Based on English 7, English 8 is designed to improve students’ English language skills for academic purposes and provide them with more 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 English lectures, speaking before an audience, and developing skills to write paragraphs and short essays.
By the end of this course, students will:
・be able to express their ideas and opinions in classes confidently
・be able to write paragraphs or short essays
・be able to better understand academic lectures
・practice effective reading strategies
Four language skills, fostering international awareness, communication, studying abroad, TOEFL
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Reading:
1. Students are required to read the copy of an article or an essay given in advance before coming to class.
2. The instructor (1) clarifies the essential points of the text, and (2) teaches useful expressions.
Writing:
1. Students are required to do the specified exercises or tasks before coming to class.
2. The instructor (1) checks the answers, (2) clarifies the essential points, and (3) teaches useful expressions.
The instructor has the students do additional exercises or tasks when necessary.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Learning the structure of a good English paragraphs (1) Useful expressions: generic nouns | ・ To learn to write a paragraph based on the structure of a good English paragraph ・ To learn how to use generic nouns |
Class 2 | Learning the structure of a good English paragraphs (2) Learning to use an appropriate register in writing (1) | ・ To learn to write a paragraph based on the structure of a good English paragraph ・ To learn to use an appropriate register in writing ・ To learn how to write a letter or an e-mail message |
Class 3 | Learning to use an appropriate register in writing (2) Learning how to write an opinion paragraph (1) | ・ To learn to use an appropriate register in writing ・ To learn how to write a letter or an e-mail message ・ To learn how to write an opinion paragraph ・ To learn to tell facts from opinions |
Class 4 | Learning how to write an opinion paragraph (2) Learning how to write a problem-solution paragraph and how to write a cause-and-effect paragraph (1) | ・ To learn how to write an opinion paragraph ・ To learn the process of writing ・ To learn how to write a problem-solution paragraph ・ To learn how to write a cause-and-effect paragraph |
Class 5 | Learning how to write a problem-solution paragraph and how to write a cause-and-effect paragraph (2) Learning the basics of essay writing (1) | ・ To learn how to write a problem-solution paragraph ・ To learn how to write a cause-and-effect paragraph ・ To learn how to produce an effective essay |
Class 6 | Learning the basics of essay writing (2) | ・ To learn how to produce an effective essay |
Class 7 | Final exam Review | ・ To measure the students' achievement ・ To review the main points |
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.
Kate Elwood & Leonid Yoffe. Get Your Message Across Ⅱ: From Paragraph to Essay. Tokyo: Nan'un-Do, 2013.
Handouts are given in class when necessary.
Students are assessed on the degree to which they can put what they have learned in class to practical use.
Activities in class & Homework assignments: 50%
Final exam: 50%
None
The planned activities may be altered depending on the students' achievement, etc.