2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
English 4 32-LS
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yuto Koizumi
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- 32-LS
- Course Code
- LAE.E114
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
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.
Course description and aims
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.
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
This course aims to develop advanced English proficiency through English-language films. Emphasis is placed on analyzing scripts, enhancing grammar and vocabulary skills while working toward the ability to watch films without subtitles. Additionally, students will strengthen their speaking and presentation skills through output-based activities such as presentations. The selected films feature a high volume of dialogue and are chosen for their accessibility to students. The course will focus on films with natural conversations, modern young protagonists, and relatable themes such as romance, self-discovery, and urban life.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Opening sequence & Gil’s admiration of Paris (00:03:00–00:06:30) | Descriptive language, Vocabulary for cityscapes and atmosphere |
| Class 2 | First time travel to the 1920s (Meeting Hemingway, Fitzgeralds) (00:15:00–00:18:30) | Introducing oneself and engaging in small talk in social settings |
| Class 3 | Dinner with Hemingway & request for Gertrude Stein’s critique (00:28:00–00:30:30) | Persuasive language (Gil trying to convince Hemingway) |
| Class 4 | Gertrude Stein critiques Gil’s novel (with Picasso & Adriana) (00:40:00–00:43:00) | Constructive criticism and feedback-related expressions |
| Class 5 | Gil & Adriana’s deep conversation about the past (00:52:00–00:54:30) | Conditional sentences (hypotheticals: “If I lived in the past…”) |
| Class 6 | Golden Age Syndrome discussion (Gil & Inez, modern-day realization) (01:17:00–01:19:00) | Argumentative conversation (contrasting perspectives) |
| Class 7 | Final realization & decision to stay in Paris (01:28:00–01:30:30). Exam | Expressing life-changing decisions and self-discovery |
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)
The course uses handouts.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Additional reading materials/movie clips may be introduced throughout the term.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Presentation: 50%, Comprehension quizzes: 50%
(The percentage of assessment may be adjusted depending on the level and mastery of students.)
Related courses
- LAE.E111 ： English 1
- LAE.E112 ： English 2
- LAE.E113 ： English 3
- LAE.E211 ： English 5
- LAE.E212 ： English 6
- LAE.E213 ： English 7
- LAE.E214 ： English 8
- LAE.E311 ： English 9
Prerequisites
None