Kigaru ni Austausch Public Speaking Course 2025

- Do you have a deep passion for your research or a compelling personal story that you wish to share with a broader audience?
- Are you interested in making your presentations both captivating and easy to understand?
- Would you like to improve your public speaking skills in a safe space full of like-minded people?
Then this course is the perfect opportunity for YOU!
Presenting is a key competence for researchers and scientists. That is why the DAAD Regional Office Tokyo invites students and young researchers from Germany and Japan to apply to this intensive online public speaking course. In direct conversation with bilingual expert Atsuko Kohata, you will learn how to improve your presentation techniques and effectively communicate your areas of interest to an international audience unfamiliar with the subject. After the coaching, you will give a presentation in English at the event series “Kigaru ni Austausch” in front of German and Japanese students and researchers supported by DAAD. A certificate of completion can be issued upon request.
How does the course work?
The course consists of five modules. Participation in all modules is required for completion. The program is held completely online. Between modules you will work on your individual presentations.

- Kickoff workshop: You get to know the other participants and your coach and get started on your presentation.
Date: Saturday, April 12, 16:00-19:00 JST / 9:00-12:00 CEST. - First private coaching session: You will prepare the first version of your presentation and send a video recording to your coach in advance of the session. During the session you will receive feedback from your coach and define your individual challenges.
Date: Finish your first session by May 31. - Second private coaching session: You will refine your presentation and work on your individual challenges together with your coach.
Deadline: Finish your second session by June 21. - Practice presentations: You present in front of your peers and get additional feedback.
Date: July 12 (Sat) or July 13 (Sun), 16:00-19:00 JST / 9:00-12:00 CEST. - Final presentation: You give your final presentation at a “Kigaru ni Austausch” event.
Deadline: Finish before November 28.
You can find the detailed schedule and requirements here: PDF
About “Kigaru ni Austausch” and possible topics
You can learn more about the Kigaru ni Austausch event series and past presentation topics here.
Questions?
Please contact Ms. Rachel Martin of the DAAD Regional Office Tokyo at martin@daadjp.com.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to German and Japanese students (in their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral studies) and postdocs (doctorate within the past six years) of all subjects who have an interest in the other country and who can give a 15–25-minute talk in English. Students and postdocs of other nationalities can apply if they are receiving a DAAD scholarship in Japan.
Note: Please apply only if you are ready to commit the necessary time and energy to this program (see schedule and requirements above).
Apply now!
To apply, please fill in the online application form below by March 27, 2025.
https://www.daad.de/surveys/364714?lang=en
*If more applications are received than there are places available, a selection of participants will be made. The selection will primarily be based on the originality and relevance of the proposed topic, but attention will also be paid to the balance between genders and nationalities.