2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 8
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Makiko Haraga
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAE.E254
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is for students who have already studied for or taken the TOEFL test but hope to raise their score. It trains students' English skills in English with special focus on listening and speaking. It also introduces them to basic academic vocabulary and expressions useful for studying abroad for a short period of time.
Course description and aims
By the end of the course students will be able to understand a few-minute speech or conversation discussing academic topics and to explain its main points and some details in short simple sentences.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
This course will be taught by a bilingual journalist who has been reporting and writing in both English and Japanese on a wide range of issues for a variety of publications. Throughout the course, the instructor will use her knowledge and expertise in the art of story-telling, to help students acquire communication skills that are necessary for presenting ideas effectively and clearly in English to people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Keywords
TOEFL, Study abroad, Communication, Speaking and listening skills in English
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
We continue to explore various issues using audio lectures (TOEFL), news clips, and discussions. Students are expected to study the vocabulary and come to class prepared for a discussion. In addition to improving their listening and speaking skills, students will acquire basic skills that are essential for creating and delivering effective presentations. The class is highly interactive. Therefore, students’ strong commitment and active participation are the keys to success, not only for themselves, but also for the entire class.
If there are many applicants for the course, a limit on the number of students may be imposed. All prospective students must attend the first class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction Speaking exercises | Students are expected to actively participate in group discussions. |
| Class 2 | TOEFL listening and speaking exercises Listening to a news story | Students are responsible for reading handouts. Listening exercise: transcribing |
| Class 3 | TOEFL listening and speaking exercises Focus on pronunciation: Linking words Vocabulary Quiz 1 | Students will learn how to pronounce linking words. They are expected to review the vocabulary assigned for the quiz. |
| Class 4 | TOEFL listening: Conversation TOEFL speaking: Understanding integrated tasks | Students will practice TOEFL integrated speaking. |
| Class 5 | TOEFL listening and speaking exercises Developing presentation skills Vocabulary Quiz 2 | Students will be asked to deliver a short speech on a given topic. They are expected to review the vocabulary assigned for the quiz. |
| Class 6 | Speech (Group A) Listening test 1 | Students assigned to Group A will deliver a presentation on a given topic. All students are expected to review the TOEFL listening strategies for a listening test. |
| Class 7 | Speech (Group B) Listening test 2 | Students assigned to Group B will deliver a presentation on a given topic. All students are expected to review the TOEFL listening strategies for a listening test. |
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)
Handouts
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handouts
Suggested Websites and smartphone apps:
VOA Learning English https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
NPR http://www.npr.org/
VOA and NPR provide video transcripts.
Scientific American (video and podcasts “60-second science”) http://www.scientificamerican.com/
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Evaluation methods and criteria
The grade for the quarter will be determined as follows.
Class participation: 10% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, improvement, and a willingness to learn.)
Listening tests: 35%
Speech: 35%
Vocabulary Quizzez: 20%
Related courses
- LAE.E253 ： TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 7
Prerequisites
NA
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 7.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.