Course Overview

The goal of this course is to build the independence, study skills, and academic English ability necessary to succeed in LA400 and higher-level courses at J PREP and beyond. Each part of the course is designed with the aim of improving the students’ four key English skills.
Students will learn how to do independent research and give effective presentations on academic topics. Every 2-3 weeks, students are expected to complete an independent research project. Students present this research to their class and are graded on the richness of the content they create, and the presentation skills that they display. The course also includes graded writing assignments, where students are taught how to write effective academic paragraphs.
Throughout the year, students review key intermediate and advanced grammar techniques with a particular focus on speaking output. Each week, there are discussion-based activities where students need to think critically and share ideas on key themes and topics covered in the class.

英語4技能の底上げを行い、興味や関心のある分野を自律的に探究する力を養う教養発展コース。初歩レベルの社会的かつ学問的な内容の学習を通じて、アカデミックな内容を英語で理解し、英語で表現するための導入を行う。サイエンスや人権問題、アメリカの歴史など多分野のテーマに関して、リサーチやディスカッション、プレゼンテーションを高頻度で実施する。

From Instructor

Moeka Watanabe

BA in Education, Keio University CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Cambridge

This course is designed to give students an introduction to the study of liberal arts. Through a variety of activities such as research projects, writing assignments, book discussion, and grammar exercises, students will improve their English skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), build critical thinking skills, and learn how to become effective independent learners. This is not a test-preparation course, but it will provide an introduction for long-term study overseas.