This course focuses on developing students’ academic communication skills, with particular emphasis on discussion and spoken interaction. Through reading and listening activities, students are introduced to weekly science-informed themes related to everyday life. These themes provide the foundation for structured academic discussions, critical thinking, and vocabulary development. Students will strengthen their ability to form clear, well-supported arguments, consider and respond thoughtfully to differing viewpoints, and express ideas with clarity and confidence. In addition, they will refine their listening, comprehension, and note-taking skills to support active participation in academic contexts.

The planned objectives of this course are to:

• Develop learners’ communicative competence in English, with a focus on academic interaction;

• Support learners in applying effective academic reading and listening strategies;

• Provide learners with structured opportunities to critically discuss topical themes of interest in English.

The desired outcomes of this course are to:

• Leave learners with developed confidence and agency in discussing topical themes critically and meaningfully;

• Equip learners with an expanded range of vocabulary, language functions, and grammatical structures to support academic communication in English;

• Strengthen learners’ academic listening and reading skills, enabling them to engage more effectively with complex texts and spoken input;

• Inspire learners with new knowledge, emerging areas of interest, and greater clarity about potential future fields of study.

This course will be delivered in English. Students are encouraged to communicate with each other and with the teacher in English as much as possible. Students are expected to purchase the textbook in order to take this course. Students are also advised to regularly check LETUS for class updates and to study outside of class time in a self-directed manner.

More information about course expectations, including attendance policies, will be shared in the first class of the semester.

Students should check LETUS after class to review lesson content and before class to download any required materials and resources. It is recommended that students spend at least one hour per week outside of class on self-directed learning activities.

Students are expected to plan and maintain their own self-directed learning activities in response to the teacher’s suggestions and in accordance with their individual learning preferences and interests.

• Class Participation = Up to 26 points (2 per class) 
• Assessment of Group Discussions = Up to 46 points (23 x 2) 
• Evaluation of Course Performance = Up to 4 points
• Self-directed English Learning Activities = Up to 24 points (8 x 3 points)