2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 1 2
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Makiko Haraga
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Wed
- Class
- 2
- Course Code
- LAE.E151
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is for students who do not know much about or have never taken the TOEFL test. The course introduces students to its content and format as well basic vocabulary necessary so that they will be able not only to familiarize themselves with the test format but also study in academic institutions with English-speaking environment for a short period of time.
Course description and aims
・ Students will understand the content and format of the TOEFL test.
・ Students will improve their listening and speaking skills through interactive pair and group activities in class.
・ Students will be able to understand a short speech or conversations and to summarize and explain orally its main content in simple sentences in English.
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 storytelling, 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 Skills, Listening Skills
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course is designed to help students develop communication skills that are applicable to the TOEFL iBT test. Each week, we will explore a different issue using audio lectures, news clips, readings, and discussion. In addition, there will be a vocabulary review quiz which is designed to help students expand their academic vocabulary. Throughout the course, students will also learn to develop intercultural competence, one of the skills that are essential for collaborating with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
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 | Students will be asked to talk about themselves. |
| Class 2 | TOEFL listening strategy: Understanding the main points Speaking exercises | Students are responsible for reading the handouts. As for the speaking exercise, they will speak on a given topic during the class. |
| Class 3 | TOEFL listening strategy: Developing note-taking skills Pronunciation exercises | Students will learn how to pronounce some of the most challenging English sounds. |
| Class 4 | TOEFL speaking strategy: Identifying the topic and the task Listening exercises | Students are responsible for reading the handouts. |
| Class 5 | TOEFL speaking strategy: Making an outline Vocabulary review quiz | Students are responsible for reviewing all the vocabulary covered. |
| Class 6 | Listening Test 1 Speech (Group 1) | Students assigned to Group1 will deliver a speech on a given topic. In the listening test, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate the skills that they will have acquired during this course. |
| Class 7 | Listening Test 2 Speech (Group 2) | Students assigned to Group2 will deliver a speech on a given topic. In the listening test, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate the skills that they will have acquired during this 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)
Handouts
Reference books, course materials, etc.
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
Class participation: 15% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, progress, and a willingness to learn)
Vocabulary review quiz: 15%
Listening tests: 35%
Speech: 35%
Related courses
- LAE.E152 ： TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 2
Prerequisites
None
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 2.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.