STUDENT VOICES

The following student reviews were originally written in Japanese and have been translated into English.

Interaction

My speaking skills improved in this course.
78%
I am satisfied with this course.
83%

I enjoyed being able to express my own experiences and thoughts based on different themes, which helped me improve my communication skills and stay engaged in the lessons.

Regular group discussions helped me enhance my English skills. Since I frequently talked about myself, I became more motivated to express my ideas clearly to my classmates.

The English-only lessons were a new experience for me at university, but the teacher’s slow and easy-to-understand speech helped me keep up with the class.

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

Presentation

My presentation skills improve in this course.
85%
I am satisfied with this course.
81%

I effectively learned how to create materials that make it easier for the audience to understand and which gestures add more persuasiveness to my presentation.

It was challenging to structure my presentation, but I was able to improve my skills in using various sources, designing slide layouts, and applying effects, which was a valuable experience.

I used to struggle with presenting in English, but through this course, I learned how to deliver a presentation effectively. With three presentation opportunities, I gradually improved my slide design, speaking speed, and overall delivery.

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

Discussion

My discussion skills improved in this course.
81%
I am satisfied with this course.
88%

I learned and practiced the key aspects of conducting a good discussion and ensuring smooth communication. I believe these skills will also be useful when speaking in English in the future.

At first, I thought debating in English would be very challenging, but as we had more discussions, I found it increasingly enjoyable and rewarding. I have always liked speaking English, but I also experienced how nervousness can sometimes make it difficult to find the right words.

While English discussions were the main focus, I also had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics, from environmental issues to local cultures. Even when I couldn't express myself perfectly, I realized the importance of making an effort to communicate.

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

Writing

My writing skills improved in this course.
87%
I am satisfied with this course.
84%

I had never studied English writing in such depth before, so I found it interesting how sentence structures differ from Japanese writing.

Unlike the writing I did in high school, this course taught me how to structure my essays more logically. I also had the opportunity to practice writing, and I feel that what I learned will be useful in the future.

The instructor provided detailed comments on my submitted essays and outlines, which helped me identify what information and data were needed, as well as the appropriate transitions and word choices for my final essay. The grading criteria for each assignment were also clearly outlined, which I found very helpful.

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

Critical Thinking in English

I was satisfied with the instructor's teaching methods.
80%
I am satisfied with this course.
80%

By deeply discussing various social issues, I learned what it really means to analyze a problem and consider its true underlying causes.

I was reminded of the importance of providing clear reasoning and evidence for my statements while avoiding personal attacks. Pair work also allowed me to hear different perspectives and think more critically about each topic.

I learned to analyze a text from multiple viewpoints. Some passages contained hidden biases or were based on mere assumptions. This course made me realize that critical thinking involves looking at issues from various angles. These skills are also useful in everyday life.

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

English for Specific Fields

My English skills improved in this course.
75%
I am satisfied with this course.
81%

Giving a presentation in English on global political issues, a topic I am personally interested in, required me to fully understand the subject. This process helped deepen my understanding of the issues. (Sophomore, Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics)

Each class included activities related to early childhood education. We had experiences such as reading English picture books aloud and trying out activities suitable for young children, which made the lessons engaging. (Sophomore, Faculty of Education)

Since the course was primarily focused on role-playing, I was able to learn while imagining real-life scenarios where English is used in medical settings. This practical approach was very beneficial. (Sophomore, School of Nursing)

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

CALL

My listening skills improved in this course.
81%
I am satisfied with this course.
94%

No matter what your level is, I strongly recommend this material. As you go through it, you start to understand more about the appeal of American universities, which really boosts your motivation to study abroad. Plus, you get to practice both formal and casual English, so if you're interested in studying abroad, you should definitely give it a try! (CALL Material: "College Life" Student)

Just like the concept suggests, this material introduces everyday life in the U.S., making it easy to start learning because the content and vocabulary aren’t too difficult. You also get to pick up commonly used expressions, contractions, and the natural intonation of native speakers. If you want to improve your conversation skills with people from other countries, this is a great resource!(CALL Material: "American Daily Life" Student)

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)

CALL2

My listening skills improved in this course.
85%
I am satisfied with this course.
95%

his material covered a lot about Alberta, which is exactly where I'll be studying abroad this summer. It helped me learn so much about the area, and that really boosted my motivation to study.(CALL Material: "Canadian Ways" Student)

The listening material was divided into different steps, making it easier to follow along. I could feel myself improving as I went, which made learning really rewarding.

This material introduced the international student life in the UK, featuring students from all over the world. It made me more motivated to learn, and I realized that it's totally okay to speak English confidently, even with different accents.(CALL Material: "Study Abroad in the UK" Student)

This material showed how dedicated university students in other countries are, which inspired me to work harder in my own studies.(CALL Material: "World Englishes in Australia" Student)

From the 2024 Spring Semester Course Survey (Respondents: 661, Response Rate: 71.9%)