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 |
Downloading listening resource is necessary. Attendance is taken at each class. Students are required to practice listening exercises of the textbook before class. Students are also required to practice overlapping and shadowing training during class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction to course Unit 8: Juno and marriage | Identify course aims. Overlapping and shadowing section 3 of the finished unit and exercise section 1 of the next unit. |
Class 2 | Unit 12: Whiplash and education | Overlapping and shadowing section 3 of the finished unit and exercise section 1 of the next unit. |
Class 3 | Unit 13: Experimenter and the history of violence | Overlapping and shadowing section 3 of the finished unit and exercise section 1 of the next unit. |
Class 4 | Writing exercise 1 | Research and writing an article |
Class 5 | Unit 14: Lost in Translation and lonliness | Overlapping and shadowing section 3 of the finished unit and exercise section 1 of the next unit. |
Class 6 | Unit 15: The Martian and leadership | Overlapping and shadowing section 3 of the finished unit. |
Class 7 | Writing exercise 2 | Research and writing an article |
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.
Yuto Koizumi. 2019. Listening Lessons through 15 Inspirational Movies. Tokyo: TSURUMI SHOTEN. (ISBN: 978-4-7553-0389-0)
Additional reading materials/movie clips may be introduced throughout the term.
Class Participation/quiz: 40%
Term paper: 60%
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