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 |
We will use only English in class. Students are required to read the relevant unit and prepare in advance. Students are also required to participate in class actively. Review each unit because a review quiz will be regularly given in class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Unit 7 Media Studies | Students will watch a short university-level media studies lecture and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lecture. |
Class 2 | Unit 7 Media Studies Unit 8 Biology | Students will watch short university-level media studies and biology lecture and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lectures. |
Class 3 | Unit 7 Test Unit 8 Biology | Students will watch a short university-level biology lecture and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lecture. |
Class 4 | Unit 8 Test Unit 9 Business | Students will watch a short university-level business lecture and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lecture. |
Class 5 | Unit 9 Astronomy Unit 10 History | Students will watch short university-level astronomy and history lectures and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lectures. |
Class 6 | Unit 9 Test Unit 10 History, Unit 11 Philosophy | Students will watch short university-level history and philosophy lectures and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lectures. |
Class 7 | Unit 10 Test Unit 11 Philosophy, Unit 12 Information Technology | Students will watch short university-level philosophy and IT lectures and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lectures. |
Class 8 | Unit 11 Test Unit 12 Information Technology, Final Examination | Students will watch a short university-level IT lecture and practice note-taking as well as answer questions based on the lecture. |
Contemporary Topics 1, Intermediate: 21st Century Skills for Academic Success, 4th Edition, Pearson Education (2017) ISBN-10: 013440064X
ISBN-13: 9780134400648
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In-class performance: 30%
Quizzes and final exam: 70%
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