2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
English 1 30
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kaoru Nagai
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Thu
- Class
- 30
- Course Code
- LAE.E111
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
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.
Course description and aims
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
Keywords
Four language skills, fostering international awareness, communication skills, studying abroad, TOEFL
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students are expected to study the textbook in advance, as we will go through the textbook one chapter each week. In addition to reviewing the lecture content and answering questions in English, students will be required to take quizzes to consolidate what they have learned. The goal is for students to acquire the vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension skills necessary in all fields. In addition, students will be trained to express their own opinions on each topic in English.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to the class | Understanding how the class will be conducted. |
| Class 2 | UNIT 1 PSYCHOLOGY Happiness | Understand the text in UNIT 1 and answer to the questions correctly. Practice listening writing skills, discuss related topics and give a presentation about them in English and acquire skills. |
| Class 3 | UNIT 2 LINGUISTICS A Time to Learn | Understand the text in UNIT 2 and answer to the questions correctly. Practice listening writing skills, discuss related topics and give a presentation about them in English and acquire skills. |
| Class 4 | UNIT 3 PUBLIC HEALTH Sleep | Understand the text in UNIT 3 and answer to the questions correctly. Practice listening writing skills, discuss related topics and give a presentation about them in English and acquire skills. |
| Class 5 | UNIT 4 BUSINESS Negotiating for Success | Understand the text in UNIT 4 and answer to the questions correctly. Practice listening writing skills, discuss related topics and give a presentation about them in English and acquire skills. |
| Class 6 | UNIT 5 ART HISTORY Modern Art | Understand the text in UNIT 5 and answer to the questions correctly. Practice listening writing skills, discuss related topics and give a presentation about them in English and acquire skills. |
| Class 7 | Review / Exam | Review the overall content of the course. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
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.
Textbook(s)
Contemporary Topics 1 (4th edition) Helen Solórzano, Laurie Frazier, Pearson, 2016. ISBN: 9780134400648
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Lecture videos and sound files will be shared on T2SCHOLA.
Evaluation methods and criteria
In-class performance (including mini tests): 50% Exam: 50%
Related courses
- LAE.E112 ： English 2
- LAE.E113 ： English 3
- LAE.E114 ： English 4
- LAE.E211 ： English 5
- LAE.E212 ： English 6
- LAE.E213 ： English 7
- LAE.E214 ： English 8
- LAE.E311 ： English 9
Prerequisites
None
Other
None