Course Overview

Students will listen to materials about familiar and slightly specialized topics, and be able to express what they have understood and think correctly through speech. They will also be able to express their opinions.

Learning Achievement

Students will be able to understand conversations in daily life and academic situations using vocabulary and grammar they learned at the elementary and intermediate levels. They will be able to understand news using intermediate vocabulary and grammar and talk about it. They will master expressions used often in daily life, and be able to talk about their country and familiar topics, as well as state their opinion along with evidence to back it up.

Competence

1. Communication ability, and 4. Broad perspective and international character

Course prerequisites

Students have to certify this subject fits their level by taking the placement test (http://ttbj-tsukuba.org/) or by passing a subject one level below this subject.

Grading Philosophy

Homework turned in on Manaba 20%, presentation on the original conversation 25%, Group presentation 25%, Mid-term exam and Final exam 30%
Note that grades from A+ to C are to be determined based on the total score.

Course schedule

Orientation/Explanation of how to use textbook and LMS: Manaba
Natural Conversation Features
Listen to easy news
News structure, news(1), discussion
Everyday conversation(1), discussion
News(2), discussion
Everyday conversation(2), discussion
News(3), discussion
Everyday conversation(3), discussion
Mid-term exam and feedback on listening comprehension
Everyday conversation(4), discussion
News(4), discussion
Everyday conversation(5), discussion
News(5), discussion
Pair presentation: everyday conversation and peer evaluation
Pair presentation: on the news we chose and peer evaluation
Final exam and feedback on listening comprehension
The schedule might be changed depending on the situation of the students.

Course type

Class Exercises

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Hori Keiko

Other information

Students should participate actively in pair work and group work during class. We will use the learning management system Manava for checking attendance, class communication, assignment submission, etc.

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university