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English for Academic Purposes prepares students to succeed as students of American universities. English skills are important, but reasoning skills and being able to express onself are equally important. In the US, classes are interactive and involve the exchange of ideas between students and professors and among the students themselves. The English for Academic Purposes program will help students learn what it takes to study at an American university.

Reasoning Skills are the ability to analyze things from a variety of angles, develop one's ideas logically and explain them to others in one's own words. The classes will not try to extract a single answer from students but will require them to answer what they personally think. One student will express his or her own ideas, and the other students will learn to respect different viewpoints and come up with new ideas. It is important to be able to answer clearly why one holds a particular view and express those thoughts logically.


A high level of English skills are required in the Academic Program and the Bachelor's Degree Program. In English for Academic Purposes, English is studied in English, not Japanese, making it much different than high school English classes. It is important that the student give his or her best, even if he or she cannot speak English at first. In order to develop broad English skills, one must listen, speak, read and write in English every day.



In American university education, students are expected to take initiative and actively participate in classes by asking questions and studying on their own. To succeed in an American university, students do not merely study what is required of them in the classes but learn how to solve problems on their own. Developing these skills is what will help students when they run into obstacles and must figure out what course of action to take. These skills will be acquired in English for Academic Purposes.


Vocabulary, terminology and expressions will be studied in order to develop the ability to understand lessons and ask questions about points that are not understood as well as communication skills to participate in discussions and debates. The ability to express oneself is developed through speeches and presentations, and various colloquial expressions are learned for use in daily life and at the academic level.



Students will develop the ability to read and comprehend large volumes of material in short periods of time. English newspapers, essays, short novels and others are used to help the students increase their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension and speed reading skills. Materials from various fields will be used to broaden the horizons of the students and help them to develop logical thinking skills. Developing ideas and opinions about the contents and the ability to pick up the important points and inconsistencies while reading are important skills to acquire.



Students will learn correct grammar usage and expressions to acquire the skills necessary to write reports and essays. By writing essays, students will learn the basics of composition. In the upper classes, they will develop the high level of writing skills required by the Academic Program and advanced courses related to composing logical paragraphs, emphasizing important points and citing sources used in research and writing reports.
12 units are earned upon completion of English for Academic Purposes
(When going on to the Lakeland College main campus)

Students who complete the English for Academic Purposes program will have 12 units when continuing their studies at the main campus. Japanese students who complete the program are given credit for completing studies in a foreign language.

TOEFLthe necessary English skills for university studies

TOEFL is administered as a test for students wishing to study abroad, but it only measures a certain aspect of English comprehension. No matter how much a student studies for the TOEFL, it can't help the student with writing essays, speaking up in class, understanding the American education system or studying within it. Yet without these skills, a student will be unprepared for studying abroad.

In English for Academic Purposes, students do not simply study to pass the TOEFL. They acquire the necessary English and academic skills for studying abroad.
English for Academic Purposes is divided into 5 levels.
The levels go from HB to LAD. Each level spans one term. Grades are awarded according to scores on Mid-term and Final exams, quizzes and assignments as well as attendance. Once the skills necessary for that level are attained, the student moves on to the next level. (Most students complete one level per term. Levels can be skipped if the student shows exceptional improvement.)
The way classes are divided between the morning and afternoon is different according to the level as follows:
Hiroshi Muneishi 13th term
Graduated from Zuyo High School in Kanagawa

English for Academic Purposes

Schedule
In this term, Hiroshi was enrolled in
LAD-1 (morning class)
Yui Kaneko 14th term
Graduated from Kyoei Senior High School in Tokyo

English for Academic Purposes

Schedule
In this term, Yui was enrolled in
LAD-2 (afternoon class)
 
Academic Skills
 
*Listening
Courses in the Academic Program and advanced levels are interactive, so listening skills are important to be able to understand the contents of the classes and pick up the key points.

*Note Taking
Because the classes are interactive, the students do not copy notes written on the blackboard by the professor but rather take down the key points that are made during discussions. It is important not to just write down symbols and abbreviations but to take clear notes so that they can be used for studying later.

*Speed Reading
In courses at the department level, many textbooks and reference materials will need to be read. Speed reading will help the student read the materials quickly and understand them. They will also learn to write down the important points made in the materials and how to review their own notes and essays written in groups to explain the key points to others.

*Writing
Students will learn how to write essays and research papers. University coursework entails writing, constructing academic theses and citing sources to explain one's own thoughts and ideas.
*Discussion
Classes are not taught one on one but are carried out in the form of discussions with participation by several students. It is important for students to learn how and when to make comments and avoid going off topic. Group work, involving groups of several students working on a single topic, is also part of the program.

*Speeches·Presentations
In university courses, students must do several speeches and presentations on issues. These activities help the student learn how to explain his or her own ideas to others and keep their attention. The listener learns how to analyze what they hear and ask questions.

*Research
In each course, topics are given and the student must research them and write and present essays explaining his or her own ideas based on the reference materials. To do this, the student must search for appropriate materials at the library, and will learn how to effectively use the library and internet to gather information.