English 1 defines and solidifies the foundational skills for effective communication in English as well as fosters 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 confidence and 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 base on which students can build toward a higher level of communication competence specifically in an English language environment. The base is 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. English 1 covers these three elements, and the communication abilities acquired will help students in the future when they have to assume positions of responsibility in group activities.
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:
・Become aware of the degree to which practical English abilities are required for learning at university and for research activities both in Japan and abroad
・Be able to 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
・Have gained confidence in using English to state their opinions
・Be able to understand the structural characteristics of good paragraphs and write their own short paragraphs with unity and coherence
✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
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Experience since 1983 translating documents from Japanese into English, specializing in business, governmental, economic, scientific, historical, cultural and literary topics, among others. Experience since 1985 editing and fact-checking articles for a weekly newsmagazine published in Japanese. Experience since 1994 teaching English and related subjects at Japanese universities in the Tokyo-Yokohama area, with special concentrations on culture, history, media and translation. Travel experience to 155 countries and 74 dependent territories. |
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 |
Classes will be conducted revolving around the textbook, half a unit per class, with students urged to discuss topics and ask each other questions in pairs or groups of three. Units from the textbook will be chosen in consultation with the students during the first class. Test during the seventh week to assess listening ability, vocabulary and grammar knowledge, and understanding (essay).
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Class introduction, Unit 1, "Healthy Lives," Lesson A, A Talk about Preventing Heart Disease | Buy the textbook, peruse contents |
Class 2 | Unit 1, "Healthy Lives," Lesson B, Video: Bee Therapy, A Conversation about Allergies | Read textbook contents, listen to audio, access e-learning, memorize unfamiliar vocabulary. |
Class 3 | Unit 2, "Technology Today and Tomorrow," Lesson A, A Radio Show about AI | Read textbook contents, listen to audio, access e-learning, memorize unfamiliar vocabulary. |
Class 4 | Unit 2, "Technology Today and Tomorrow," Video: Can Robots Learn to Be More Human, Lesson B, A Conversation about Technology | Read textbook contents, listen to audio, access e-learning, memorize unfamiliar vocabulary. |
Class 5 | Unit 3, "Culture and Tradition," Lesson A, A Lecture about Cowboys | Read textbook contents, listen to audio, access e-learning, memorize unfamiliar vocabulary. |
Class 6 | Unit 3, "Culture and Tradition," Video: Faces of India, Lesson B, An Assignment about Music | Read textbook contents, listen to audio, access e-learning, memorize unfamiliar vocabulary. |
Class 7 | Course review, test covering Units 1-3 | Review the course so far and prepare for the test |
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.
Level 2, Pathways: Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking, 2nd edition, Paul Macintyre, Student Book with Online Workbook Access Code (National Geographic Learning) (ISBN-13: 978-1337562522)
Dictionary (preferably electronic)
Test during the 7th week (1/3rd listening, 1/3rd vocab and grammar, 1/3rd essay)
Deductions made for poor class participation, sleeping, distraction, private conversation, cell phone usage not related to class contents, etc.
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