2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 2 3
- 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) - 3-4 Wed
- Class
- 3
- Course Code
- LAE.E156
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is designed to develop English skills for the Reading and Writing sections of the TOEFL test through TOEFL-type exercises in reading and writing and reviewing of them.
This course aims to help students improve their TOEFL score and develop their English skills to study at universities in English speaking countries.
Course description and aims
In this course students will
・be able to find better ways to answer the questions in the TOEFL test (especially of reading and writing sections) through various exercises.
・develop academic skills in English and apply those skills to general situations.
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, reading and writing skills of English, Studying abroad
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
We will continue to explore various issues using readings, audio lectures, and discussion. Students are expected to study the vocabulary, complete all readings, and come to class prepared for discussion. In addition, there will be quizzes that are designed to help students expand their academic vocabulary.
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, Reading exercise TOEFL reading Type 6: Inference questions | Students will learn how to become a rapid reader. |
| Class 2 | TOEFL reading Type 7: Purpose questions Review: How to organize a short essay | Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 7). |
| Class 3 | TOEFL reading Type 8: Paraphrase questions Vocabulary Quiz 1 | Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 8). For the quiz, they are expected to review all the vocabulary covered. |
| Class 4 | TOEFL reading Type 9: Summary questions Introduction to the TOEFL integrated writing task | Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 9) as well as the integrated task. |
| Class 5 | TOEFL reading Type 10: Organization questions Reading and writing exercises | Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 10). |
| Class 6 | Writing Assignment (in-class) | Students will write a short essay on a given topic within a time limit. |
| Class 7 | Reading Test and Vocabulary Quiz 2 Review: How to become a better writer | Students are expected to review all the materials covered in this quarter. |
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
The grade for the quarter will be determined as follows:
Class participation: 10% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, progress, and a willingness to learn)
Vocabulary quizzes: 20%
Reading Test: 35%
Writing Assignment (in-class): 35%
Related courses
- LAE.E155 ： TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 1
Prerequisites
None
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 1.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.