Abstract
It is fruitful to utilize, in some cases with a critical attitude, United States presidential speeches as basically exemplary texts for learning English. In other words, these speeches have aspects of textbooks for learners of English who want to enrich their vocabulary, learn grammar, and enhance their listening and speaking skills. They also become good texts for learning speech communication and rhetoric, and may result in learning history. In fact, the ascension to the U.S. presidency of Barack Obama, who was famous for his sophisticated speeches, triggered publication in Japan of a lot of books about Obama, some of which treated his speeches as materials for learning English. On the other hand, Donald Trump, who succeeded Obama to the presidency, is infamous for his speeches and tweets, which may appear inappropriate as English textbooks, except that they are rather easy to read. Simplicity, repetitions, contradictions, lies, and emotions, to cite a few examples, characterize his language. It is undeniable, however, that this “rhetoric” of Trump’s is closely linked to the post-truth era. Thus, reading Trump’s words analytically and critically in terms of rhetoric can lead to understanding our times more properly. In this sense, Trump’s presidential speeches, together with his private tweets, which may seem peripheral but are indispensable for understanding not only him but also what is happening in the world, can be used as “textbooks.”
