グローバルコミュニケーション学科コラム

It can be very scary to speak in front of others. It is even scarier to speak in front of others in a foreign language that you are still learning. It is scariest when you try to use that foreign language to convince someone in debate or argument!

Here in the Department of English Communication, we recognize how difficult it can be for students still learning a new language to try to speak it in front of other people. The speaker's podium can be a place of worry, stress, even terror! One way we help students master public speaking is by giving them ample opportunities through our Integrated English Classes and Advanced Communication classes. Through our small class sizes, they gain confidence speaking in front of others.

In addition, we also support students in their efforts to make effective speeches by teaching them the most time-tested techniques of rhetoric. Rhetoric is the art of persuasion and one of the most famous masters was Aristotle, a Greek Philosopher who lived about 2400 years ago. Even so long ago, it was important to be able to say your opinions clearly and help people understand why they make sense. It is an important part of being a leader and being a responsible citizen.

Specifically, Aristotle identified three approaches to persuade people. We try to teach these techniques in our English classes. Logos is the most common technique. It is the art of persuasion using logic and reason. We ask students to persuade students by searching for evidence to back their opinions and clearly presenting them. Ethos, or credibility, is the technique where the speaker uses his/her own experience to show authority on a subject and convince people through first-hand knowledge. Our class encourages students to use the wisdom they have gained in their own life to formulate opinions. Lastly, there is Pathos, or the art of persuasion through emotion and sympathy. An argument is most powerful if you understand your audience and understand what is important to them. We ask students to think about why arguments move people. Humans are not robots, we need to respect them as a people who have hopes, worries, dreams and fears.

We know public speaking is scary in the department of English Communication. But we also try to make it easier to gain confidence and ability in this important skill!

Do you want to join us?