This course is for students who have already studied for or taken the TOEFL test but hope to raise their score. It trains students' English skills in English with special focus on listening and speaking. It also introduces them to basic academic vocabulary and expressions useful for studying abroad for a short period of time.
By the end of the course students will be able to understand a few-minute speech or conversation discussing academic topics and to explain its main points and some details in English.
TOEFL 留学 コミュニケーション スピーキング力(発話力) リスニング力(聴解力)
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students are required to complete the listening, speaking, and/or vocabulary assignments before class preparing for focused discussions of their content. Each week, we will discuss a new topic, requiring the students to actively participate in class activities, debates, and presentations, while developing the students' test taking skills for the TOEFL iBT. (Note: Syllabus is subject to change based on the levels, needs, and actual number of students.)
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction to course TOEFL iBT Practice Test Ch. 1: Main Idea Questions (Listening) | Identify course aims. Acquire listening skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 2 | Ch. 1: Main Idea Questions (Listening) Ch. 2: Detail Questions (Listening) | Acquire listening skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 3 | Ch. 2: Detail Questions (Listening) Speaking Strategy: Independent Questions | Acquire listening and speaking skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 4 | Speaking Strategy: Independent Questions | Acquire speaking skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 5 | Midterm Exam Ch. 3: Function Questions (Listening) | Demonstrate knowledge of class materials. Acquire listening skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 6 | Ch. 3: Function Questions (Listening) Ch. 4: Stance Questions (Listening) | Acquire listening skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 7 | Ch. 4: Stance Questions (Listening) Speaking Strategy: Integrated Questions | Acquire listening and speaking skills for the TOEFL. |
Class 8 | Review of Material Final Presentation | Consolidation, application, and integration of skills, materials, and key concepts. Identify course aims. Demonstrate effective speaking skills for the TOEFL. |
Edmunds, Paul, Nancie McKinnon, and Jeff Zeter. 2009. Developing Skills for the TOEFL iBT, Intermediate, Listening. Second edition. Compass Publishing. (ISBN: 978-59966-353-1)
Additional reading materials and handouts will be distributed throughout the term.
Suggested websites:
TED Talks https://www.ted.com/
VOA http://www.voanews.com/
NPR http://www.npr.org/
TED, VOA and NPR provide video transcripts.
Scientific American (video and podcasts “60-second science”) http://www.scientificamerican.com/
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Class Participation: 25%
Homework and In-class Assignments: 25%
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Presentation: 25%
None
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 6.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.