2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
Oral Expression in English 4 1
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Andrew Woolner
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Wed (M-155(H1104))
- Class
- 1
- Course Code
- LAE.E134
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Sep 5, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
All of the “Oral Expression in English” courses are devoted to improving students’ skills in speaking. Apart from the context of giving presentations, effective speaking also involves effective listening, so the classwork and homework in these courses require that students engaged in speech and listening exercises.
The materials and exercises in Oral Expression in English 4 build upon those of Oral Expression in English 3, and maintains the specific focus on generating effective oral communication involving listening and speaking between pairs of 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 be able to confidently discuss a broader selection of more complex topics to do with society and cross-cultural phenomena in one-on-one conversations with people they have not met before.
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)
This course is taught by an instructor who works professionally as a theatre director, writer, performer, and dramaturg. He will use his experience to teach effective ways of presenting ideas to others.
Keywords
speaking, listening,oral communication, interactive
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Attendance will be taken in each class session. This course is an interactive class that will involve students speaking to each other in small groups and making presentations to the class on various controversial subjects.
Students will be required to read/watch/listen to assigned materials before class in order to be able to discuss their contents. Exact subject matter may differ from that laid out in the syllabus in order to follow the interests, levels, and educational needs of the students.
If the number of students wishing to enroll exceeds the limit of 30 students, enrollment may be restricted via the use of a lottery.
All prospective students must attend the first class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course Introduction, Schedule, and Introduction |
Identify course aims, practice introductions, the basics of discussing controversial topics |
| Class 2 | Stranger in a Strange Land: Being a Foreigner |
Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss issues of race, immigration, and culture |
| Class 3 | Inequality & the Value of Work |
Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss issues of inequality |
| Class 4 | Midterm Group Presentation |
Demonstrate ability to use vocab and expressions from classes 1 - 3 |
| Class 5 | The Panopticon: Mass Surveillance & Privacy |
Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss issues of privacy |
| Class 6 | Electric Sheep: The Ethics of Algorithms |
Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss issues of AI ethics |
| Class 7 | Final Presentations |
Demonstrate ability to use vocab and expressions from classes 1 - 6 |
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)
Handouts/プリント教材
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None required.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Daily Journal: 10%
Participation: 40%
Midterm Presentation: 20%
Final Class Exercise: 30%
Related courses
- LAE.E133 ： Oral Expression in English 3
Prerequisites
none
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with LAE.E133 (Oral Expression in English 3).
Attendance at the first session is compulsory for students planning to take this course.