GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

Freshman English I aims to enhance students' academic prospects and cultivate language proficiency. In particular, the students are provided solid understanding of common academic practices at the international standard, which they can apply to university-level debates and discussions; including micro-/macro-level reading, critical thinking and spontaneous discussion activities. The module also offers various tips for independent study, suggesting how to make a good transfer from the module to their own learning (and vice versa).

Through a series of interactive and voluntary engagements in and out of the class, the students are expected to acquire three dominant academic skills, as follows.
a) Basic language (English) abilities for good academic engagement
b) Communicative competence in normative interaction
c) Critical thinking skills in coherent and logical argumentation

Will be able to gain “DP 1” and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The module will be conducted via informal and interactive lectures utilising PowerPoint slides, with a combination of in-class exercises and take-home assignments. The students will be engaged in a wide variety of interactive practices, such as: in-class activities on the materials; small-group and roundtable discussions; and reflective writing tasks. All attendees are expected to actively participate, in which they mediate their understanding by producing language, and make every effort to contribute meaningfully to both planned and spontaneous activities.

Feedback will be offered to students in due course, or as soon as possible after each assessment via an online learning management system.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Induction

Module description with general instructions for academic English

2[対面/face to face]：Preparation for Critical Reading (1)

Thinking about reading ‘critically';
Skimming for the main idea;
Note-taking for organising information;
Reading to understand the main idea

3[対面/face to face]：Preparation for Critical Reading (2)

Basics for critical reading strategies;
Predicting the content;
Scanning for specific information;
Evaluating (and generating) definitions

4[対面/face to face]：Supporting Ideas and Author’s Stance

Inferring the meaning of an ‘unknown’ word;
Reading for evidence;
From the main idea to supporting evidence;
Identifying the author’s stance

5[対面/face to face]：Classification for Organisation

Analysing organised information within a text;
Evaluating the content of a text

6[対面/face to face]：Connecting Ideas

Understanding a logical order for information;
Identifying the arguments and structure of a text;
Understanding cohesive language in a text;
Identifying hedging language

7[対面/face to face]：Describing Processes

Understanding the stages of a process in a text;
Identifying signposts for sequencing

8[対面/face to face]：Comparison and Contrast

Recognising similarities and differences;
Categorising (and note-taking) similarities and differences;
Linking references (supports) with main ideas

9[対面/face to face]：Fact and Opinion

Differentiating facts from opinions;
Identifying the purpose, stance, and perspective of a text;
Basics of in-text references (citation)

10[対面/face to face]：Developing an Argument

Recognising the main argument;
Identifying evidence in supportive arguments;
Recognising persuasive language

11[対面/face to face]：Cause and Effect

Understanding the cause-and-effect language;
Identifying reasons in a text;
Expressing cause-and-effect relationships from reading a text

12[対面/face to face]：Evaluation

Identifying positive, negative, and natural material;
Interpreting the author’s stance

13[対面/face to face]：Independent Learning

Analysing organised information within a text;
Evaluating the content of a text

14[対面/face to face]：Final Exam & Wrap-up

Exam with a following review of the module (academic English)

In order to participate well, students must complete weekly assignments before the class. Preparatory study and review time for each week are at least 1 hour.

Chazal, E., & McCarter, S. (2016). Oxford EAP: A course in English for academic purposes (upper-intermediate/B2). Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Primary resource; thus, must be purchased)

Other resources (e.g. academic papers and newspaper articles) will also be distributed or made available in our online system.

The final grade for this module will take into account grades awarded on all assignments in the following proportions:

a) Module-final exam: 40%
b) Weekly assignments: 50%
c) Active participation: 10%

No feedback or request for change has been given in the last year.

None.

Analogous to other modules in GIS, your attendance is strictly monitored. Those who have three or more unauthorised absences will automatically receive a failing grade; it should also be noted that late attendance with no prior notice will also end up downgrading your final mark.

None.