Can you explain why? As I understand it, you're supposed to be able to talk about the work in which you already invested the mental energy to write. Writing involves much more "brain work" than speaking, so if you've truly written the work in question, you should be capable of speaking about it -- unless you have some sort of disability, in which case, there are probably alternative avenues.
replyThis is definitely something you can't force onto students on a whim. This is a something that can be taught and worked up to though.
replyPart of college is growing as a human, and part of that is social interaction.
replyFor the same reason a lot of universities in Europe require you to take philosophy. It's completely unrelated to C++ or data-structures, but it adds to your acumen as a whole.
Not that different from some universities that require you to be able to swim[0].
I only know the Uni system of a few European countries, but generally I would expect Philosophy to be a prerequirement that you take for your entrance examinations, not during studies per se (unless you're studying humanities, of course).
replyYeah as much as I like the idea, I know there will be some brilliant and driven students who would have a hard time with this due to temperament. For me, if I’m excited about something, I can talk for hours. Maybe not so for everyone though. Then again, not all brilliant and driven students test well either, so… pick your poison?
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replyIf you don't have enough of a mastery over a subject to rapidly respond, maybe you are not fit to pass exam certifying your mastery over a subject.
replyI know world-leading experts in their field that avoid oral debates precisely because they don't think on their feet.
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