The aim of this course is to improve students' formal speaking and debate skills in workplace or academic contexts.

The goal of the course is to improve student's ability to critically analyze the topic and form an opinion orally in order to actively participate in the discussion. Students will be given a list of debate phrases to practice. Below is a sample of the language functions to be practiced for each discussion.

1. Opening the discussion : "Today we are here to discuss..."
2. Stating opinions: "In my opinion,.../The way I see it ..."
3. Disagreeing: "I can see your point, but I'm not sure I agree."
4. Clarifying: "Could you explain that a little more please."
5. Restating ideas: "What I'm trying to say is..."
6. Refuting a fact: "Well, I'm not sure that is correct because..."
7. Interrupting: "Sorry to interrupt, but..."
8. Closing the discussion: "In conclusion, the purpose of this discussion..."

English

Students will be given a topic that they will have to research further and then put into small groups of 2-4 people each. You will have 3-5 topic discussions with different members of the class each lasting 15-25 minutes. There will be a group leader for each discussion. It is important for you to practice your discussion before being graded in front of the teacher. During your practice time, please ask your teacher about difficult words or expressions you want to know. After the discussion is finished, the teacher will review your mistakes orally (and later written) on how to improve for next time.

Example Topics :

1. Choosing best candidate for a bank loan
2. Nuclear energy
3. Tax increase
4. Japan immigration

Each group discussion will usually last between 10-15 minutes and be worth 35 POINTS. While you are talking, the teacher will be grading you. You will be graded on how many times and how well you use the phrases. Hint: you cannot read from your notes and do well in the discussions. The best students ask questions and involve other group members.

You may have to write down your discussion as a group and practice it like a movie script. Allow time for the teacher to correct your "discussion script" before you start.

Discussions will be graded on your ability to:
1) use the Discussion Phrases in a logical and timely way
2) further develop, research, and organize your topic in your group.
3) reaching clear conclusion based each person's opinion

Discussion scores total / # of presentations) / 35 = Final score %
e.g. (26+28+32+30+24 / 5) / 35 = 80%

*students missing 1/3 of classes will automatically receive a final score of ‘0’.
*students who miss a graded discussion will receive a 0 for that topic.

Method:
1) Each phrase used correctly is worth 2 points (per turn) during the discussion.
2) If you speak correctly, but do not use a phrase, you receive 1 point per turn
3) Incorrect grammar, incomprehensible speech or phrase will result in 0 points per turn

None. Handouts will be provided.

The pace of the course (i.e. how many topics we cover) will be determined by student ability. Laptop computers for in-class topic research are acceptable.

Tues 2:40-4:00 or by appointment