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2019　English 1 9

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Academic unit or major
English language courses
Instructor(s)
Kondo Akiko 
Class Format
Exercise     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon1-2(W321)  
Group
9
Course number
LAE.E111
Credits
1
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2019/11/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

English 1 defines and solidifies the foundational skills for effective communication in English as well as fosters 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 confidence and 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 base on which students can build toward a higher level of communication competence specifically in an English language environment. The base is 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. English 1 covers these three elements, and the communication abilities acquired will help students in the future when they have to assume positions of responsibility in group activities.

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.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will:
・Become aware of the degree to which practical English abilities are required for learning at university and for research activities both in Japan and abroad
・Be able to 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
・Have gained confidence in using English to state their opinions
・Be able to understand the structural characteristics of good paragraphs and write their own short paragraphs with unity and coherence

Keywords

Four language skills, fostering international awareness, communication skills, studying abroad, TOEFL

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This class will focus on developing students' reading and listening abilities and writing skills by reading newspaper articles in Japan and abroad, listening to short sentences and conversations about the topics related to each article, and writing sentences using some of the expressions learned. After doing a listening quiz and learning new vocabulary, students will read the article, understand its details, practice reading the article aloud, and do writing exercises and dictation practice.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Class introduction The purpose and format of TOEFL Comprehend the objective of the course.
Class 2 Chapter1 Japan's smart speaker market heats up as Line faces off against Google and Amazon Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 13-18 of the textbook.
Class 3 Chapter2 Race is on to set up Europe's electric car charging network Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages xx-xx of the textbook.
Class 4 Chapter3 Sumo association to thank women for providing first aid on dohyo Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 27-32 of the textbook.
Class 5 Chapter4 Head of ruined kimono business faces the music and says sorry Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 34-39 of the textbook.
Class 6 Chapter5 Lawmakers weigh compensation for victims of forced sterilization under Japan's defunct eugenics law Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 41-46 of the textbook.
Class 7 Chapter6 Top Japan court finds paying NHK broadcast fee "legal obligation" Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 48-53 of the textbook.
Class 8 Review and term-end examination Review the scope of the exam.

Textbook(s)

Watanabe, Aoi, and Takayuki Ishi, Jump into the World through News in English, Sanshusha
ISBN: 978-4-384-33484-5

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Reference books will be introduced in class.

Assessment criteria and methods

Grading will be based on the following: Term-end examination (60%), mini tests (10%), and in-class contribution (30%).

Related courses

  • LAE.E112 ： English 2
  • LAE.E113 ： English 3
  • LAE.E114 ： English 4
  • LAE.E211 ： English 5
  • LAE.E212 ： English 6
  • LAE.E213 ： English 7
  • LAE.E214 ： English 8
  • LAE.E311 ： English 9

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None

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