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 |
Students are expected to look through the textbook and answer the exercise questions before the class. In the classroom, we will check answers of the questions and contents of the reading and listening materials in detail to encourage students' understanding of basic scientific English. To review the previous lesson, mini-tests are given at the beginning of the class. In addition, there will be an opportunity for each student to give a short speech in English.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Review of the final exam of the previous term / Unit 10 Properties of matter / Unit 11 Symbols and keys | Learning basic technical and scientific English through vocabulary, reading and listening sections of the textbook. |
Class 2 | Unit 12 Natural or man-made? / Unit 13 Structures and plans | Learning basic technical and scientific English through vocabulary, reading and listening sections of the textbook. |
Class 3 | Unit 14 Cells, organs and systems / Unit 15 Chains, webs and cycles | Learning basic technical and scientific English through vocabulary, reading and listening sections of the textbook. |
Class 4 | Unit 16 Bits and bytes / Unit 17 LANs and WANs | Learning basic technical and scientific English through vocabulary, reading and listening sections of the textbook. |
Class 5 | Unit 18 Force, loads and tools / Speech Rehearsal | Learning basic technical and scientific English through vocabulary, reading and listening sections of the textbook. Learning how to deliver a good speech through a rehearsal. |
Class 6 | Short Speech | Giving a short speech in class. |
Class 7 | Review / Final exam | Reviewing and reconfirming contents of the class. |
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.
Terry Phillips, Kenji Hitomi and Eiichi Yubune, Integrated Technical English (Seibido)
To be announced in class.
Activities in class: 10% / Mini-tests: 30% / Speech: 20% / Final exam: 40%
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