This is a first-year listening & speaking course designed around discussion, short presentations, and a final presentation on topics related to the textbook themes.

The main objectives of this class are to improve listening and communication skills. You should be able to:
- learn to listen and comprehend naturally spoken English
- practice discussing easy academic topics focused on the social and hard sciences
- practice giving simple presentations based on our discussions from the textbook themes
Vocabulary is also important. We must take careful notes of all vocabulary items and be able to explain the meaning of simple words in English.

Over the semester, we will aim to:

-discuss textbook topics that we can and build our knowledge through such discussions

-prepare and deliver short presentations on topics related to the textbook themes

No special prerequisites. But we will need to bring pencils, paper and/or notebooks to class. A dictionary would also be useful. We will need to sometimes take notes during the class.

Instructions for preparation and review will be given in each class. While I will keep homework to a minimum, you should be ready to try out your discussion in English in classes. 1-2 hours for review of theme and topic content will help you to prepare for the classes. 

Active class participation: 20%
Mini-presentations 1-4: 20% average
Mid-term presentation: 30%
Final presentation: 30% 

About feedback for presentations

 We will continue to use LETUS, the TUS learning management system (LMS). Some extra material, such as video links, connected to the topics will be posted on LETUS.

SPECIAL NOTE: While we may not be able to do everything in the textbook units, we will try to do as much as we can with the units. We will, however, do all mini-presentations and the mid-term and final presentation assignments.

Class 1:  Class Introduction - course syllabus, guidelines, grading policies, student performance requirements 

Class 2:  International Relations: The Role of the U.N. - students should be able to listen and talk about origins, key functions & agencies of the United Nations 

Class 4:  Environmental Studies: National Parks - students should be able to listen and talk about beginnings and development of national parks in various countries 

Class 5:  Environmental Studies: National Parks - students should be able to listen and talk about different views of greenbelts and the environment of urban areas

               - Mini-presentation 2 on theme topics

               - Introduction to to first semester mid-term presentation assignment 

Class 6:  Space: Our Solar System - students should be able to listen and talk about the planets and major objects of the Solar System 

               - Mid-term presentation preparation, guidance & scheduling

Classes 7 & 8: First semester mid-term presentations - students present their presentation topic themes based on the textbook units of their choice in different groups

Class 9:  Anthropology: Totem Poles - students should be able to listen and talk about the totem poles and their importance in North American Pacific Coast Native 

                American/Canadian First Nations cultures and societies 

Class 10: Anthropology: Totem Poles - students should be able to listen and talk about European discovery of totem poles & indigenous cultural exchange
                - Mini-presentation 3 on theme topics

Class 11: History: Industrial Revolution - students should be able to listen and talk about the beginnings and impact of the Industrial Revolution in 18th-century Europe 
                - Introduction to first semester final presentation assignment
Class 12: Option on History: Industrial Revolution - students should be able to listen and talk about different ideas of the development of the Industrial Revolution - or -
                Fine Arts: Ukiyoe - students should be able to listen and talk about the cultural importance of ukiyoe in Edo-period Japan 
                - Mini-presentation 4 as practice presentation of final presentation topic
                - Final presentation preparation & scheduling
Classes 13 & 14: First semester final presentations - students present their presentation topic themes based on the textbook units of their choice in different groups
Class 15: Extra day for first-semester final presentations (if needed)/Course review

I am an instructor who has taught English language and communication courses in Japan at both private and public universities for the past 16 years and has given academic presentations and workshops at international conferences, with experience in teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students and an interest in specific STEM content for English courses.

Fluency in a language requires practice. Practice is important, and in this class, you need to speak English.