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Making EPS Part of Your CurriculumMaking EPS Part of Your Curriculum

Ren Wen, Professor, PhDRen Wen, Professor, PhDSichuan UniversitySichuan University

May 25, 2013 May 25, 2013 · Beijing· Beijing

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I. The Importance of PS skillsThe Importance of PS skills

II.II. The Importance of EPS courseThe Importance of EPS course

III.III. Pedagogical issuesPedagogical issues

IV.IV. The possibility of teaching EPSThe possibility of teaching EPS

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I. The importance of PS

A. Public speaking is a form of empowerment.

Public speaking is the language of leadership… Every time you have to speak… you are auditioning for leadership.

-- James Humes

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I. The importance of PS

B. Public speaking is a life skill for employment.

Take all the speech courses and communication courses you can because the world turns on communication.

-- John McConnell

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I.I. The importance of PSThe importance of PS – it’s everywhere – it’s everywhere

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I. The importance of PS

A. Personal benefits

B. Professional benefits

C. Societal benefits

D. Cultural benefits

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Now that PS skill is so important, why then do

most people shun speaking in public?

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The number one fear in life is

public speaking, and the number

two fear is death. This means that if

you go to a funeral, you are better

off in the casket than giving the

eulogy.

-- Jerry Seinfeld

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What to do to change the scenario?A. PS as a mandate course in many universities in

US

B. PS workshops run by organizations such as the Toastmaster International

C. What about China?

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II. The importance of EPS course

1. Function of EPS course2. Nature of EPS course3. Abilities that can be improved in EPS course

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1. Function of EPS course

A. A useful approach to enhance students’ English language proficiency;

B. An efficient way to improve students’ comprehensive abilities;

C. A laboratory for trial and error;D. A stage for step-by-step progress.

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2. Nature of EPS course

A. Not an oral English class, but its beneficiary as well as a contributor to improvement of oral English;

B. Not a writing class, but its beneficiary as well as a contributor to betterment of writing skills;

C. A course combining development of PS skills and comprehensive qualities;

D. Not theory-oriented, but practice and skill-based;

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2. Nature of EPS course

E. Not designed for English speaking competitions, but potential contestants can benefit.

F. Optional or compulsory

G. Both English majors and non-language majors

H. Preferable in the 3rd or 4th year

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3. Abilities that can be improved in EPS course

A. English language proficiency

B. Communication skills

C. Cross-cultural and multi-cultural awareness

D. Critical thinking skills

E. Psychological strength

F. Moral integrity

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C. Cross-cultural and multi-cultural awareness

a. The awareness that different cultures need to be respected and tolerated;

b. The awareness that ethnocentrism does more harm than good in this multicultural world.

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D. Critical thinkingD. Critical thinking

Delphi Report:

CT: cognitive skills + affective dispositions

Cognitive skills: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation and self-regulationAffective dispositions: inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair-minded…

(http://assessment.aas.duke.edu/documents/Delphi_Report.pdf 1990)

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F. Moral integritya. A speaker with

ethics;

b. A speaker that promotes public good;

c. A speaker with correct outlook on the world and life ;

d. A speaker with national and international vision.

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III. Pedagogical issuesIII. Pedagogical issues

1. General principle

2. Class organization

3. Teaching and learning resources

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1. General principle

The instructor’s role:

A sage on the stage

?

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A Guide by the side

!

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1. General principle

The students’ role:

Listeners and onlookers

?

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Actors and speakers!

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1. General principle:

a. Instructor-guided and student-centered

b. Practice-oriented

c. Student-friendly atmosphere

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2. Class organization (for large-sized class)

a. Lecturing + discussion

b. Video + discussion + comments

c. Speechmaking + Q&A + comments

d. Speech in the whole class + speech in small groups

e. Visual aids a must in intro and info speeches

f. Three speeches in total

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2. Class organization (for small-sized class)

a. More discussion and less lecturing

b. More speechmaking (>3)

c. Better evaluation and comments

d. More individual attention

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English majors vs. Non-English majorsEnglish majors vs. Non-English majors

English majors:

generally better language proficiency

more or less even level of English

less variety of topics

Non-English majors:

larger disparity in level of English

more topic diversity

more chances of interdisciplinary interaction and

mutual learning

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3. Teaching & learning resources

A. Stephen Lucas （美） The Art of Public Speaking, 10th edition, Beijing: FLTRP, 2010 (student book and teacher’s manual).

B. The Art of Public Speaking CD-Rom & DVD

C. “FLTRP 杯”、“ 21 世纪杯”全国大学生英语演讲比赛 DVD.

D. Internet resources (e.g. TED, you tube)

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IV.IV. The possibility of teaching EPS The possibility of teaching EPS

1. You as an instructor are already an experienced public speaker;

2. Students are ready and enthusiastic;

3. Teaching resources are available;

4. Your bosses are generally supportive.

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Teaching PS/EPS has a “side-effect”:Teaching PS/EPS has a “side-effect”:

You will become a better public speaker

by teaching the art of public speaking !

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Thank You!