2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
Oral Expression in English 8 2
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Makiko Haraga
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Wed (M-B107)
- Class
- 2
- Course Code
- LAE.E234
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Sep 4, 2026
- 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.
As an elective 200-level course, Oral Expression in English 8 maintains the objective of generating effective oral communication involving listening and speaking among members of groups of 3 or 4 people. 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 hold 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)
This course will be taught by a bilingual journalist who has been reporting and writing in both English and Japanese on a wide range of issues for a variety of publications. Throughout the course, the instructor will use her knowledge and expertise in the art of storytelling, to help students acquire communication skills that are necessary for communicating ideas effectively and clearly in English to people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Keywords
speaking, listening, oral communication, interactive
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
While we continue to explore a variety of issues, stronger emphasis is put on developing teamwork skills as well as leadership skills, which include active listening and outside-the-box thinking. If the number of students wishing to enroll exceeds the capacity, enrollment may be limited. All students who wish to take this course must attend the first class. The course schedule is subject to change based on the actual number of students.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction |
Students will learn to develope the ability to work in a team through team-building activities. |
| Class 2 | Discussion: AI |
Students are expected to watch video clips and read articles that are assigned for this week in order to have a good discussion on the topic (AI). |
| Class 3 | Discussion: Innovation |
Students are expected to watch video clips and read articles that are assigned for this week in order to have a good discussion on the topic (innovation). |
| Class 4 | Introduction to leadership |
Students will gain basic knowledge about leadership. They will also learn to develop active listening skills, which are important for both leadership and teamwork. |
| Class 5 | Group work: Design thinking (creative co-creation) |
Students will learn to develop skills to think outside the box. |
| Class 6 | Presentation: The first group of students will deliver presentations on a given topic. The details of the assignment will be provided during Week 4. |
Presenters are responsible for preparing a presentation. Those who are not presenting will ask questions and provide feedback. |
| Class 7 | Presentation: The second group of students will deliver presentations on a given topic. The details of the assignment will be provided during Week 5. |
Presenters are responsible for preparing a presentation. Those who are not presenting will ask questions and provide feedback. |
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
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Suggested Websites and smartphone apps:
NPR http://www.npr.org/
Scientific American (video and podcasts “60-second science”) http://www.scientificamerican.com/
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Evaluation methods and criteria
The grade for the quarter will be determined as follows.
Class participation: 50% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, progress, willingness to learn, effort to prepare for each class.)
Presentation: 50%
Related courses
- Oral Expression in English 7
Prerequisites
None
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with LAE.E233 (Oral Expression in English 7).
Attendance at the first session is compulsory for students planning to take this course.