First Year Courses

There are three types of first year courses in the ELA Program: Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) courses, Reading and Content Analysis (RCA) courses, and Academic Skills (AS) courses. For all ARW and RCA courses, classes are connected to liberal arts topics. Each content topic usually lasts 3 or 4 weeks. Some of the current ELA topics are: "Educational Values," "Issues of Race," and "Visions of the Future." The AS courses support the ARW and RCA courses by strengthening different skill areas, such as listening, doing research, giving presentations, and using academic tools and resources. In Stream 1, students only take ARW1. In Stream 2, students take ARW2 and AS2. In Stream 3, students take ARW3, RCA3, and AS3. In Stream 4, students take ARW4, RCA4, and AS4.

Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) Courses (All students)

The Academic Reading and Writing courses include the following components:

  • Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) classes
  • Tutorials (Tut)
  • Lectures for Liberal Arts (LLA)

ARW: The ARW classes meet three times a week and are taught by non-Japanese teachers. The courses focus on developing critical thinking, academic reading, and writing skills.

Tut: A tutorial class is a special time when you can to talk individually with your ARW teacher about problems or questions you have about your writing assignments. This class is often arranged by appointment.

LLA: LLA is a one-hour-per-week, lecture-focused, support component for both the ARW and RCA courses. The primary purpose of LLA is to provide students with informative and intellectually stimulating lectures relevant to ELA topics, readings, and skills. Tests and occasional alternative activities may also be part of this component. This class usually involves groups of students in multiple combined sections. LLA offers examples of liberal arts content and skills, and helps to develop academic lecture listening and note-taking skills. To view a sample lecture, click here.

Reading and Content Analysis Course (RCA) Courses (Stream 3 and Stream 4 students)

The Reading and Content Analysis courses include the following components:

  • Reading and Content Analysis (RCA) classes
  • Tutorial (Tut)
  • Lectures for Liberal Arts (LLA)

RCA: RCA classes meet two times each week and are taught by Japanese instructors. These classes consist of a reading part and a writing part. The reading part develops the skill of reading content for accuracy. The writing part develops understanding of English sentences, paragraphs, and academic texts.

Tut: Tutorial periods are scheduled to give you time to talk individually with your RCA teacher about problems or questions you have about your writing. RCA tutorials are usually arranged by appointment.

LLA: LLA is a one-hour-per-week, lecture-focused, support component for both the ARW and RCA courses. The primary purpose of LLA is to provide students with informative and intellectually stimulating lectures relevant to ELA topics, readings, and skills. Tests and occasional alternative activities may also be part of this component. This class usually involves groups of students in multiple combined sections. LLA offers examples of liberal arts content and skills, and helps to develop academic lecture listening and note-taking skills. To view a sample lecture, click here.

Academic Skills (AS) Courses (Streams 2, 3, & 4 students)

Academic Skills courses help you learn the English language skills that you need to be successful in ARW and RCA courses. These courses also help prepare you to take other classes taught in English at ICU. AS courses are divided into several components, which each meet once or twice per week.

Spring term

Each Stream has a different pattern of AS course components.

Stream 1 does not have an AS course

Stream 2 students all take the following AS2 component in spring term:

  • Academic Tools and Strategies 2 (ATS2) This component meets once per week.

Stream 3 students all take the following AS3 components in spring term:

  • Academic Tools and Strategies 3 (ATS3) This component meets once per week.
  • Speaking and Listening 3 (S&L3) This component meets twice per week.

Stream 4 students all take the following AS4 components in spring term:

  • Academic Tools and Strategies 4 (ATS4) This component meets once per week.
  • Speaking and Listening 4 (S&L4) This component meets twice per week.
  • Reading and Writing 4 (R&W4) This component meets twice per week.

Autumn and Winter terms

Stream 2 students all take the following AS2 component in autumn term:

  • Research and Presentation 2 (R&P2) This component meets once per week.

Stream 3 students all take the following AS component in spring term:

  • Research and Presentation 3 (R&P3) This component meets once per week.

In addition, Stream 3 students have two elective AS3 components each week for both autumn and winter terms. The AS3 elective component choices are:

Autumn:

1. Academic Debate (once per week)
2. Grammar for Written Communication (once per week)
3. Lectures and Critical Discussion (twice per week)
4. Pronunciation (once per week)

Winter:

1. Academic Debate (once per week)
2. Advanced Research and Presentation (once per week)
3. Grammar for Written Communication (once per week)
4. Lectures and Critical Discussion (twice per week)
5. Pronunciation (once per week)

Stream 4 students all take the following AS4 components in both autumn and winter terms:

  • Research and Presentation 4 (R&P4) This component meets once per week.
  • Speaking and Listening 4 (S&L4) This component meets once per week.
  • Reading and Writing 4 (R&W4) This component meets once per week.

International Christian University : The English for Liberal Arts Program