Feasibility of Students Using Presentation Software in University English Communication Classes

Students using presentation software is a new computer-aided language learning (CALL) approach for the teaching of EFL speech-making. This paper documents a two-semester study of an initial trial of teaching presentation skills to 194 Japanese university students, the majority being first year non-English majors in a required general education, foreign language course. Three instructors taught PowerPoint-based speech-making in seven different classes, using a variety of instructional approaches. In six classes a presentation assignment was a major project (20-400/0 of grade) and in one class presentation-making was the sole focus of the lessons. Technical problems were listed concerning software and hardware adaptation. Finally, a 25-item student questionnaire elicited the students\u27 assessment of the program. The authors conclude that technically-inexperienced instructors should expect time consuming adjustments compared with traditional speech-making instructional approaches. Student responses, however, were fairly positive and indicated that presentation software is not only feasible for EFL instruction, but also carries a number of promising advantages.Students using presentation software is a new computer-aided language learning (CALL) approach for the teaching of EFL speech-making. This paper documents a two-semester study of an initial trial of teaching presentation skills to 194 Japanese university students, the majority being first year non-English majors in a required general education, foreign language course. Three instructors taught PowerPoint-based speech-making in seven different classes, using a variety of instructional approaches. In six classes a presentation assignment was a major project (20-400/0 of grade) and in one class presentation-making was the sole focus of the lessons. Technical problems were listed concerning software and hardware adaptation. Finally, a 25-item student questionnaire elicited the students\u27 assessment of the program. The authors conclude that technically-inexperienced instructors should expect time consuming adjustments compared with traditional speech-making instructional approaches. Student responses, however, were fairly positive and indicated that presentation software is not only feasible for EFL instruction, but also carries a number of promising advantages