English 2 follows English 1 to solidify the foundational skills for effective communication in English as well as to foster international awareness, as both are typically required in the globally expanding domain of scientific and technological research activities. It also prepares students to study or do research abroad in the future. Students are assigned training exercises that cover the four language skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The reading and listening materials include topics such as international and intercultural issues as well as the fundamentals of science and technology. Practice exercises in writing and speaking are provided so that students can develop communication competence to participate in discussions and conferences where opinions are exchanged through both text and speech. TOEFL-type exercise problems are also used in the course.
This course aims to establish a solid base on which students can build toward a higher level of communication competence specifically in an English language environment. The base is, as mentioned in "Course description and aims" of English 1, composed of three elements: (1) identifying relevant information accurately, (2) exercising fair judgement to form a valid opinion, and (3) stating opinions clearly and persuasively.
Each student is assigned to a group led by an instructor. Instructors for each group conduct the course using the "Course description and aims" and "Student learning outcomes" as the basic framework. "Class direction," "Course schedule," and other information below explain the features of each class.
By the end of this course, students will:
・Strengthen practical English abilities that are required for learning at university and for research activities both in Japan and abroad
・Be able to accurately grasp the main ideas and arguments of written and spoken materials in diverse areas including international and intercultural issues, science, and technology
・Have increased their knowledge of effective vocabulary and expressions to actively communicate their ideas and opinions in English
・Be able to write their own short paragraphs with a clear purpose
・Be able to state their opinions with good organization
Four language skills, fostering international awareness, communication skills, studying abroad, TOEFL
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students will practice reading and listening skills using the textbook. They are urged to prepare for mini tests in every class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Unit 9: 15 Million Tonners Overweight A mini test | Understand the course objectives |
Class 2 | Unit 10: Pandemic of Inactivity | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 3 | Unit 11: Debugging at Starbucks | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 4 | Unit 12: Panda-enhanced Tea | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 5 | Unit 13: Dangerous Smog in Beijing | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 6 | Unit 14: Concern about Quick-tempo TV | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 7 | Unit 15: Sharks under Threat | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Class 8 | Review and final exam | Brush up reading and listening skills |
Power Up Your English with CNN News(2015), Shinji Ogasawara / Ako Okuda / Pino Cutrone, Asahi Press.
To be announced in class.
Activities in class: 30%
Homework assignments and mini tests: 30%
Final exam: 40%
None
tamura[at]flc.titech.ac.jp
Contact by email in advance to schedule an appointment.
None.