Academic English Advanced

Course Overview

The objective of this course is to further enhance intermediate English language skills while developing skills in preparing and delivering presentations for academic or social purposes, including reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills. The course fosters students abilities to master academic English necessary for success at a research university such as Nagoya University. In addition to skills and knowledge cultivated in Academic English Basic and Academic English Intermediate, and communication skills cultivated in Academic English Communication, this course requires students to compose logical, clear and convincing English texts and to deliver them through clear and engaging speech to an audience primarily composed of non-native speakers of English.

Key features

Each student researches, prepares, and delivers multiple oral presentations. Topics for the presentations develop from personal interests, to description and evaluation of a recommended vacation, to presentation of original survey research, and finally a persuasive presentation on a topic of the students own choice.

Presentation skills developed include brainstorming, planning and writing effective speeches. A presentation requires a strong introduction, logically and rhetorically sound structure, and a clear and memorable conclusion. In addition, delivery skills including voice, eye contact, and body language are developed. Students create and use visual aids of various types as appropriate to each presentation's topic. They also work on dealing effectively and confidently with questions from the audience.

In addition to students' own presentations, textbook exercises and videos of model presentations allow for additional study and understanding. Students work in groups or in pairs to evaluate exercises or model presentations. Weekly quizzes, based on the textbook exercises, help students focus appropriately.

Schedule

Week	Presentation topic	Topics in class	Homework
1	none	Introduction; Basic presentation structure, eye contact	none (Reading in class)
2	none	Presentation structure: Introduction, body, and conclusion	*PY 7, 8-9, and 14-17 †Video 7, 8
3	Give a 2-4 minute presentation about yourself and your interests. Include at least three interesting things about you in the body of the speech. Be sure to include a strong introduction and conclusion.	Giving feedback on presentations; Vacation travel	PY 20-21 and 24-25 Video 11
4		Presenting with visual information	PY 28-31
5		Present details about travel destinations	PY 82-83, Expansion Video e14 ~ e24
6	Give a 3-5 minute presentation recommending a vacation spot. You should include visual aids, such as printed photos or slides.	Surveys and interviews	PY 32-37 Video 16 ~ 18
7		Research-based presenations First eFace exam	PY 41-43 Video 24
8		Dealing with audience questions	PY 52-53, PY 86 part 2 Video 33 (p. 52) Video e35 ~ e37 (p. 86) [Dealing with questions](https://ocw.nagoya-u.jp/files/631/Dealing with questions - Chad Nilep.pdf)
9	Give a 4-7 minute presentation about a survey you conducted. Be sure to include the survey topic and your analysis of the results. Don't include each answer; summarize what the answers mean. The audience may ask questions after your speech.	Expressing opinions	PY 56-61 Video 34 ~ 36
10		Using your voice effectively	PY 64-67 Video 41 ~ 42 [Intonation for Presentation](https://ocw.nagoya-u.jp/files/631/Intonation for Presentation (mobile).pdf)
11		Catch up and expansion	PY 88-89, Expansion Video e43 ~ e54
12	Give a 4-8 minute persuasive presentation about a topic of your choice. Choose an issue you feel strongly about. Give three or four good reasons for your opinion, and include facts or examples to support each reason.	News stories	PY 68-71 Video 43 ~ 44
13		Leading group discussions	PY 76-77 Video 51 ~ 53
14		Summary and review	Final eFace exam

Lecture Handouts

feedback_sheet
feedback_sheet Dealing with questions - Chad Nilep.pdf" desc="Dealing with questions"}
feedback_sheet Intonation for Presentation (mobile).pdf" desc="Intonation for Presentation"}

Grading

Course grade is based on presentations (60%), feedback and questions during other student's presentations (10%), participation and attendance in class (10%), and self-study using e-learning (20%).

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