A DVD compilation of President Obama's speeches has become a big hit in English language schools in Japan. Some Japanese students are now using Obama's speeches in order to help them learn English.

Makoto Ishiwata, a teacher at Kaplan Japan language school in Tokyo, encourages students to try to pronounce, punctuate and copy the body language of Obama to improve their confidence.

Makoto Ishiwata, English teacher said:
"It's from his personality, first of all, and from his technique, his rhythm in English sounds beautiful to the Japanese people who may not understand English well but still find his English something they want to learn from."

Ishiwata found reciting the speeches of great orators including assassinated former President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King an immense help in improving his English.

He introduced Obama's speech as a text into the school program last year.

The DVD booklet of Obama's victory speech in Chicago last November was a huge success.

Ebru News/Agency