Course Content

We will study techniques for planning and delivering oral presentations. All students will complete homework introducing basic topics, and discuss these topics in more depth during class time. Students are required to use English as much as they can during class, and to contribute actively to discussions.

Each student will prepare, write, and deliver oral presentations based on topics discussed during the course. Students will listen to presentations from their classmates each week. Participants are required to listen attentively and be prepared to ask questions.

The course will be taught entirely in English. Use English as much as you can during class discussions and in your presentations.

You must complete the homework assignments before class and be prepared to talk about them during class.

In addition, students must complete the "eFace" out-of-class learning materials. The eFace materials focus on vocabulary and reading improvement, while in-class presentations help improve speaking and listening skills. A mid-term exam and a final exam will focus on eFace material.

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 student’s 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.