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 |
The focus of this class will be to improve students’ listening and speaking abilities by listening to news materials from AFP World Academic Archive. After learning important words and phrases used in the news story, students will listen to the news, do listening comprehension quizzes and dictation practice, understand the details of the news, and practice reading its script aloud. They will also read commentary on the news and practice speaking their opinions about the issue by using the expressions learned.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Lesson 8 Alternative vs Fossil Energy: Power for the future & Lesson 9 Vegetarians vs Meat Eaters: Fighting dietary habits for the environment | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 53-66 of the textbook. |
Class 2 | Lesson 9 Vegetarians vs Meat Eaters: Fighting dietary habits for the environment & Lesson 10 Endangered Species vs Diplomacy: Animal rights Mini Test | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 60-73 of the textbook. |
Class 3 | Lesson 11 Old vs New Industries: Solving unemployment & Lesson 12 Needed vs Not Needed: Affirmative action | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 74-86 of the textbook. |
Class 4 | Lesson 12 Needed vs Not Needed: Affirmative action & Lesson 13 Traditional vs Innovative: Food culture you prefer Mini Test | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 81-92 of the textbook. |
Class 5 | Lesson 14 Climate Change vs Natural Cycle: Is Earth really warming? & Lesson 15 Natural vs Artificial: Rewilding and gardening | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 93-105 of the textbook. |
Class 6 | Lesson 15 Natural vs Artificial: Rewilding and gardening & Lesson 16 Archeology vs Treasure Hunting: Who owns wreckage? | Do vocabulary and writing exercises and translate the reading section into Japanese on pages 99-112 of the textbook. |
Class 7 | Review and term-end examination | Review the scope of the exam. |
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.
Shishido, Makoto, Kevin Murphy, and Mariko Takahashi, AFP World News Report 6, Seibido
ISBN: 978-4-7919-7250-0
Reference books will be introduced in class.
Grading will be based on the following: term-end examination and mini tests (60%), assigned papers (10%) and in-class contribution (30%).
None