John English - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Professor: John English

Department: Communication

College: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CMST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't take this class if you can avoid it. I took it for fun and regretted it immensely. The speeches are fine if you prepare and cite sources. His cross examination is intimidating, but he's a decent guy. The tests suck. It's 40 "name the 5 components of___" type questions. All free response and from the book not things covered in class. Dont skip

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CMST1500
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is willing to help and gives a lot of useful feedbacks. He can provide you with good ideas of speech topics, but still you have to make a LOT of effort. All the speeches and exams follow each other so you might be stressful the whole semester. Lectures are clear and most of the stuff presented will show up in the three non-accumulated exams.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CMST1500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Didn't think that English was as clear as everyone mentioned here. Didn't give the clearest instructions when I went in with outlines, and in cross-examination sometimes didn't ask pertinent questions. This class is A LOT of work -- research takes up a lot of time and there are exams. Didn't think it was super helpful overall.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Without a doubt the most beneficial college course I took! Seven years after graduating, I still review the principles that Professor English instilled from this class. Echoing what others have said and just good advice in general is to spend extra time with your professors. Only critique, the tests made up way too much of the grade...

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This class is what you make of it. The syllabus is essentially non-existent and he comes off in class as being very harsh, but when you go to him he is quite helpful. Taking public speaking is useful, of course, but if you can take it with another professor your grade will thank you.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

CMST 100 with Professor English has been the best and most helpful class I've taken since I've been at Vanderbilt. English is a tough grader and tries to intimidate you, but if you listen to him it will pay off. Pro tip: Go to his morning office hours, he loves to see you go that extra mile beyond the extra mile by waking up early.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great guy and a great teacher. Do plan on working a lot, and make sure you STUDY HARD for the written tests. You might not think a written test is a hard thing for a class like this, it is. He's very helpful outside of class and really just wants to see us succeed. I'll be taking his advanced class, though my GPA will not thank me.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I can't express how important this class is, as well as its teacher. Take the class, you won't regret it. Make sure you get your speeches done ahead of time, go to office hours, show interest, and you will be fine. Professor English tries to come off as scary, but he really isn't. He is the reason I'm a Communication Studies major now. TAKE HIM!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The best professor I had in at Vanderbilt. If you reach out to him and meet with him outside of class, you can receive a good grade. Go to his office ask for topic ideas, bring him your outlines; if you do this he will give you clear instructions on what he is looking for. One of the most interesting professors on campus and a great mentor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Without a doubt, you will become a better public speaker after taking his class. He'll find all the holes in your argument, so prepare for cross examination, but his grading isn't that hard. Tests are straightforward as long as you pay attention to his lectures, handouts, and outline the chapters. Great professor. Highly Recommend.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

After this class you will have confidence in public speaking, credible research and valuable critical thinking skills. Prof. English makes attendance mandatory and has students write a 1-2 page paper to review and critique their own speeches which encourages self reflection and growth. You will take away so much from Prof. English and this class!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I heard a lot of talk about him before taking his class, but I definitely recommend it. I took it first semester freshman year, and I think the skills I learned will help me through the rest of college. Yes cross-examination sucks, but he's so nice when you talk to him outside of class. Your grade definitely reflects the amount of effort you put in

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMM100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Yeah, the class was hard. But it's definitely possible to pull off a good grade if you put in the work. Cross-examination is AWFUL but it doesn't actually count for anything. He's a big softie, and if you go to his office hours, you'll see that. Take this class if you're interested in communications! Non-CMST majors beware...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMM100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is very scary when it comes to cross examination (I teared up once...). Very strict on his expectations and is really really strict about attendance and assignments. Tests are pretty hard too and require a lot of studying/reading out of the book

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor English will make you an amazing public speaker. BUT, there are some negatives. His grades are incredibly deflated (one or two kids each class pull off an A-), and he refuses to even think of the possibility that a student could be right. He could use a class on acting much more humble. Became a great pub. speaker but not without a price.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMM100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you don't take this class you are an idiot. Professor English is an amazing professor who will challenge you initially and if you heed his advise and put your heart and soul into your speeches you will not only becoming an immensely more capable public speaker, but also an immensely more capable student.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is the man. He's a great teacher who will push you to do well and is willing to help you if you need it. Tests are tricky but not impossible. I've never taken a public speaking course before this and now I love it. Take this class if you come to Vandy.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Honestly the best professor I've ever had. You will have to work extremely hard on all 5 speeches if you expect to do well on them

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CMST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Absolutely phenomenal. Professor English makes his insanely high expectations very clear. DO NOT take anything he teaches for an easy A. Take his courses if you want to drastically improve your public speaking, debate, and research skills. He is very critical and gives intense cross examinations. Meet with him during office hours when possible.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CMST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Challenging and tough, he knows how to push your buttons. He's always willing to take time to talk about your speeches and he definitely pushes you because he wants you to succeed. Very difficult class, but well worth it. Go to class and be on time - he takes points off for absence/tardiness.