2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
English 1 34
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yoshihiro Esashi
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Thu (W3-207(W323))
- Class
- 34
- Course Code
- LAE.E111
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 13, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
English 1 defines and solidifies the foundational skills for effective communication in English as well as fosters international awareness, as both are typically required in the globally expanding domain of scientific and technological research activities. It also prepares students to study or do research abroad in the future. Students are assigned training exercises that cover the four language skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The reading and listening materials include topics such as international and intercultural issues as well as the fundamentals of science and technology. Practice exercises in writing and speaking are provided so that students can develop confidence and competence to participate in discussions and conferences where opinions are exchanged through both text and speech. TOEFL-type exercise problems are also used in the course.
This course aims to establish a base on which students can build toward a higher level of communication competence specifically in an English language environment. The base is composed of three elements: (1) identifying relevant information accurately, (2) exercising fair judgement to form a valid opinion, and (3) stating opinions clearly and persuasively. English 1 covers these three elements, and the communication abilities acquired will help students in the future when they have to assume positions of responsibility in group activities.
Each student is assigned to a group led by an instructor. Instructors for each group conduct the course using the "Course description and aims" and "Student learning outcomes" as the basic framework. "Class direction," "Course schedule," and other information below explain the features of each class.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will:
・Become aware of the degree to which practical English abilities are required for learning at university and for research activities both in Japan and abroad
・Be able to grasp the main ideas and arguments of written and spoken materials in diverse areas including international and intercultural issues, science, and technology
・Have increased their knowledge of effective vocabulary and expressions to actively communicate their ideas and opinions in English
・Have gained confidence in using English to state their opinions
・Be able to understand the structural characteristics of good paragraphs and write their own short paragraphs with unity and coherence
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 improve basic English skills through watching videos on various topics and participating in group role-plays. Students will practice writing the English expressions and phrases used in the role-plays. The course requires students to complete preparatory assignments. Mini-tests will begin in Class 3.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction |
"Understand course objectives. |
| Class 2 | Unit 1 Hyperrealistic Woolen Dogs |
Understand the content of video and answer the questions (pp. 8-12). Role play the video in groups. |
| Class 3 | Unit 2 Joy Hakim & US History |
Understand the content of video and answer the questions in Unit 2(pp. 15-20). Role play the video in groups. |
| Class 4 | Unit 3 Favorite Movie Snack |
Understand the content of video and answer the questions in Unit 3(pp. 22-26). Role play the video in groups. |
| Class 5 | Unit 4 Robot Café in Nairobi |
Understand the content of video and answer the questions in Unit 4(pp. 29-34). Role play the video in groups. |
| Class 6 | Unit 5 Korean Moon Jars |
Understand the content of video and answer the questions in Unit 5(pp. 36-40). Role play the video in groups. |
| Class 7 | Review and Final Exam |
The final exam will cover Units 1-5. Review these Units. |
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)
Vital Voices (1) People & Cultures on Video Elementary
by James C. House & Michico Miyoshi, Shohakusha, ISBN: 9784775450116
Reference books, course materials, etc.
JapanKnowledgeLib（https://www.libra.titech.ac.jp/databases/japanknowledge）
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class participation: 20%
Mini-tests: 40 %
Final exam: 40%
Related courses
- LAE.E112 ： English 2
- LAE.E113 ： English 3
- LAE.E114 ： English 4
- LAE.E211 ： English 5
- LAE.E212 ： English 6
- LAE.E213 ： English 7
- LAE.E214 ： English 8
- LAE.E311 ： English 9
Prerequisites
None
Other
None