Course title
English Discussion   [English Discussion]
Course category Liberal Arts and Fundamental Studies  Requirement   Credit 1 
Department   Year 14  Semester 3rd 
Course type 3rd  Course code 020064
Instructor(s)
SLAYBAUGH BROOKS, 畠山 雄二   [Slaybaugh Brooks, HATAKEYAMA Yuji]
Facility affiliation Graduate School of Engineering Office afjgxte/L1151  Email address

Course description
Outline (English Discussion): This course aims to improve each student’s basic speaking fluency and ability to effectively communicate in English through the discussion of a variety of general and academic topics. This course is mandatory for first-year students as an introduction to the English curriculum of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
Expected Learning
By the end of the course students should be able:

1) To use the discussion skills and vocabulary learned in this course to participate in discussions on both general and academic topics in multicultural settings.

2) To develop the ability to listen actively, such as using English backchannels in conversation, asking relevant follow-up questions, as well as clarifying for meaning when something is not understood.

3) To develop discussion skills like asking on-topic questions, giving extended answers, and paraphrasing group members’ utterances.

4) To use basic common vocabulary and expressions in discussions as well as learn and use new academic words and phrases.

5) To increase their fluency by practicing speaking in groups in English only for a limited time on a variety of easy topics.
Course schedule
Course Schedule:

Class 1: Course introduction and short individual student and teacher introductions. Writing sample
Class 2: Students will write and talk about the Globalization of Japanese Culture and will learn about connecting ideas
Class 3: Review/Students will read and talk about Japanese and Foreign Customs and will learn about closing topics
Class 4: Review/Students will read and talk about English in the World, and will learn about reacting, checking for comprehension
Class 5: Review/Students will read and talk about Studying Abroad,
Class 6: Students will review and practice the previous topics
Class 7: First Discussion Test/Students
Class 8: Review/Students will read and talk about social media, and will practice different viewpoints
Class 9: Review/Students will read and talk about Gender in Japan and will learn about paraphrasing
Class 10: Review/Students will read and talk about personal identity and self-improvement
Class 11: Review/Students will read and talk about Aging in Japan, and will learn about balancing opinions
Class 12: Students will review and practice the previous topics for the second test
Class 13: Second Discussion Test/Students will write extensively
Class 14: Review/Students will read and talk about money, and will learn about comparisons
Class 15: Review/Students will read and talk about crime and punishment, and will learn about clarification

*This is a typical schedule for the English Discussion course.
A specific schedule for each class will be announced in each class.
Prerequisites
This course carries 1 credit. In addition to 30 hours that students spend in the class, they are recommended to prepare for, and review, the classes using the textbook and the reference books, spending the standard amount of time as specified by the University for each class. Students must attend at least 2/3 of a course in order to receive credit for that course. If students do not fully attend the class for two times, it should be counted as one time of absence.
Required Text(s) and Materials
What do you Think? Book II, Rikkyo University, Center for English Discussion Class, 2019. Written by Fearn-Wannen, Kita, Sturgess, and Young.
ISBN 978-4-86211-713-7
References
Assessment/Grading
Class Participation (20%) - To assess the ability of students to bring the required materials, show up on time, and assess how well students work actively both individually and with their group members in class.

Assignments and Exams (80%) - To assess students' performances on their English speaking and discussion skills and assess how thoroughly and timely students complete their class and homework assignments.
Message from instructor(s)
Course keywords
Office hours
Office hours are to be announced in class.
Remarks 1
This course is taught by a part-time lecturer. Once the employment of the part part-time lecturer is confirmed, this syllabus may be modified. In this case, the official version is the modified syllabus.
Remarks 2
For Google Classroom the code is akabsb7.
Related URL
Lecture Language
English
Language Subject
English
Last update
9/14/2021 3:53:35 PM