NCHU Course Outline
Course Name (中) 英語溝通與表達(0918)
(Eng.) English Communication and Expression
Offering Dept Language Center
Course Type Required Credits 2 Teacher Pan Yen-Chih
Department General Language English Semester 2025-FALL
Course Description *In Focus 2* is an intermediate-level English course designed to help students expand their language proficiency while developing critical thinking skills. The course presents engaging, real-world topics such as English as a global language, population issues, sports and salaries, global warming, concepts of beauty, vegetarianism, and factory farming.

Each unit systematically integrates **core vocabulary development** (10 keywords per unit from the New General Service List), **reading skills** (skimming, scanning, inference, identifying opinions, cause and effect), **speaking activities**, and **writing tasks**. Students also practice **research skills**, comparing and analyzing information, and are guided to express their opinions through discussion and presentations.

The course emphasizes **critical thinking** by encouraging students to distinguish facts from opinions, evaluate multiple perspectives, and form informed arguments. Media links to documentaries or films provide additional real-world connections. Online resources support vocabulary practice, speed reading, and listening, further enhancing learner autonomy.

By the end of the course, students will have improved their **English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills**, strengthened their **academic and presentation abilities**, and developed the capacity to think critically and communicate effectively in global contexts.
Prerequisites
self-directed learning in the course Y
Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives Competency Indicators Ratio(%) Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. **Expand Core Vocabulary** – Master key academic and high-frequency words (10 per unit from the New General Service List) and use them appropriately in reading, writing, and speaking contexts.

2. **Develop Reading Skills** – Apply strategies such as skimming, scanning, identifying details, making inferences, recognizing opinions, and analyzing cause-effect relationships to understand authentic texts.

3. **Strengthen Critical Thinking** – Distinguish facts from opinions, categorize and evaluate information, and formulate reasoned arguments on global and social issues.

4. **Enhance Communication Skills** – Engage in discussions, conduct research, and deliver structured presentations using appropriate language prompts and strategies.

5. **Build Global Awareness** – Explore and critically reflect on real-world topics (e.g., globalization, environment, population, sports, beauty, diet, ethics), developing cross-cultural understanding and the ability to express informed perspectives.
topic Discussion/Production
Discussion
Lecturing
Attendance
Oral Presentation
Assignment
Study Outcome
Quiz
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content
Week 1 1. Course introduction
2. Assessment & Grading
3. Classroom Policies
4. Student Expectations
Week 2 Unit 1:A World of English

Reading: The Wonder of Language, An English-Speaking World

Skills: skimming, scanning, checking details, making inferences, identifying opinions
Week 3 Unit 2: Disappearing Languages

Reading: The Rise and Fall of Languages, The Killer Language

Skills: cause and effect, making inferences
Week 4 Unit 3: Where Are All the Babies?

Reading: Population Pyramids, Fewer and Fewer Babies

Skills: reference words, making inferences
Week 5 Our Crowded Earth

Reading: Population Growth, Exploding Population

Skills: checking details, making inferences, identifying purpose
Week 6 The Price of Excellence

Reading: Sports and Competition, The Search for Speed

Skills: cause and effect, making inferences
Week 7 Do Great Athletes Deserve Great Salaries?

Reading: The Economics of Sport, Salaries of Top Sportspeople
Week 8 Midterm Exam
Week 9 Global Warming

Reading: Causes of Global Warming, Solutions to Global Warming
Week 10 Pretest
Week 11 What Is Beauty?

Reading: Beauty Across Cultures, Changing Ideas of Beauty
Week 12 The Business of Beauty

Reading: Beauty and the Media, The Beauty Industry
Week 13 Vegetarianism

Reading: Why Be Vegetarian?, Vegetarianism and Health
Week 14 Factory Farming

Reading: Modern Farming Practices, The Debate on Factory Farming
Week 15 Final Review / Critical Thinking Project

Focus on integrating vocabulary, reading, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Week 16 Final Exam
self-directed
learning		    01.Participation in professional forums, lectures, and corporate sharing sessions related to industry-government-academia-research exchange activities.
   02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
   04.Participation in visits or internships at industry, government, or academic institutions.
Evaluation
Class participation/attendance and assignments: 10%
Quizzes and unit tests: 10%
Project presentation: 10%
Pretest 10%
English Score: 5%
Midterm Exam:30%
Final exam: 30%
Textbook & other References
1. In Focus 2 (Student Book)
2. Authors: Joseph Phillips, Charles Browne, Brent Culligan
3. Publisher: Kinseido Publishing Co., Ltd. (2024)
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
In Focus official website (infocus-eltseries.com) – Offers online resources such as interactive flashcards, vocabulary practice tools, supplementary graded readings, listening materials, and speed reading exercises.

Media links – Suggested movies, documentaries, or TV programs related to each unit topic to give students additional perspectives.
Office Hours
By appointment only. Students are required to make an appointment in advance via email.
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
04.Quality Education   05.Gender Equality   10.Reduced Inequalities   16.Peace and Justice   17.Partnerships for the Goalsinclude experience courses：N
Please respect the intellectual property rights and use the materials legally.Please respect gender equality.
Update Date, year/month/day：2025/08/26 18:57:24 Printed Date, year/month/day：2025 / 10 / 19
The second-hand book website：http://www.myub.com.tw/