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

TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 3 1

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 Wed (W5-104)
Class: 1
Course Code: LAE.E157
Number of credits: 010
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 3Q
Syllabus updated: Sep 17, 2026
Language: Japanese

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.

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

・Students will learn the reading and writing skills required in academic contexts and engage in practical exercises focusing primarily on TOEFL questions.
・Students will develop vocabulary that they can understand when reading and use appropriately in writing.
Please bring a laptop or tablet to class. If this is difficult, please consult the instructor in advance.
・If there are many students wishing to enroll, there may be a limit on the number of students. Students wishing to enroll must attend the first class. Additionally, do not purchase the textbook until enrollment in the class has been confirmed during the first class.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Course orientation Warm-up activities Vocabulary size assessment	Students understand how the course is conducted and identify their current vocabulary level through a diagnostic assessment.
Class 2	Vocabulary Quiz 1 Learning focus: Prefixes, suffixes, and roots (Test 1: Reading Section—Module 1 / Writing Section—Building a Sentence)	Students work on the questions in Test 1: Reading Section—Module 1 and Writing Section—Building a Sentence and understand their content and how to answer them. They also understand the meanings and functions of prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Class 3	Vocabulary Quiz 2 Learning focus: Organization in writing (Test 1: Reading Section—Module 2 / Writing Section—Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion)	Students work on the questions in Test 1: Reading Section—Module 2 and Writing Section—Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion and understand their content and how to answer them. They also understand how writing is organized.
Class 4	Vocabulary Quiz 3 Learning focus: Skimming and scanning (Test 2: Reading Section—Module 1 / Writing Section—Building a Sentence)	Students work on the questions in Test 2: Reading Section—Module 1 and Writing Section—Building a Sentence and understand their content and how to answer them. They also understand skimming and scanning techniques.
Class 5	Vocabulary Quiz 4 Learning focus: Academic phrases 1 (Test 2: Reading Section—Module 2 / Writing Section—Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion)	Students work on the questions in Test 2: Reading Section—Module 2 and Writing Section—Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion and understand their content and how to answer them. They also understand how to use academic phrases appropriately in their writing.
Class 6	Vocabulary Quiz 5 Learning focus: Academic phrases 2 (Test 3: Reading Section—Module 1 / Writing Section—Building a Sentence)	Students work on the questions in Test 3: Reading Section—Module 1 and Writing Section—Building a Sentence and understand their content and how to answer them. They also understand how to use academic phrases appropriately in their writing.
Class 7	Course review Examination	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)

TOEFL iBT® Test Complete Practice Tests (5 sets) [Includes 5 Web-based Practice Tests], J Research, 9784863926875

Reference books, course materials, etc.

In addition to the textbook, original materials will be distributed in class.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Class participation: 20%
Quizzes: 20%
Homework: 20%
Examination: 40%

Related courses

LAE.E158 ： TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 4

Prerequisites

none

Other

It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with TOEFL Seminar (Reading and Writing) 4.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.