2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses

English 5 5-LS

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 Mon (M-156(H1103))
Class: 5-LS
Course Code: LAE.E211
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 1Q
Syllabus updated: Mar 5, 2026
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

English 5 is designed to improve students’ English language skills for academic purposes and provide them with more 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 English lectures, speaking before an audience, and developing skills to write paragraphs and short essays.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will:
・be able to express their ideas and opinions in classes confidently
・be able to write paragraphs or short essays
・be able to better understand academic lectures
・practice effective reading strategies

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 communicating ideas effectively and clearly in English to people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

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 is designed to help students develop listening and speaking skills. Each week, we will explore a different issue using the textbook “Life Third Edition 4A.” Students are expected to study the unit assigned to each week and come to class fully prepared for class discussion and short speeches. 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.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Course overview Introduction to Spark, National Geographic Learning studens recources Listening and speaking exercise	During the speaking exercise, students will be asked to introduce themselves.
Class 2	Unit 1 Culture and Identity	Students are responsible for completing assigned exercises for Unit 1 on the textbook. Vocabulary in focus: ideas and feelings Students will be asked to talk about their personality and cultural background.
Class 3	Unit 2 Performing	Students are responsible for completing assigned exercises for Unit 2 on the textbook. Vocabulary in focus: describing emotions Students will be asked to talk about their favorite form of entertainment.
Class 4	Unit 3 Opportunities	Students are responsible for completing assigned exercises for Unit 3 on the textbook. Vocabulary in focus: job, work, and education Students will be asked to talk about their goals for the future.
Class 5	Vocabulary Review Quiz Lecture: How to communicate your ideas in English more effectively	Students are responsible for reviewing all the vocabulary covered (Unit 1, 2, and 3) for the quiz.
Class 6	Listening Test 1 Speech (Group 1)	Students assigned to Group 1 will deliver a speech on a given topic. As for the listening test, all students are responsible for reviewing Unit 1 and 2.
Class 7	Listening Test 2 Speech (Group 2)	Students assigned to Group 2 will deliver a speech on a given topic. As for the listening test, all students are responsible for reviewing Unit 3.

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)

Life Third Edition, Split 4A with Spark Access + e-Book (1 year access)
National Geographic Learning
ISBN 9798214179926

Reference books, course materials, etc.

National Geographic
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Evaluation methods and criteria

Class participation: 10% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, progress, and a willingness to learn)
Vocabulary review quiz: 20%
Listening tests: 35%
Speech: 35%

Related courses

LAE.E111 ： English 1
LAE.E112 ： English 2
LAE.E113 ： English 3
LAE.E114 ： English 4
LAE.E212 ： English 6
LAE.E213 ： English 7
LAE.E214 ： English 8
LAE.E311 ： English 9

Prerequisites

None