help learners to understand what interviewers are looking for in their candidates and how students can create a positive impression.
Class 5	Presentation skills: The Main Body	During presentations, it is easy for the audience to become lost during the middle of a talk; this class will investigate linguistic techniques to ensure audience stay on track.
Class 6	Statement of Purpose: Planning the first draft	Building on the skills from Class 3, students will apply them to write a rough outline of a Statement of Purpose.
Class 7	Interview skills: Key Points	This class will explore some linguistic and cultural pointers for surviving – and succeeding – in an interview for an overseas study course.
Class 8	Presentation skills: Numbers & Visual Aids	Effective slides can enhance the audience’s understanding of a presentation; this class will show students how to prepare a strong slideshow and discuss data in ways which are both grammatically-correct and easy-to-understand.
Class 9	Statement of Purpose: The second draft	Students will assess their own work from Class 6 using self-editing techniques to complete a polished Statement of Purpose.
Class 10	Presentation skills: The Conclusion	The conclusion of a presentation ought to give the audience a long-lasting impression; this class will explore effective techniques to end a talk.
Class 11	Planning time: Presentations / Q&A	The Q&A session is one of the stages which presenters most fear; this class will guide students step-by-step through Q&A and provide them an opportunity to practice in small groups.
Class 12	Interview skills: Practice	Practice makes perfect. Students will implement the skills explored in Sessions 4 and 7 – and provide feedback on their own and classmates’ interviews.
Class 13	Presentations	Students will give a presentation related to the issue of studying overseas (see Assessment criteria and methods below).
Class 14	Interview simulations	Students will interview – and be interviewed – by classmates in a simulated study abroad scenario (see Assessment criteria and methods below).

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.

N/A

Evaluation methods and criteria

One 500-word Statement of Purpose : 35%
One-page reflection on interview performance : 30%
One-page feedback on presentations: 35%