Background and Purpose of the Program

　More and more companies are questioning their applicants' communication skills. As it is difficult for you to work alone in most job settings, the quality of your communication ability will be essential in the workplace. Companies have a large number of serious problems to deal with: "How can we communicate well?" "How can we make a convincing statement?" or "How can we satisfy our clients?" Companies in need of work-ready graduates are hoping college students will have the ability to communicate.

　 It is becoming indispensable for students to obtain the ability to communicate smoothly with a variety of people. Most of us realize the importance of being able to communicate. However, few people know what kind of communication skills they should learn. The term "communication ability" doesn't actually mean a particular skill but includes a number of faculties needed for communicating effectively with others. Furthermore, it is very difficult to improve the ability in a short space of time because daily habits have a great influence over the ability.

　 This program targets students who are socially awkward yet aspire to be technical experts in the field of engineering. The purpose of the program is to acquire skills in structuring your thinking and representation in your workplace upon graduation. The program is made up of stages so that you will be able to enter the workforce as full-fledged technicians after four years of study at the university level.

　 The object of this program is to enable you to enter into discussions without reserve. To that end, we have excluded beforehand subjects which are often felt to be difficult to learn or too technical in the early stage. Furthermore, we have incorporated the basis for thinking in every field in the arts and sciences.

Points of this Program

　The program is made up of three elements of communication: one, frame of mind; two, frame of expression; and, three, interpersonal. The first contains composition (or construction), logic, strategy, and analysis. The second includes delivery methods, such as voice production, and nonverbal messages, such as gestures. And the third has to do with the fundamentals of understanding others. As these three subjects are related interdependently and complementarily, completing one of them is not enough. You should improve your skills through the process of mutual communication, trying to make an effort to improve your way of thinking and expression, such that you can enhance the quality of your ability as a whole through a back-and-forth process. This textbook provides a step-by-step how-to guide and will enable you to learn skills, expertise, and manner according to your level of discussion skill.