English 4 is designed to improve students’ English language skills for academic purposes and provide them with knowledge in relevant areas. The materials include topics such as international and intercultural issues as well as current topics of science and technology. Expectations require students to practice: reading academic articles, listening to lectures in English, speaking in front of an audience, and writing paragraphs and short essays.
There are two types of classes in English 4. RW classes focus on reading comprehension and skill in written composition, and LS classes focus on listening and oral expression.
Each student is assigned to a class and instructors for each class conduct the course using “Course description and aims”, “Student learning outcomes”, and “Keywords” as the basic framework.
By the end of this course, students will:
・ Have improved their English skills required for learning at university and for research activities
・ Be able to understand written and spoken materials correctly in diverse areas including international and intercultural issues, science, and technology
・ Be able to write paragraphs and short essays with unity and coherence
・ Have gained confidence in using English to state their opinions and improved their oral expression skills.
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 read the textbook closely before the class. In the classroom, the instructor helps students to comprehend the grammatical structure of the text and to understand its content and context fully. In addition, students learn academic writing skills through various activities.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Unit 11 Music: Notation and American Songs / Essay Writing (Paraphrase and summary) | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. Learning how to refer to ideas in other sources. |
Class 2 | Unit 21 Language Arts (5): ’Twas the Night Before Christmas / Essay Writing (References) | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. Learning how to make a reference list. |
Class 3 | Unit 21 Language Arts (5): ’Twas the Night Before Christmas / Essay Writing (Linking words and phrases) | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. To write a logical essay, learning linking words and phrases. |
Class 4 | Unit 6 Fine Arts (2): Monet and Van Gogh / Essay Writing (Academic word choice) | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. Learning word choice suitable for academic writing. |
Class 5 | Unit 6 Fine Arts (2): Monet and Van Gogh / Essay Writing (Format) | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. Learning the format of an English essay. |
Class 6 | Unit 8 World History (2): America in the 1920s / Peer editing | Reading the text accurately and comprehending its content and context deeply. Before the submission of the essay, proofreading the partner's essay and pointing out revisions each other. |
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.
E. D. Hirsch Jr., Fundamentals: Cultural Literacy for Students (Tsurumi Shoten)
To be announced in class
Activities in class: 20% / Writing assignments: 30% / Final exam: 50%
(In case of online classes, the grading system will be changed as follows: Activities in class: 20% / Writing assignment: 30% / Translation assignments: 50%)
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