Sensei's Pages - January 2009

In this issue, we would like to suggest speech making as a classroom activity or classroom project for the year 2009*. As you know, the Japan Foundation, Sydney conducts a speech contest every year in co-operation with the committees of each state. The object of this contest is not only to encourage competition between students or schools but also to increase students' Japanese proficiency, intercultural competence and thinking skills through the process of creating a speech.

* Activity and project ideas in this issue are largely based on the book 'Speech for Basic Level Japanese for organized oral presentation of one's country, culture, and society' from the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　

* For more information about this book, please visit this site.

What is a speech?

We make many types of ‘speeches' in our lives. You may need to introduce yourself when you meet new people, or to say something at a party or ceremony. You may be asked to explain things you are familiar with, or how you made a dish when you have a party. You could say these are kinds of speeches. Here we will focus on a classroom activity involving preparing a formal speech. Then we will give suggestions for other kinds of speech making.

Why 'speech making' in your class?

Speech making is not only beneficial for language learning but can also promote students' cognitive development. From the language learning aspect, through making speeches, students will have the opportunity to use sentence patterns which they have learned so far, and to enhance their vocabulary. Also, by memorizing and practicing the speech for the presentation, students can absorb grammar and improve their pronunciation. And from the cognitive development aspect, students can develop their thinking skills, including critical thinking skills and logical thinking. Also, when students go through the process of creating their speech, they need to notice, compare, and reflect deeply. The theme of the speech usually involves some comparison of cultures, so the process can increase students' intercultural ability. Although speech making is usually considered an individual activity for students, as we will explain, it can be incorporated into a class project. In this project, students will exchange their ideas and presentations and interact with other students. Through this kind of interaction, students can learn from each other.

'Speech Making' class project

Step 1

1. Teacher or students suggest a theme for the speeches.

2. Teacher gives the Flowchart and useful expressions to students as a guide.

3. Students in small groups discuss possible topics and what they will say.

Step 2

4. Students write their speeches. While writing, students may ask the teacher or other students about grammar, usage and vocabulary.

5. After writing their manuscript, students exchange it with a partner to check.

6. After peer checking, students start practicing for the presentation.

Step 3

7. Students present their speech in front of classmates.

8. While listening to the speeches, classmates fill out the Speech presentation evaluation.

9. After listening to the speech, teacher or classmates ask questions about the speech.

10. The presenter collects the Speech presentation evaluation from classmates and uses it for future reference.

Although we highly value students' ideas and creativity, as teachers, we need to guide students with their use of language so they do not try to use language beyond their control. In other words, they can stretch their language boundaries, but they need to comprehend what they are saying. We have made a number of Flowchart and useful expressions for different topics. We have also made a blank version which teachers can use to meet the needs of their students.

What makes a good speech?

Students finding answers to this question themselves is one of the objectives of this speech making project. Discussion with classmates or feedback from the Speech presentation evaluation will help students to find the answers.
Here are some possible answers to this question with some general tips.

"A good speech ……"

attracts everyone's interest
has humour
is unforgettable
is easy to listen to
is easy to understand
quotes famous phrases or proverbs
tells your own experience

A good presentation ………..

has eye contact and a smile
isn't just read
is given in a loud voice
is given at a slow pace
You may ask the audience questions during the speech
The pronunciation of keywords should be accurate

Participate in the Speech Contest and Video まつり!

To share and showcase your classroom project, we suggest you participate in the annual speech contest. You can explain to students that the purpose of participating in the speech contest is not just to compete with other students in their state, but to give them an opportunity to speak in Japanese in front of an audience. This will help build their self confidence, as well as improving their language. Please contact your local speech contest committee for information about the contest in your state. You can also get information about the speech contest from this site. Here you will find the judging criteria that will be used for the national final. You can also see the video of last year's winners' speeches in each division.

If you would like to give your students another means of creating and showcasing their Japanese without the formality of the speech contest, they can participate in our new national Nihongo event, Video まつり. In this event Japanese students make a video using Japanese language of about 4 minutes. For example, students can make a ‘TV commercial', cooking demonstration, puppet show, or slide show. For more information about the Videoまつり, please visit this site.

Reference Speech for Basic Level Japanese for organized oral presentation of one's country, culture, and society.
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai
Lessons in Composition and Oral Presentation-from Beginners' to Intermediate Japanese - ALC

This article is written by Koji Matsumoto and Cathy Jonak