2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
English 4 8-LS
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Sachiko Nakamura
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon (W3-301)
- Class
- 8-LS
- Course Code
- LAE.E114
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Sep 17, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
English 4 is designed to improve students’ English language skills for academic purposes and provide them with knowledge in relevant areas. The materials include topics such as international and intercultural issues as well as current topics of science and technology. Expectations require students to practice: reading academic articles, listening to lectures in English, speaking in front of an audience, and writing paragraphs and short essays.
There are two types of classes in English 4. RW classes focus on reading comprehension and skill in written composition, and LS classes focus on listening and oral expression.
Each student is assigned to a class and instructors for each class conduct the course using “Course description and aims”, “Student learning outcomes”, and “Keywords” as the basic framework.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will:
・ Have improved their English skills required for learning at university and for research activities
・ Be able to understand written and spoken materials correctly in diverse areas including international and intercultural issues, science, and technology
・ Be able to write paragraphs and short essays with unity and coherence
・ Have gained confidence in using English to state their opinions and improved their oral expression skills.
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
・Students will watch video materials covering a wide range of academic fields, develop an appropriate understanding of the content, and learn to express their own ideas orally.
・Students will learn and practice the listening and speaking skills required in academic settings.
・Students will develop vocabulary that they can understand when heard and use appropriately in speech.
・Please bring a laptop or tablet to class. If this is difficult, please consult the instructor in advance.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | What does it mean to be able to listen and speak in English? |
Students learn what is involved in listening and speaking in English and understand effective training methods. |
| Class 2 | Vocabulary Quiz 1 |
Students watch videos on topics in biology and life sciences, orally summarize the content, and express their opinions, using academic phrases appropriately. |
| Class 3 | Vocabulary Quiz 2 |
Students watch videos on topics in anthropology and sociology, orally summarize the content, and express their opinions, using academic phrases appropriately. |
| Class 4 | Vocabulary Quiz 3 |
Students watch videos on topics in astronomy and space science, orally summarize the content, and express their opinions, using academic phrases appropriately. |
| Class 5 | Vocabulary Quiz 4 |
Students watch videos on topics in economics and business, orally summarize the content, and express their opinions, using academic phrases appropriately. |
| Class 6 | Vocabulary Quiz 5 |
Students watch videos on topics in chemistry and physics, orally summarize the content, and express their opinions, using academic phrases appropriately. |
| Class 7 | Course review |
Students confirm their understanding of the material covered in Classes 1–6 and their mastery of the skills practiced during this period. |
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)
There is no required textbook for this course.
The original materials and the following online resource will be used primarily:
TED-Ed: https://ed.ted.com/
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class participation: 20%
Quizzes: 30%
Homework: 20%
Examination: 30%
Related courses
- LAE.E111 ： English 1
- LAE.E112 ： English 2
- LAE.E113 ： English 3
- LAE.E211 ： English 5
- LAE.E212 ： English 6
- LAE.E213 ： English 7
- LAE.E214 ： English 8
- LAE.E311 ： English 9
Prerequisites
None
Other
None