NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 英文演說與學術簡報(0958)
	(Eng.) Public Speaking and Academic Presentations
Offering Dept	Language Center
Course Type	Elective	Credits	2	Teacher	Cheng-Ji Lai
Department	General	Language	English	Semester	2026-SPRING
Course Description	I. Course Description This course is designed to develop students’ competence and confidence in delivering effective public, academic, and professional presentations in English. Drawing on principles from public speaking and business presentation training, the course integrates theory with extensive in-class practice to help students communicate ideas clearly, persuasively, and appropriately across different speaking contexts. Students will learn the fundamental principles of effective English public speaking, including speech organization, audience analysis, and rhetorical strategies, while also developing practical presentation skills required in academic and professional settings. Throughout the semester, students will engage in frequent speaking activities, individual and group presentations, peer and instructor feedback, and guided reflection in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. The course adopts an action-learning approach that emphasizes learning by doing. Instruction and practice will focus on three core areas: 1. Structural Awareness – Understanding how to organize clear and coherent presentations, including effective introductions, logically developed bodies, and purposeful conclusions for academic and professional audiences. 2. Delivery Skills – Developing key delivery techniques such as voice control, pacing, clarity, eye contact, and non-verbal communication to enhance speaker credibility and audience engagement. 3. Supporting Strategies – Learning how to use visual aids effectively, make appropriate language choices, build rapport with audiences, and adapt presentations to academic and professional purposes. Students are expected to complete assigned readings, actively participate in class activities, and contribute to peer feedback in order to maximize learning outcomes. By the end of the course, students will be able to plan and deliver well-structured, confident, and audience-appropriate presentations for academic study and future professional contexts. II. Contact Information: Instructor: 賴政吉 語言中心副教授兼主任 Cheng-Ji Lai, Ph.D. (he/him), Associate Professor & Director, Language Center E-mail: laicj1124@nchu.edu.tw
Prerequisites				self-directed learning in the course	Y

Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%)			Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives	Competency Indicators	Ratio(%)	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
			Exercises Discussion Lecturing	Oral Presentation Internship
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content Week 1 Course Introduction & Overview of English Public and Academic Presentations Goals: Course expectations; understanding public, academic, and professional presentation contexts Week 2 Effective Introductions I: Capturing Audience Attention Goals: Purposes of introductions; opening strategies for public and academic speaking Week 3 Effective Introductions I: Capturing Audience Attention Goals: Purposes of introductions; opening strategies for public and academic speaking Week 4 Effective Introductions II: Building Connection with the Audience Goals: Storytelling, relevance, and rapport In-class activity: Students’ Personal (Indirect) Introduction Speeches Week 5 Effective Introductions III: Structuring Clear and Purposeful Openings Goals: Previewing main points; setting presentation purpose In-class activity: Students’ Personal (Indirect) Introduction Speeches Week 6 Effective Introductions IV: Refinement and Practice Goals: Polishing openings for academic and professional contexts In-class activity: Students’ Personal (Indirect) Introduction Speeches Week 7 Organizing the Body of a Presentation: Coherence and Transitions Goals: Linking ideas; signposting; logical flow Week 8 Organizing the Body of a Presentation: Coherence and Transitions Goals: Linking ideas; signposting; logical flow Week 9 Language for Academic and Professional Presentations Goals: Spoken vs. written language; clarity and audience-appropriate wording In-class activity: Students’ Introductory Academic/Professional Presentations Week 10 Language for Academic and Professional Presentations Goals: Spoken vs. written language; clarity and audience-appropriate wording In-class activity: Students’ Introductory Academic/Professional Presentations Week 11 Students’ Introductory Academic/Professional Presentations Week 12 Using Visual Aids Effectively I Goals: Design principles Week 13 Using Visual Aids Effectively II Goals: Refining slides and visual support for academic presentations Week 14 Delivery Skills: Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication Goals: Eye contact, gestures, posture, and confidence Week 15 Students’ Final Academic/Professional Presentations Week 16 Students’ Final Academic/Professional Presentations self-directed learning    05.Participation in various workshops organized by different departments of NCHU.
Evaluation
III. Course Requirements and Assessment: Final grades will be based on the following components: 1. Personal Introduction Speech (Indirect Introduction) – 20% During Weeks 3–6, each student will deliver a 1–2 minute personal introduction speech using an object (e.g., a photo, model, piece of music, or real object) that represents a personal interest, experience, or value. Rather than describing the object itself, students should focus on the meaning and significance behind it and explain why it matters to them. This task serves as an early, low-stakes speaking activity designed to help students: • gain confidence speaking in front of an audience, • practice storytelling and audience engagement, and • apply basic public speaking techniques in a supportive environment. 2. Introductory Academic or Professional Presentation – 35% During Weeks 8–11, each student will deliver a formal 3–5 minute academic or professional presentation on a topic related to their field of study, research interest, or professional goal (e.g., introducing a research topic, explaining a project idea, or presenting a product/service concept). Presentation skills, including organization, audience awareness, and delivery techniques, will be introduced and demonstrated in the early weeks of the course. This presentation emphasizes clear structure, purpose, and effective delivery rather than technical depth. 3. Final Academic or Professional Presentation – 45% During Weeks 13–16, each student will deliver a formal 7-minute final presentation that builds on the skills developed throughout the semester. The presentation should demonstrate a clear and logical structure, including: • an engaging introduction, • two to three well-developed main points supported by examples or evidence, • appropriate visual aids, and • a clear and effective conclusion. Students may choose to expand on the topic used in their introductory presentation or present a new topic. However, continuing with the same topic is strongly recommended to allow for deeper development and refinement. 4. Attendance, Lateness, and Participation Regular attendance and active participation are essential for success in this course, as speaking skills are developed through practice and feedback. • Students are allowed up to two excused absences and one unexcused absence. • Excused absences must be requested through the official student leave system and approved by the instructor. • Students who exceed the allowed number of absences will fail the course. Active participation includes completing assigned readings, engaging in in-class speaking activities, and providing constructive peer feedback.
Textbook & other References
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Office Hours
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