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 |
For each of the following units in the textbook:
1. Students are required to read the text closely and to do the exercises before coming to class.
2. The instructor (1) checks the answers, (2) clarifies the essential points, (3) teaches useful expressions, and (4) has them do some other exercises.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Review of English 1 | To review the final exam of English 1 |
Class 2 | Unit 5: Solids, Liquids and Gases Grammar: Relative Clauses | 1. To understand about three states of matter 2. To learn the words and phrases related to them 3. To learn how to use relative clauses |
Class 3 | Unit 6: Electricity Grammar: Conditional Sentences | 1. To understand about electricity 2. To learn the words and phrases related to it 3. To learn how to use conditional sentences |
Class 4 | Unit 7: Geometry | 1. To understand about geometry 2. To learn the words and phrases related to it |
Class 5 | Unit 8: Chemistry in Everyday Life Grammar: Passive Voice | 1. To understand about chemistry in everyday life 2. To learn the words and phrases related to it 3. To learn how to use the passive voice |
Class 6 | Story 3: The Nobel Prize | To read an article about a study which won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 |
Class 7 | Final exam Review | To measure the students' achievement; To review the main points |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
SASAJIMA Shigeru, et al. _CLIL Basic Science & Math_. Tokyo: Sanshusha, 2018.
Handouts are given in class when necessary.
Students are assessed on the degree to which they can put what they have learned in class to practical use.
Activities in class & homework assignments: 30%
Final Exam: 70%
None
It is possible that the planned activities may be altered, depending on the students' achievement, etc.