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.
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
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 |
1. Quick Response (repetition of sentences, E-J J-E translation of words and sentences)
2. Listening to short passages in English followed by note-taking, listening to numbers in English
3. Reading the textbook, one chapter a week
4. Vocabulary test to be conducted every other week (as a listening practice)
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | self-introduction in English, explanation on the textbook and the class in general | express yourself in English |
Class 2 | Chapter 9 / An Introduction to Islam follow exercises in the chapter | reading aloud 1 minute sight translation |
Class 3 | finish chapter 9 watch on youtube a concert by a singer mentioned in the chapter | check grammar and vocabulary |
Class 4 | Chapter 3 / Stamp Out Bullying crossword puzzle to see how words are defined | sight translation analyze structure of the text |
Class 5 | Finish Chapter 3 followed by a vocabulary test for Chapter 9 and 3 | review of the vocabulary |
Class 6 | Chapter 10 / It's a Big Issue read the actual magazine "The Big Issue" crossword puzzle 2 | sight translation and check vocabulary |
Class 7 | Finish Chapter 10 and start Chapter 3 / Speed Performance crossword on the Olympics | sight translation and check structure of the text |
Class 8 | review and vocabulary test for the four chapters | check level of understanding by answering questions given in English |
PRISM orange, visual and audio materials prepared by instructor
handouts to be distributed at each lesson
results of vocabulary and review tests, active participation in class, submission of assignments
None