Academic English Advanced

A dinosaur
LecturerChad NILEP, Associate Professor
DepartmentInstitute of Liberal Arts & Sciences, 2017 Spring
Recommended for:2nd year students School of Information and Science School of Engineer School of Science School of Agriculture (21.5 hours / session One session / week 15 weeks / semester)

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%).


Last updated

April 29, 2020