International Multilingual Journal of Contemporary Research

Creative Classroom Experience Using Pecha Kucha to Encourage ESL Use in Undergraduate Business Courses: A Pilot Study
Dr. Paula May Tomsett, Michael Robert Shaw

Abstract
In an East Asian-based international college that offers undergraduate degrees with globally relevant courses across the disciplines of business administration, international finance, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment management, subjects are delivered in English, and undergraduate students engaged in the delivery of English speaking presentations through the use of original Pecha Kucha presentations. Pecha Kucha has been introduced as part of a range of multimodal teaching methods designed to enhance creative and innovative problem solving as well as encourage extemporaneous English speaking. This preliminary study was based on an end of semester survey of 35 students in the third year of a four-year undergraduate degree. All students were English Second Language (ESL) and they reported that they felt the course learning outcomes were achieved in an innovative and meaningful way as displayed by their ability to explain the course material in a clear and concise way while making creative presentations in English. They also noted that the Pecha Kucha approach was interesting and fun, elements commonly encouraged in general education that can also be beneficial in tertiary level education. This paper reviews some of the literature in the fields of multimodality and methods of teaching/learning and uses comments from the students who participated to support its conclusions. The results indicate the usefulness of Pecha Kucha and supports continuing to use this method of presentation where different aspects of learning including cognitive outcomes, creative challenge, and conceptual challenge are given priority.

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