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Eiken Pre-1 Speaking Presents

Family, Education & Global

Eiken Pre-1 Speaking — Part 5
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The Winning Formula (40-45 Sec)

Follow this structure for every question. Examiners expect a clear opinion, two supported reasons, and a conclusion.

1
Opinion — State your position clearly (5 sec)
2
Reason 1 + Example — First supporting point with concrete detail (15-20 sec)
3
Reason 2 + Example — Second supporting point with evidence (15-20 sec)
4
Conclusion — Restate your position with conviction (5 sec)

Filler Phrases — Buy Time

Silence is penalized. Use these phrases naturally to buy thinking time.

That's a complex issue...
I've been thinking about this...
Based on my experience...
I would say...
It's hard to say, but...
From what I understand...
Family — 3 Questions
Q1 Should the government do more to increase the birth rate in Japan?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Should government take action? (YES)
  • Reason 1: What problems come from low birth rates? (aging society, economy)
  • Reason 2: What can government do? (financial support, childcare)
  • Conclusion: Why is this urgent?
Key vocab: declining birth rate aging society financial support childcare facilities future workforce
Model Answer

"Yes, absolutely. Japan's declining birth rate is creating serious challenges for the future economy and social security system. The government should provide better financial support and more affordable childcare facilities to help families. So taking action now is essential for maintaining a stable workforce."

Director's Notes

  • "declining birth rate" 「出生率の低下」。日本の重要な社会問題
  • "social security system" 「社会保障制度」。少子化が影響する分野
  • "financial support" 「経済的支援」。政府の具体的対策
  • "affordable childcare" 「手頃な保育」。子育て世代への支援
  • "stable workforce" 「安定した労働力」。経済への長期的影響
Q2 Do children these days spend enough time with their parents?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Are parents making more effort now?
  • What about weekends and holidays?
  • How has awareness changed?
  • Why are parents so busy? (work hours)
  • What distracts children? (devices, activities)
  • What are the effects of this?
Key vocab: quality time work-life balance busy schedules family bonding extracurricular activities
Yes

"SIDE: "I think many parents today are making real efforts to spend quality time with their children. Awareness about work-life balance has improved significantly. Many families prioritize weekends and holidays for activities together. So overall, the situation is better than it was in the past."

Director's Notes

  • "quality time" 「質の高い時間」。単なる時間の長さより内容重視
  • "awareness has improved" 「意識が改善された」。社会的変化を示す
  • "prioritize" 「優先する」。意識的な選択を表現
  • "activities together" 「一緒の活動」。具体的な親子時間
  • "better than...the past" 「過去より良い」。時代比較で進歩を強調
No

"SIDE: "I don't think so. Many parents work long hours and have little time for their children during weekdays. Additionally, children are often busy with extracurricular activities and homework. So families struggle to find meaningful time together, which affects parent-child relationships."

Director's Notes

  • "work long hours" 「長時間働く」。日本の労働文化の問題
  • "little time for" 「〜のための時間がほとんどない」。時間不足を強調
  • "extracurricular activities" 「課外活動」。子供の忙しさ
  • "struggle to find" 「見つけるのに苦労する」。困難さの表現
  • "affects relationships" 「関係に影響を与える」。結果を示す
Q3 Do you think that parents should control their child's academic performance?
Advanced

Think About It First

  • Why do children need guidance?
  • What role should parents play?
  • How does structure help children?
  • What happens when parents control too much?
  • Why is independence important?
  • How can pressure hurt children?
Key vocab: guidance vs control independence pressure self-motivation support
Yes

"SIDE: "I believe parents should be involved, but not in a controlling way. Children benefit from guidance and structure, especially when they're young. Parents can help set study schedules and provide support when needed. So appropriate parental involvement leads to better academic outcomes."

Director's Notes

  • "be involved, but not...controlling" 「関与する、しかし支配的でない」。バランスの重要性
  • "benefit from guidance" 「指導から恩恵を受ける」。ポジティブな影響
  • "provide support" 「サポートを提供する」。親の役割の定義
  • "appropriate involvement" 「適切な関与」。極端を避ける表現
  • "academic outcomes" 「学業成果」。結果を示す専門用語
No

"SIDE: "No, I don't think parents should control their child's studies. Excessive control creates pressure and can harm children's mental health. Moreover, children need to develop independence and self-motivation. So parents should support, not control, their child's learning journey."

Director's Notes

  • "excessive control" 「過度な支配」。問題のある親の行動
  • "harm mental health" 「メンタルヘルスを害する」。深刻な影響
  • "develop independence" 「自立心を育てる」。子供の成長目標
  • "self-motivation" 「自己動機付け」。内発的動機の重要性
  • "support, not control" 「支配でなくサポート」。対比で理想を示す
Education — 2 Questions
Q4 Do you think teachers should give less homework to students?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • What problems come from too much homework?
  • How does it affect students' well-being?
  • What other activities are important?
  • Why is practice important?
  • How does homework reinforce learning?
  • What about preparing for exams?
Key vocab: overwhelming reinforce learning balance free time academic pressure
Yes

"SIDE: "Yes, I think so. Students today are overwhelmed with homework, which leaves little time for other important activities. Excessive homework creates stress and can harm their mental health. So reducing homework would help students maintain a healthier balance in their lives."

Director's Notes

  • "overwhelmed with" 「〜に圧倒される」。過度な負担の表現
  • "leaves little time" 「時間がほとんど残らない」。時間不足
  • "excessive homework" 「過度な宿題」。問題の核心
  • "harm mental health" 「メンタルヘルスを害する」。深刻な影響
  • "maintain a balance" 「バランスを維持する」。理想的な状態
No

"SIDE: "I don't think so. Homework helps students reinforce what they learn in class. Regular practice is essential for mastering difficult subjects like math and science. Furthermore, homework prepares students for important exams. So maintaining homework is necessary for academic success."

Director's Notes

  • "reinforce what they learn" 「学んだことを強化する」。宿題の教育的価値
  • "regular practice" 「定期的な練習」。継続性の重要性
  • "mastering difficult subjects" 「難しい科目を習得する」。高度な学習目標
  • "prepares for" 「〜に備える」。将来への準備
  • "academic success" 「学業的成功」。最終目標
Q5 Do you think that public universities should be free of charge for everyone?
Advanced

Think About It First

  • Why is education a right?
  • How does cost limit opportunities?
  • What benefits come from educated citizens?
  • Where would funding come from?
  • Would free education reduce quality?
  • Should people pay for what they use?
Key vocab: equal opportunity financial burden taxpayer money quality of education investment in future
Yes

"SIDE: "Yes, I strongly believe so. Education should be accessible to everyone regardless of their financial background. High tuition creates a barrier for talented students from low-income families. Moreover, an educated population benefits society as a whole. So free public universities are an investment in our nation's future."

Director's Notes

  • "accessible to everyone" 「誰もがアクセスできる」。平等の原則
  • "regardless of" 「〜に関係なく」。条件を排除する表現
  • "creates a barrier" 「障壁を作る」。不平等の具体化
  • "benefits society as a whole" 「社会全体に利益をもたらす」。広い影響
  • "investment in future" 「未来への投資」。長期的視点
No

"SIDE: "I don't think that's practical. Free universities would require massive government funding from taxpayers. This could lead to reduced quality or overcrowded classrooms. Additionally, people who directly benefit from university education should contribute to its cost. So a system with scholarships for those in need makes more sense."

Director's Notes

  • "not practical" 「実用的でない」。現実的な困難を指摘
  • "massive government funding" 「大規模な政府資金」。財政的負担
  • "reduced quality" 「質の低下」。懸念される結果
  • "directly benefit" 「直接恩恵を受ける」。受益者の特定
  • "makes more sense" 「より理にかなう」。代替案の提示
Global — 2 Questions
Q6 Do you think that efforts by developed countries can help to reduce global warming?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • What resources do developed countries have?
  • What technology can they develop?
  • How can they lead by example?
  • Is this a global problem requiring all nations?
  • What about developing countries' emissions?
  • Can developed countries alone make enough impact?
Key vocab: global cooperation technology transfer renewable energy developing nations carbon emissions
Yes

"SIDE: "Yes, definitely. Developed countries have the financial resources and technology to lead the fight against climate change. They can invest heavily in renewable energy and develop cleaner technologies. Furthermore, they can share these innovations with developing nations. So their leadership is crucial for reducing global warming."

Director's Notes

  • "financial resources" 「財源」。先進国の優位性
  • "lead the fight" 「戦いをリードする」。主導的役割
  • "invest heavily in" 「〜に大きく投資する」。大規模な取り組み
  • "share innovations" 「革新を共有する」。国際協力
  • "crucial for" 「〜に極めて重要」。不可欠性の強調
No

"SIDE: "I don't think developed countries alone can solve this problem. Global warming requires cooperation from all nations, including developing countries with growing emissions. Even if developed countries reduce their emissions, it won't be enough without global participation. So we need worldwide commitment, not just action from wealthy nations."

Director's Notes

  • "alone can't solve" 「単独では解決できない」。限界の指摘
  • "requires cooperation" 「協力を必要とする」。集団的責任
  • "growing emissions" 「増加する排出量」。新興国の課題
  • "won't be enough" 「十分ではない」。不十分さの強調
  • "worldwide commitment" 「世界的なコミットメント」。包括的解決策
Q7 Should people make more effort to contribute to world peace?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Should individuals contribute more? (YES)
  • Reason 1: What can individuals do? (cultural understanding, tolerance)
  • Reason 2: Why is grassroots effort important?
  • Conclusion: How does this create change?
Key vocab: cultural understanding promote tolerance grassroots efforts collective action peaceful coexistence
Model Answer

"Yes, absolutely. While governments play a major role, individual efforts matter too. People can promote cultural understanding and tolerance in their communities. Moreover, grassroots movements have historically driven significant social change. So everyone should contribute to creating a more peaceful world through their daily actions."

Director's Notes

  • "play a major role" 「大きな役割を果たす」。重要性の認識
  • "individual efforts matter" 「個人の努力も重要」。個人の力の肯定
  • "promote tolerance" 「寛容を促進する」。平和への具体的行動
  • "grassroots movements" 「草の根運動」。市民主導の変革
  • "through daily actions" 「日常の行動を通じて」。実践的なアプローチ