Hiromi Inatsugi :Presentation

One of concerns about this semester was presentation for Americans. During this semester, I gave several presentations in classes. Those were small ones and the audience were my classmates but I was nervous every time I stood in front of people. Therefore, I thought I would be so nervous that I would faint if I give a presentation in front of many Americans.

My partners were Chiaki and Shoko. I really thank them. They helped and supported me a lot! Our presentation topic was NINJA. I was not sure how many Americans knew about Ninja, but every American I asked knew about it a little. I was relieved at that, but still I felt that Ninja might be difficult topic for Americans. Therefore, I decided to concentrate on how to make it easy to understand. On the preparation, Shoko, Chiaki, and I talked over with each other. The process of the preparation was fun!! We decided to wear Ninjas' costumes, and appear on the stage with music "mission impossible". However, We had to make the content understandable and interesting. We were concerned about that. It was very hard to explain unique things to Japan. Our teacher, Christopher, had been in Japan for a long time, so he knew about Japan very well. He understood Japanese things what we want to explain but almost all Americans didn't understand. Therefore his advice was very helpful, and our work got ahead.

When I gave presentation, what I kept in mind was "a conversational presentation". When I stood on the stage, my mind went blank, my hands were shaking and sweaty, my throat went dry, and my heart beat very fast, but I keep trying to speak conversationally with a smile. Then I could speak in light mood though I was still very nervous. I thought I prepared very well. That made me confident. Every teacher said "Be prepared!!" I felt deeply that was the most important thing. From the stage, I could see friends and teachers. They smiled at me.That relaxed me. When our presentation finished, teachers and friends said "you guys were very good!" Tears of joy ran down my face. I didn't want to give a presentation at first, but I was very very glad to have such an opportunity. Finally, I really want to thank teachers, friends, and my wonderful partners, Shoko and Chiaki.