English: Gate – 1st Year – 2021 Fall Instructor: Dr. Brian G. Rubrecht, Ph.D. Day / Time: Friday 3rd period Class Outline: Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be online this semester. It is nearly impossible to do what we normally do in this class through online methods. However, we will try our best! This class was quite successful last year, so I am confident we will do fine this year as well. Please realize that as long as you try your best and participate you should be able to (a) learn course content and (b) pass the class. Also, you should know about what this class is normally about (when the classes normally happen). Typically, because Gate is a reading and writing course, students participate individually, in pairs, and in groups in order to improve their written word comprehension and application skills. Students learn and practice lesson topics in controlled situations but are encouraged to improvise more as the course progresses. Typical activities include reading and writing in the same lesson, and students are encouraged to share their understanding and assignments with each other. Thus, students read passages, do grammar exercises, and for writing, they learn specifically paragraph writing (the necessary pieces and process). Students effectively engage in learning and skill building of all language areas. Class Objectives: The objectives of this course are for students to: (1) gain confidence in writing English (2) learn/practice paragraph structure, (3) develop reading skills for general understanding, (4) develop English grammar skills, and (5) develop useful life skills Class Materials: (1) notebook paper (for writing new vocabulary, taking class notes, etc.) (2) electronic or paper dictionary (3) file or binder for handouts ß VERY IMPORTANT!!! (4) textbook: à No textbook. Just download handouts. Classwork Grading and Explanation: Class contribution: 50% This means many things. (1) Students must submit an Attendance Record Sheet (ARS) weekly. This is your attendance grade. (2) All files must be renamed as your teacher tells you to (this is very important because incorrectly named files can easily be lost and thus students cannot get points or a grade). (3) All files must be submitted in a timely manner. Homework: 25% Homework assignments will be answer sheets and other download handouts. Final Assignment: 25% A final assignment is planned for this class.

Please take responsibility and be a good student! FOLLOW THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE!

rubrecht@meiji.ac.jp http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~rubrecht/index.html