OCSALS (Oral Communication Skills & Academic Listening Skills)

Oral Communication Skills [OCS]
This component focuses on two major activities: oral presentations and small group discussions. Students will develop skills for making individual and group oral presentations, participating in group discussion activities on selected academic topics, and effectively handling group dynamics in group project work.

• 1: Language needed for general classroom interactions
• 2: Language needed for oral presentations and group discussions
• 3: Effective strategies for making individual and group presentations
• 4: Effective strategies for discussing a topic at an academic level
• 5: Effective communication skills in a group
• 6: Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and articulation of sounds, words, and sentences
  
  

Throughout the course, an emphasis will be placed on self-expression and the development of fluency.

Academic Listening Skills [ALS]
This component focuses on the development of comprehension skills in academic contexts and note-taking skills that aid such comprehension. Students will listen to short audio- or video-based academic lectures, take notes, and answer questions or participate in follow-up discussions.
In comprehending academic lectures, students will be able to:

• 1: identify the overall focus and parts of a lecture
• 2: distinguish between main points and supporting details
• 3: identify points of transition and linking words and phrases
• 4: distinguish repetitions and re-phrasing of ideas from new content
  
  

Some news reports and documentaries may also be included as listening materials.
Students will practice efficient note-taking skills and develop familiarity with the use of abbreviations, symbols, and outlining in listening to academic lectures.
Aural comprehension materials will be carefully sequenced in length, complexity, and authenticity, which will help to familiarize students with speech delivered at a speed considered natural for a native speaker of English.

TS (Text Skills )

The Text Skills course focuses on basic academic reading and writing needs common to students in GSIR and GSIM.

In writing, students will:

• 1: understand the principles of organization and development
• 2: write paragraphs and short essays on familiar topics
• 3: practice editing and revising their written drafts
• 4: practice paraphrasing and summarizing source material
  
  

In reading, they will:

• 1: understand the structure and organization of academic texts
• 2: identify main points and locate specific information
• 3: distinguish between facts and opinions
• 4: summarize essential information
  
  

The course will also deal with basic grammar and vocabulary in the context of academic writing and reading. Students will make use of reference materials and dictionaries to develop vocabulary. The course will introduce authentic readings from selected IR and IM content courses to expose students to graduate-level reading materials used at IUJ.

IMF Text Skills

During Weeks 1-4 of the IEP, IMF Students will join the other IEP students in Period 3 and 4 everyday for general academic writing skills. During Weeks 5-8 of the IEP, the IMF students will not attend IEP classes since their focus will switch to math, computing, Japanese language, and economics classes, but they will continue their academic writing studies by attending individual tutorials that are focused on the early stages of thesis preparation. See also Section 3 below.

Business Communication Skills

Summer-only professional students will attend a customized Business Communication Skills course that focuses on spoken and written English for international business purposes.

The IEP provides excellent opportunities for social and group activities, mostly organized by students with support from faculty and staff. Members of the IEP Student Committee, formed by student volunteers from the IEP & IMF-OP take initiative in organizing the activities. Membership in the Student Committee provides opportunities for showing initiative and developing leadership and organizational skills. The surrounding areas are ideal for outdoor activities.

Possible activities include:

• 1: parties and picnics
• 2: sports (tennis, volleyball, badminton, basketball, baseball, etc.)
• 3: jogging & biking
• 4: driving around the mountainous countryside
• 5: hiking up the mountains
• 6: camping
• 7: beach trips
• 8: visits to restaurants and hot springs