先日に、スピーキング力の向上に繋がった学習方法をご紹介しました。
前回のおさらい
英語プレゼンに初チャレンジしたときに行った「スピーチ原稿丸暗記」。
スピーキング力の向上に繋がったと感じたポイントがこちらです。
- 英文のストックが増えた
- 英語の音が染み付く
英語学習では、自分の変化をすぐ実感することは難しい。でも、この実践後には、自分に起きた変化をしっかりと感じることができました。
実際のプレゼン原稿について
今回は、実際に行ったプレゼンの原稿をご紹介。
2012年にしたフィリピン留学（1回目）の卒業直前に、学校の先生・生徒さんに向けて行ったときのものです。緊張してプルプルしてました。懐かしき思い出。
入学時のレベルはTOEIC645点、スピーキングはIntermediate。
一部削りましたが、ほぼ全文です。ぎこちなかったり、よりよい表現へとブラッシュアップできる部分もたくさんありますが、まずはそのまま掲載してます。シンプルな単語・文法を使った文章。
15分を想定した内容なので、文字にするとかなりの量になりますね。（Wordでカウントしたら、タイトルも含んだ単語数は1,464。117文前後でした。）
【追記】文法・単語などの修正箇所も含んだレビュー、やりました。
テーマは大好きな「Cirque du Soleil（シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ）」について。
Speech Script（about 15 minutes）
Cirque du Soleil 〜The secrets of their Success〜
==============================
【1】INTRODUCTION
==============================
1.1 Introduction of Myself
Good morning, everyone! How are you? Before I start with my presentaion, let me introduce myself.
My name is Mai. I was born in Kanagawa prefecture. Now, I live with my husband in Hanoi city, where he works as a venture capitalist. I have been living a happy life with him and my cute little rabbit, "Rantaro".
1.2 About the Topic
Today I would like to tell you about ”Cirque du Soleil”.
”Cirque du Soleil” is the most famous and successful circus entertainment group in the world. ”Cirque du Soleil” is a French word, which means "Circus of the Sun" in English. That's why their company's logo was designed like the shape of the sun.
It's just a practical circus, but their show is said to be "beyond the circus, it's an art!!"
（Does anybody know ”Cirque du Soleil”? Have you ever seen their show?）
1.3 the Reasons why I Chose it
There are 2 reasons why I chose this topic.
First, I simply like to see their shows. Actually, I've been to Las Vegas several times just to see their shows. They have their own theaters there. It gives me courage.
Second, I would like to share about how they made a big success in the
entertainment market, where in recent years, the circus market has been decreasing. Cirque du Soleil is the only group that could make a big success in this market.
In the end of my presentation, I'm going to explain about their success.
1.4 About this presentation
I'm going to tell you about this topic around 15 minutes. If you'll have any questions, please ask me after my presentation. Let's start.
==============================
【2】MAIN
==============================
I divided today's topic into 4 points; its history, its style, its originality and uniqueness, and its secerts of success. Let's get started.
2.1 History
The first one is about its history.
”Cirque du Soleil” is a Canadian entertainment company. Their headquarters is located in Quebec, Canada. It was established in 1984 by a street performer of fire eating, whose name is Guy Laliberte. Now he is the CEO of "Cirque du Soleil".
They are now managing a circus school to train new performers. These pictures are their training studio.
Let's move on to the next point.
2.2 Style
The second one is about its style.
ーGlobal Development
Now 21 shows of "Cirque du Soleil" are already held in different countries such as Las Vegas, China and some European countries.
ーTwo types of Show
They have 2 types of shows; the residence shows at the theater and the temporary shows as a tour. When they hold a tour, they build a tent, which is called "Big Top".
ーCompany Growth
Now 10 million people see their show in a year. More than 40 million people have already seen their shows at least one time. Regarding its sales, the total revenue was $850 million in 2011. As you can see in this graph, from 1997 to last year, the revenue jumped up from $100 million to $850 milion.
ーOrganization
Next, regarding the organization, about 5000 people belong to ”Cirque du Soleil”. ”Cirque du Soleil” was just a one group but in 1999 they changed their style. They put up other teams for them to concentrate on each show. Every team consists of 100-150 members that have their own roles as a director, performer, make-up artist, costume designer, and so on.
ーPerformance
Next, regarding their performance, they have a variety of
performance in a show such as Juggling, Magic, Synchronized swimming, Trampoline, death defying acts, and so on. In one show, you can see 8-10 kinds of performance.
I can't explain well all of their performance, but I can show you 2 videos from their official website.
（Official website：explain the show）
［Video1］This video is a trailer of "O". You can see this at Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. I think it is one of the most ecxiting shows. It is dynamic and fantastic.
［Video2］Next, the second performance that I'm going to show you is my favorite. This show is called "Quidum". The man and the woman are challenging to the limit of human.
(How's their show?) They always give me courage. Everytime I see their show, I can feel "There is nothing impossible in my life". They always stimulate me. If you want to see another one, you can see them at their website.
Let's move on to the third point.
2.3 Originality and Uniqueness
The third one is about its originality and uniqueness.
These are the points. It makes their shows totally different from other circus.
ーNOT using animals
First, they don't use any animals in their shows. It is very common to use animals in circus. They only use their bodies and challengeing to the limit of human. In addition, there is a reason why they don't use any animals in their business aspect. Later I'll explain the details.
ーArtistic Aspects
Second, they added some artistic aspects to the circus where they added a story and a theme. Mainly, the target of traditional circus are usually children, but they tried to change people's mind, so they made a show that will interest the adults.
［1］Please look at the picture on your right below. In fact,this show's theme is "SEXALITY". It contains some extreme things, so only people age 18 and avobe can see this show.
［2］Let me introduce another one. This is "Dralion". The show was named from two creatures,the Dragon and the Lion. (the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West.) The story is about the four elements which govern the natural order of elements, taking on its human form. Blue is air, yellow is earth,green is water and red is fire. In the world of Dralion, cultures blend, Man and Nature are one,and
balance is achieved.
In this way, they create their original world perfectly and succeeded in getting a new customer segment. Let's move on the next one.
ーDynamic Stage Equipment
Third, in addition to an artistic aspects, by using a dynamic stage equipment, they made a success of increasing their entertainment dramatically. For example, as we've already seen the show "O", they use a huge pool in this show. By using such a dynamic stage equipment, they attract the people.
Let's move on to the next one.
ーHigh Level Performer
Forth, to create a high level performance, they recruit and promote some olympic athletes as a performer. In fact, some athletes of Synchronized swimming perform in this show.
By creating original shows in this ways, they attract a lot of people. They could make a big success.
2.4 Secret of Success
In the last part, I will explain its secrets of success, about their strategy. Let me introduce you their 2 strategies.
ーCutting the Cost
The first strategy is as follows. As I have told you a while ago, they don't use animals. The reason why they don't use animals is to cut down the cost on maintaining and taking care of animals. Furthermore, the other reason is because of backlash from animal rights organizations against using animals in circus. That's why they don't use animals in their shows.
ーCasino bussiness model
The second strategy is the Casino business model. They made contract with the Casino Hotels. Most of the theaters are into the casino hotels such as Bellagio Hotel and Mirage hotel in Las vegas.
There are 2 major benefits on partnership with the Casino Hotels.
[Attracting People] First is the way on atrracting customers. 4000 people visit the hotel in one night every day. The Casino hotel can only attract many customers.
[Theater Construction] The construction fee of the theater is more than 100 billion, which is paid all by the hotels. Regarding the production costs, the casino hotels bear 50%. Regarding ticket sales, they share 50% for each.
Of course, there is a merit to the Casino hotels. For the Casino hotels, it is a good opportunity to improve their image.
==============================
【3】Conclusion／Q&A
==============================
They are not just an entertainment group, but a great strategist. They avoid competing with other circus and created a new market that has not existed in the world. It led them to making a big success in the entertainment market.
Thank you for listnening and coming to my presentation. Let me close it by announcing that they will have a tour in the Philippines. Thank you for your time and attenttion.
(Do you have any questions?）
最後にひとこと
この原稿は15分間とちょっと長め。卒業前の追い込みチャレンジとなりました。
プレゼン本番に向けた一連の作業と練習が、スピーキング力に影響を与えました。実際にレベルチェックテストでは、Intermediate（入学時）→ High Intermediate（卒業時）へ。4週間の滞在ではありましたが、成果を残すことができました。
3-5分くらいの短めスピーチにもトライしたので、またご紹介しますね。
