Reflections on Choosing a Prescribed Book for a University Business Presentation Skills Course : Why TED Talks Storytelling: 23 Storytelling Techniques from the Best TED Talks by Akash Karia Fits the Need

Abstract

The choice of course material is always bound to the needs and abilities of the students who will be using them. English Studies in the first quarter of the 21st century has to walk a fine line between the traditional, idealised idea of a teaching and research university offering a liberal education and the more employment-oriented, marketized idea of a university equipping students with competences for life after their studies. Offering business soft skills courses within a B.A. in English allows students to develop transferable skills whilst improving their EFL proficiency. TED Talks Storytelling by Akash Karia is reviewed against this backdrop for a course on oral business presentation skills and recommended as a suitable choice for a prescribed book.