NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 英語溝通與表達(0942)
	(Eng.) English Communication and Expression
Offering Dept	Language Center
Course Type	Required	Credits	2	Teacher	Pan Yen-Chih
Department	General	Language	中/英文	Semester	2026-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:Gender Equality Reading: The Iron Lady; What if Women Ruled the World Skills: skimming, scanning, checking details, making inferences, identifying opinions Week 3 Unit 2: Marriage around the World Reading: Different Ways of Tying the Knot; Changing Views of Marriage Skills: cause and effect, making inferences Week 4 Unit 3: A Thirsty World Reading: The Cochabamba Water War; Water Worries Skills: reference words, making inferences Week 5 Unit 4: Fished Out: Our Empty Oceans Reading: The Grand Banks; Our Desert Oceans Skills: checking details, making inferences, identifying purpose Week 6 Nuclear Power: Clean and Bright Reading: Green Energy; The ONE Energy Solution Skills: cause and effect, making inferences Week 7 Unit 6: Renewable Energy: The Green Choice Reading: Winds of Change; Beyond Fossil Fuels Week 8 Midterm Exam Week 9 Unit 7: Free Trade: Cheap Goods or Good Jobs Reading: Free Trade in North America; Free Trade = No Bargain Week 10 Pretest Week 11 Unit 8: Inequality in a Richer World Reading: The Lehman Shock; The Promotion of Wealth Week 12 Unit 9: Online Retailing: Disappearing Stores Reading: The Disappearing Bookstore; The End of the Store as We Know it Week 13 Unit 10: The Office of the Future Reading: Covid 19: Reshaping the Work-from-Home Landscape; Working from Home Week 14 Unit 11: Online Addiction: Too Much fun Reading: Internet Addiction; Fun, Popular and Deadly Week 15 Unit 12: Social Media: Changing Our Lives Reading: The Unexpected Effects of Social Media; A Networked World 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 1 (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)
include experience courses：N

Please respect the intellectual property rights and use the materials legally.Please respect gender equality.
Update Date, year/month/day：2026/09/06 15:40:57	Printed Date, year/month/day：2026 / 10 / 17
The second-hand book website：http://www.myub.com.tw/