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 required to read a passage in the textbook, solve exercise problems and submit the answers to the instructor before each class. The instructor will explain the key points of each unit, useful expressions, grammar and answers to the exercise problems in class. The class activity will also include discussion, writing and viewing news videos in English.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Course introduction /paragraph writing | to understand the organization of paragraphs |
Class 2 | Unit 7: Kamala Harris will make history | to read the passage in Unit 7 and solve the exercise problems |
Class 3 | Unit 8: Naomi Osaka rises from shy youngster to four-time Grand Slam champion | to read the passage in Unit 8 and solve the exercise problems |
Class 4 | Unit 10: Paint, poems and protest anthems | to read the passage in Unit 10 and solve the exercise problems |
Class 5 | Unit 13: Mining magnets: Arctic island finds green power can be a curse | to read the passage in Unit 13 and solve the exercise problems |
Class 6 | Unit 15: Without backpackers to pick them, crops rot by the ton in Australia | to read the passage in Unit 15 and solve the exercise problems |
Class 7 | review /exam | to review the overall content of the course |
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.
15 Selected Units of English through the News Media, 2022 edition, Asahi Press.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary etc.
Activities in class: 50% Assignments: 20% Final exam: 30%
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