LIST OF COURSES

This course is recommended for students who need or want to raise their TOEFL score, especially those planning to study abroad in an English-speaking university. There is a strong emphasis on advanced grammar. In addition, skills in listening and reading are developed through practice tests. The course includes TOEFL tips and test-taking techniques. A pre-exam and final exam (actual TOEFL exams) are given for students to assess their progress.

The purpose of this class is to prepare those planning to study or live in the U.S. for functioning in various daily life situations. Particular emphasis is placed on levels of politeness. The class includes greeting people; giving/accepting/refusing invitations; making telephone calls; going to the doctor's, the hairdresser's, and restaurants; using money wisely; and taking precautions.

Students are guided from pronunciation of phonemes (short sounds) through words and sentences to full-length passages. Emphasis is placed on intonation, stress, and reduced sounds as well as the rhythm of American English. Students are given tools to hear and feel for themselves how to improve their pronunciation. Improvement in listening is one of the benefits of the course.

Designed for students who have never had a conversation course or who haven't studied English for many years, this course covers basic phrases for daily conversation. Natural, spoken English is emphasized with extra practice on structures students find challenging. Some translation is used, but students are encouraged to use English as much as possible.

This class is intended for students who have studied some English conversation but want more practice in order to improve their fluency. It will include listening to tapes, improving pronunciation, and developing vocabulary plus providing opportunity for free conversation. Topics for discussion are decided by the students as well as the instructor.

In this class students can develop fluency through discussion of current social and political issues, both in Japan and throughout the world. Long-range topics, such as discrimination, environmental problems, ethics in biotechnology, etc. are also included. Students are encouraged to initiate topics and to express their opinions in free discussion.

The purpose of this class is to develop fluency in reading and speaking, vocabulary, and understanding of American culture and history. One possible text (Chiefs by Stuart Woods) is an historical suspense novel placed in a small town in the South during three periods: the 20s, the 40s, and the 60s. At the end of each section of the novel, a video based on the novel is shown.

Other possible texts include The Bridges of Madison County, Flowers for Algernon, and The Accidental Tourist.

The purpose of this class is to develop listening comprehension and vocabulary through watching films. Students are given various exercises to do while viewing segments of feature films (including Sleepless in Seattle, Overboard, and Hoosiers). After looking at parts of the films for details about character and plot, the entire film is viewed without subtitles.

Different ways are practiced to start a piece of creative writing, from brain-storming to free writing. Topics are introduced through pictures, video clips, music, reading, and discussion. Generally students write on the same topic, but individual approaches, expression, and ideas are encouraged. Peer feedback on classmates' writing is an important element of the class.

Students are introduced to Western-style organization of writing with a gradual development from writing paragraphs to writing essays with a thesis and supporting ideas. There is also an emphasis on grammar, particularly use of transitions, and appropriate vocabulary in conjunction with formal writing. English-English dictionaries are encouraged.

Particularly useful for students planning to study abroad or give presentations at conferences, this course introduces the various elements necessary to an academic paper including table of contents, footnotes, and a bibliography. Using local library facilities, the Internet, or references on CD-ROMs, students learn to take notes, summarize, and organize a coherent, cohesive paper with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

This class is intended for English teachers or advanced students. Fine points of grammar are introduced and analyzed, attempting to understand both how and why to use certain complex structures. Comparisons between Japanese and English grammar are examined. Students are encouraged to initiate questions about any aspect of English grammar, which provides part of the basis for the class.

The purpose of this class is to guide the students through the procedures that should be completed in Japan prior to departure and after arrival in the United States. Also it attempts to familiarize the students with various aspects of preparing for and coping with studying and living in the United States.

Topics covered include: