The benefits of original notes for english learners’ improvisational speeches: Analysis of free descriptive answers on a survey
List of Authors
  • Fumiya Shinozaki

Keyword
  • notes, improvisational speech, junior high school

Abstract
  • Improving English speaking abilities without sufficient preparation is a long-standing challenge for EFL learners. Japanese junior high school students took six English lessons in which they practiced one-minute speeches and created their own original notes. These notes comprised of a speech, useful words and expressions, common or versatile topics to discuss, and comments for next time. They also updated and revised the notes. After multiple revisions, a survey was conducted to find the effects of writing original notes in making improvisational speeches. The results were then analysed through text mining and the KJ method, often employed in qualitative research as a way to obtain new ideas. The findings indicated that all students had positive impressions on the notes. In addition, the top 20% regarded the notes as a useful method to recall English vocabulary or expressions, whereas the bottom 20% found benefits in how to construct and outline an understandable speech.

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