2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses

TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 7 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): unknown
Class: 2
Course Code: LAE.E257
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2025
Offered quarter: 3Q
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
・understand what TOEFL tests are like, especially in reading and writing sections, and how to answer the questions in each section of the test.
・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

This course is designed to help students develop reading and writing skills that are applicable to the TOEFL iBT test. Each week, we will explore a different issue using readings, audio lectures, and discussion. In addition, there will be quizzes that are designed to help students expand their academic vocabulary. 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, Class activity, Reading exercise: Timed reading TOEFL reading Type 1: Vocabulary questions	Students will learn how to read faster and better.
Class 2	TOEFL reading Type 2: Referent questions Lecture: How to become a good writer Part 1	Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 2).
Class 3	TOEFL reading Type 3: Fact and detail questions Lecture: How to become a good writer Part 2	Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 3).
Class 4	Developing essay writing skills Vocabulary quiz 1	Students will learn how to organize a short essay (TOEFL writing). They are also expected to review the vocabulary for the quiz.
Class 5	TOEFL reading Type 4: Negative fact questions	Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 4).
Class 6	TOEFL reading Type 5: Coherence questions Writing assignment (in-class)	Students will familiarize themselves with the TOEFL reading question pattern (Type 5). In the writing assignment, students will be expected to demonstrate the writing skills that they will have acquired during this course.
Class 7	Reading Test and Vocabulary Quiz 2 Instructor feedback on the Writing Assignment	Students are expected to review all material covered in 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/
Scientific American 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.
Vocabulary quizzes: 20%
Writing Assignment: 35%
Reading Test: 35%

Related courses

TOEFL Seminar (Listening and Speaking) 5-8

Prerequisites

None

Other

It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 8.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.