2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
Oral Expression in English 7
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Paul Narum
- Class Format
- Exercise (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- Courses specified
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Thu (M-143A(H119A))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAE.E233
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In keeping with their title, all of the “Oral Expression in English” courses are devoted to improving students’ skill in speaking. Apart from the context of making presentations, effective speaking also involves effective listening, so the classwork and homework in these courses require that students carry out both interactive speech and engaged listening exercises.
In Oral Expression in English 7 the principal aim is to generate effective oral communication involving listening and speaking among members of groups of 3 or 4 speakers. Objectives also include using vocabulary and grammar introduced in the textbook and classes.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will have become well aware of skills and strategies needed for interactive discussions on a range of topics among a group of 3, 4 or more of their peers.
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, oral communication, interactive
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Classes will be conducted along the following continuum: (1) lecture and/or viewing of audiovisual documentary concerning an important global issue to be discussed, (2) discussions and debates about that issue, (3) lecture and discussion about important presentation skills, (4) delivery of pair presentations, (5) discussion and final selection of individual presentation topics, (6) delivery of individual presentations, and (7) feedback.
Students will gain and hone important speaking and listening skills in class, with reading and writing skills to be used primarily outside of class during preparation and review time. Assessment will be based on class participation and attitude, essay, pair presentation, and individual presentation.
Possible themes:
(1) Scientific and technological innovation throughout history
(2) Criteria and conditions for the “best country”
(3) STEM education
(4) Climate change and energy issues
(5) Environmental issues and species protection
(6) Nuclear weapons and territorial conflict
(7) Artificial intelligence and robots
(8) Transportation and space exploration
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction, discussion of global issues; introduction of topic of focus | Catch up on global issues through daily reading of Web sites |
| Class 2 | Documentary viewing (DVD or Internet); short speech assignment | Read news articles online about topic chosen |
| Class 3 | Discussion and debate about documentary seen in second class, based on short speeches | Write speech on documentary viewed (duration depends on total no. of students) |
| Class 4 | Lecture about presentation skills; selection of pairs for presentation; consultation | Read up on possible topics for pair presentation |
| Class 5 | Pair presentations (duration depends on total no. of students in class) about general topic (everyone talks about the same thing) | Prepare pair presentation |
| Class 6 | Lecture and/or documentary about theme for individual presentations | Further research after class discussions |
| Class 7 | Individual presentations about specific topics (duration depends on total no. of students in class) | Research into and prepare for individual presentations |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None. Relevant materials to be handed out in class (online).
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Dictionaries (J-E, E-J, E-E; online, paper or electronic)
Evaluation methods and criteria
One short speech (20%)
One pair presentation (40%)
One individual presentation (40%)
Deductions made for poor class participation, sleeping, distraction, private conversation, cell phone usage not related to class contents, etc.
Maximum absences: two
Related courses
- Oral Expression in English 8
Prerequisites
None
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with Oral Expression in English 8.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.