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English Diploma Course 1 (Scientific Writing Strategies)

Learning Goals

(Science as an Academic field) To familiarize students with the techniques involved in writing research reports and abstracts.

Skills

Research, Reading, Writing, Presentation, Discussion, Logical Thinking

Classroom Flow

Students will learn the basics of writing English reports in scientific fields, including the title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and references. These basics will be introduced by looking at good examples.

Class Projects

  • Once familiar with the basics of English reports, students will practice the techniques in small groups.
  • In research teams, students will conduct elementary research and report their findings in the form of a Research Paper and a Research Presentation

Grading Criteria

Grades will be based on the following:

13 In-class Tasks In-class tasks are graded on a 3-2-1-0 scale. If all requirements of the task are fully met, you will receive 3 points; if they are adequately met, 2 points; if they are only partially met, 1 point; if you do not participate in the task or are absent, 0 points.
1 Research Paper
(Research Team)
6 points
1 Original Research Presentation
(Research Team)
10 points
5 Writing Assignment Modules
(Individual & Research Team)
5 points each
1 Quiz 10 points
Online Exercise Library 10 points
Late to class, using your cell phone, chattering in Japanese, sleeping in class, no text, no dictionary minus 1 point

Text

No text is required for this course. All materials will be provided by your instructor.

Course Schedule

Class In-class Tasks Online Tasks Papers Presentations Quizzes Slides Links
1 Task 1: Collaboration Tools Orientation    
2 Task 2: Research/Abstract            
3 Task 3: Workshop            
4 Task 4: Introduction            
5 Task 5: Library Field Trip Writing Assignment Module 1
(Individual: Abstract)
         
6 Task 6: References            
7 Task 7: Workshop            
8 Task 8: Workshop Writing Assignment Module 2
(Individual: References)
         
9 Task 9: Methods Writing Assignment Module 3
(Research Team: Introduction)
         
10 Task 10: Workshop            
11 Task 11: Results/Conclusion Writing Assignment Module 4
(Research Team: Methods)
         
12 Task 12: Workshop            
13 Task 13: Presentation Workshop Writing Assignment Module 5
(Research Team: Results/Conclusion)
-----------
Online Exercise
Library Deadline
         
14     Original Research Paper
(Research Team)
Original Research Presentations
(Block A)
     
15       Original Research Presentations
(Block B)
Quiz    

Course Can-do Goals

Language Skills

Writing

  1. [  ] I know and understand the differences of the main elements of a research report (abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references).
  2. [  ] I can identify the 5 elements of an abstract (background, purpose, methodology, results, and conclusion/recommendation).
  3. [  ] I know what a Literature Review is.
  4. [  ] I know how to quote short sections of text for academic use.
  5. [  ] I know how to quote longer sections of text for academic use.
  6. [  ] I can summarize texts without losing essential information.
  7. [  ] I have fairly good control over complex structures, spelling and sentence mechanics although my sentences may sound ‘foreign’ to English readers.
  8. [  ] I can properly format references for a research report.

Specific Skills

IT Skills

Google Mail & Docs

  1. [  ] I can create a Google account and use that account in English.
  2. [  ] I can send and receive email using Gmail.
  3. [  ] I can contribute to a shared document.
  4. [  ] I can create a document and share it with others.
  5. [  ] I can make a presentation using GoogleDocs.

Academic Skills

  1. [  ] I know the difference between academic and nonacademic source materials.
  2. [  ] I can find academic source materials at the BKC library.
  3. [  ] I can identify and utilize academic source materials for a research report.
  4. [  ] I can identify the important parts of a lecture and take notes in English.
  5. [  ] I can follow written instructions in class.
  6. [  ] I can follow verbal instructions in class.
  7. [  ] I can paraphrase or reword short sections of a lecture or instructions.
  8. [  ] I know what a thesaurus is and how to use it.

General Skills

Speaking

  1. [  ] I can participate in a small group discussion and express my opinions, feelings and reservations about a topic.
  2. [  ] I can give clear instructions and directions related to moderately complex, familiar, technical and non-technical tasks.
  3. [  ] I am comfortable speaking formally or informally, on topics involving problem-solving or decision-making. I can make a detailed comparison.
  4. [  ] I can research, develop and deliver a 10-minute presentation.
  5. [  ] I can use a variety of sentence structures and idioms.
  6. [  ] I sound fairly fluent when I speak. When I know that people do not understand me, I can correct myself or rephrase what I said.
  7. [  ] I use a number of strategies to keep the conversation going. I can change the topic.

Listening

  1. [  ] I can understand the main points and important details of a discussion, presentation, or news clip.
  2. [  ] I can identify the situation, relationship, mood and attitude of the people I listen to.
  3. [  ] I can understand a formal or informal discussions or presentations on familiar topics, especially if I am involved in the discussion.
  4. [  ] My vocabulary is expanding, and I know more idioms.
  5. [  ] I can predict consequences and outcomes.
  6. [  ] I can understand routine, classroom-related conversation.
  7. [  ] I can understand native speakers when they speak quickly to one another, although I might still have trouble.

Reading

  1. [  ] I can read authentic text that is 1 – 2 pages long and moderately complex. I can locate and integrate, or compare and contrast information from a variety of visually complex sources.
  2. [  ] I can follow everyday instructional texts containing 10 – 15 steps.
  3. [  ] I use an English dictionary for ESL learners. Mostly, I use it for confirmation and to be precise.
  4. [  ] The language I read is both concrete and abstract, dealing with facts, opinions and feelings.
  5. [  ] When I see a new word, I can sometimes infer its meaning by the context or by the use of prefixes and suffixes in the word.
  6. [  ] I can paraphrase and summarize the main points of a story.


Program-wide Standards

Grading Scale

90% or more, A+; 80-89%, A; 70-79%, B; 60-69%, C; below 60%, F

NOTE: At the end of the third year, you will be taking a TOEIC-IP exam. You will then be re-streamed for your fourth-year courses based on the results of this TOEIC-IP and the numerical average of your third-year English courses. Therefore, it is important to strive for not only a high letter grade, but also for the highest numerical grade that you are capable of.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend class regularly. Failure to attend class regularly may result in a reduction of the student's overall grade. Students will be penalized 3 'demerits' for each absence and 1 'demerit' for each 30-minute period they're late. Students who accumulate more than 15 'demerits' (the equivalent of 5 absences) will receive an unsatisfactory grade ('F') for the course. As a rule, no make-up work will be given for unexcused absences.

NOTE: Students who fail to take the TOEIC-IP exam will have 5 points subtracted from the total score of EACH English class they are enrolled in.

English-English Dictionaries

You are required to bring an English-English dictionary to class every day. The following is a list of quality paper dictionaries for English language learners. You may use any other dictionary or you may elect to use an electronic dictionary.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Oxford University Press.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman Press.
Collins Cobuild English Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are designed to make your English classes run a bit more smoothly. Please take the time to read each of them carefully and ask questions if any of the points are unclear.

Classroom

  • No chattering when someone else (especially the teacher!!) has the floor.
  • In-class tasks must be completed in English. English classes meet only once a week for 90 minutes. If you speak Japanese while you're in English class, you're wasting possibly your only chance to practice English every week.
  • Use only a ballpoint pen for text-based exercises. It is important to learn from your mistakes and if you use a pencil, you'll probably end up erasing your mistakes. If you find that you've made a mistake, cross it out with a single line (so that you can still read it and learn from it!).
  • Students are allowed to use a dictionary for most in-class exercises. However, you must use an English-English dictionary only.
  • Attendance is taken only once per class. If you come late, be sure to write your name on the blackboard so that the teacher can mark you present after class.
  • Turn off all portable telephones during class and remove them from your desk during class.
  • Do not do homework from other classes during your English class.

The Academic Honesty Policy for S&E English Classes

The following will be considered violations of our academic honesty policy:

  1. Copying answers from another student's exercise, quiz, etc. before or during class.
  2. Showing your exercise, quiz, etc. to another student before or during class.
  3. Using any form of ‘cheat sheet’ in performing an exercise, quiz, etc.
  4. Taking copies of an exercise, quiz, etc. (including unused copies) outside of the classroom. (This includes taking pictures of the exercise, quiz, etc.)
  5. Using writing instruments or telephones during feedback of an in-class exercise, quiz, etc.
  6. Copying answers from another student's exercise, quiz, etc. while it is being administered.
  7. Copying any portion of a homework exercise from another student.
  8. Allowing any portion of your homework exercise to be copied by another student.
  9. Copying (or closely paraphrasing) portions of a homework assignment from other sources (printed matter, the Internet, etc.) and presenting it as your own, regardless of whether you acknowledge the source. This includes using translation software to translate any portion of your submission into English.
  10. Sharing Rainbow or English Expeditions User IDs or Passwords with another student.

Any of the above violations will result in a score of 0 for ALL exercises on that day, as well as forfeiting your chance for extra-credit.

理工学部英語授業における「不正行為」に関する取り決め

不正行為は、いかなる理由があれ一切認められません。以下のような行為は、不正行為とみなします。

  1. 他者のQuiz, Exercise(予習用課題、復習用課題を含む)の答えを勝手に盗み見たり、写させてもらったりした場合
  2. 他者にQuiz, Exercise(予習用課題、復習用課題を含む)の答えを写させた場合
  3. Quiz, Exercise等において、カンニングペーパー等を使用した場合
  4. Quiz, Exercise等の答案(未使用のものも含む)を不当に持ち帰った場合 (カメラ付き携帯等による撮影も含みます)
  5. Quiz, Exercise等のフィードバックの際、筆記用具、携帯電話等を手にした場合 (正答を盗もうとしたとみなします)
  6. その他、Quiz, Exercise等の実施を妨害する行為、他者の受験を妨害する行為、 替え玉受験等も、不正行為とみなします。
  7. Homework Assignmentにおいて、他者のAssignmentの一部または全部をコピーした場合
  8. Homework Assignmentにおいて、他者に自身のAssignmentの一部または全部を コピーさせた場合
  9. Homework Assignmentにおいて、書籍やWWWのサイトから得た情報をそのまま、 もしくは改ざんの後、断りなく(引用を明記せずに)、自身のAssignmentに盗り入れた(すなわち著作権を侵害した)場合(英語の授業で課されるassignmentの多くは、引用を明記する、しないにかかわらず、一切の引用を認めていません) 。これには翻訳ソフトの使用も含みます。一旦日本語で書いて、それを翻訳ソフトを利用して翻訳して提出することは、それがたとえ一文であっても許されません。
  10. RainbowやEnglish ExpeditionsのユーザーIDやパスワードの授受があった場合

上記、および上記に類する「不正行為」があった場合は、当該学生の当該科目における、その日の得点を0点にするとともに、Extra-credit pointsはすべて無効になります。