Welcome to English 2A, which is about reading skills in (and for) academic contexts. In this course we will be practicing such skills with a variety of topics ranging from social issues to economics. More specifically, upon completing this course, students will be able to do the following:

  • ✔ understand short narratives and find the information they need;
  • ✔ understand the main points of newspaper and magazine articles; and
  • ✔ read texts dealing with topics of interest.

In my courses I seldom use textbooks, and in the present course we will also have no textbook. Class material will be available here on our class webpage, in Dropbox, and on ToyoNet-Ace; feel free to download, save, print, or otherwise use it. I do not provide paper handouts, but if you prefer paper, please take care of printing files yourself.



 Session #1 (April 15, 2022)— Course Introduction 

Good morning, and welcome to English 2A. Today we'll be getting acquainted and learning the basics of our class. We will also be talking some about what sort of e-mail you will be writing (in English, of course); this skill is of considerable importance here in our class as well as outside in the big, wide world.

Second, you will be crafting a personal vocabulary list as part of our Class Word Bank. This is done online using Google Drive, to which I will invite you.

Class Material for Session #1:


 Session #2 (April 22) — Extensive Reading Explanation; Academic Reading 

This morning we'll begin with a look at how our Class Word Bank in progressing. Has everyone added five words?

Our second task today is to introduce the extensive reading component of our class. For those not familiar with the concept of extensive reading, it simply means to read a large amount of material that is not so difficult. The benefits are myriad, and it's often termed pleasure reading for the simple reason that it should be pleasurable. In the Class Material (below) you will find lots of material.

You will keep a record of your reading using Google Drive; I will explain this later.

Our third task (time permitting!) is do some intensive reading, which is the form usually included in reading courses. For this exercise we will be using a short passage about food of the future, which is from the National Geographic/Cengage Reading Explorer series. Incidentally, in this reading you will find mention of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

Class Material & Homework for Session #2:

  • ✔ER Central
  • ✔Paul Nation's Graded Readers webpage
  • ✔Free Graded Readers
  • ✔ Reading resource page
  • ✔ Newsela: K-12 readings in different subject, each provided at different levels of difficulty; free with registration
  • ✔ Dreamreader: free online English reading practice in different genres at different proficiency levels (low-intermediate, intermediate, high-intermediate, advanced)—text, audio, comprehension quizzes
  • ✔ Free graded readers courtesy of Paul Nation. Professor Paul Nation has made classic novels and non-fiction materials available as mid-frequency readers at the 4000, 6000, and 8000 word level, including A Christmas Carol, A Modest Proposal, Jane Eyre, Metamorphosis, Sherlock Holmes, Wuthering Heights, and The Prince.
  • ✔ ESL.bits: novels (text) with audio (at 2 speeds); include classics, novellas, short stories (intermediate & advanced); other listening/reading materials for intermediate & advanced, different lengths
  • ✔ Free graded readers: for extensive reading at lower levels (elementary-beginner-pre-intermediate-intermediate)
  • ✔ English for Intermediate Learners: short stories with audio, grammar, comprehension, dictation exercises, and crossword puzzles


 Session #3 (May 6) — News Reading 

In our class this morning, we will again begin with a spot check of your Word Bank progress. In addition, allow me to explain how to record your extensive reading, which will be on your Word Bank page.

Our primary task today will be to reread the Future Food article and check the worksheet.

Class Material & Homework:


Session #4 (May 13) — Economics Reading 

We will begin with time for you to reread the 'new human species' article. While you are doing that, I will provide comments to individuals about the Class Word Bank.

In the latter half of today's class we will begin reading about the issue of reading on paper vs. reading on a screen, which is, of course, crucial with our modern use of digital devices as well as the current necessity of online learning.

Class Material & Homework:


Session #5 (May 20) — Technology Reading 

Today, Good People, we will be working through the article assigned last week about the issue of reading on a screen vs. reading on paper. As we all have to read some on screens now and—in light of our virus-mandated isolation—reading on digital devices has become a crucial part of our everyday life.

I would also like to explain a bit more about our extensive reading component.

For next week, please do the reading below about Urban Planet, which deals with the increasing pace of urbanization. This is certainly an issue that will increasingly concern us all in the future as we become more urban. Note that I've included a video link below for your viewing pleasure.

Class Material:

  • ✔ a very timely story on the issue of reading on a screen vs. reading on paper
  • ✔ our Urban Planet story
  • Extensive Reading
  • (1) From the Toyo University Library, read at least three (3) graded readers (books). You will, of course, need to either borrow them or read them in the library.
  • (2) From online material, read at least 100 pages.
  • (3) Record your reading on your Word Bank page.


Session #6 (May 27) — Quiz; Academic Reading 

Today you will enjoy a small quiz, about which you are certainly excited. Or perhaps not. This needs to be finished by midnight today. Good luck!

Class Material:

Note: we will have no class on June 3.


Session #7 (June 10) — Economics Reading 

Good day, everyone, and I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather. Today we will venture into an economics topic, microlending. You might recall that this attracted considerable attention a few years ago and even resulted in a strong proponent, Muhammad Yunus, receiving a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Your homework this week will be to both read the article below and to check on microlending (also known as microfinance). Here is a helpful webpage from the IMF that explains the basic principles of microfinance.

Class Material:

  • ✔ Next week you will introduce one book (or story) that you have read in your extensive reading. Your introduction will ...
    • (1) be 2-3 minutes long;
    • (2) include an image of the book/story;
    • (3) have at least a 1-minute description of the story;
    • (4) include the highlights (i.e., what was good, what you liked); and
    • (5) conclude with your rating and recommendation.
  • ✔ from NPR, a fine reading about microlending
  • ✔ microlending worksheet
  • ✔ the Grameen Bank
  • ✔ the website for Go Fund Me
  • ✔ the Kiva Global website


Session #8 (June 17) — Economics 

Today we will devote our time to the topic of microlending. Let's begin with a video about one successful outcome from the world of micro-loans.

Next, I would like to add a speaking activity in which you will work with a group of your classmates (about four). You will be explaining and extending parts of the microlending reading as detailed at the end of this supplement for the microlending reading

Your homework:


Session #9 (June 24) — Resources 

An issue of growing importance is our use of the resources that we have on Earth. These are, of course, immense yet limited; to the right you'll see water footprints; water is vital to life on Earth, but supplies of fresh water are limited and dwindling. Oil is another such resource that underpins much of modern lifestyles, but we very likely will run short of oil sometime in the next 100 years or so. (Of course, we really don't know when that will happen.)

Class Material:


Session #10 (July 1) — World Languages 

Today we'll begin with short reports from each group. As you certainly remember, these are from the reading on microlending OR related topics from class two weeks ago.

Next, we will turn to a consideration of languages and especially languages with few speakers. The trend over the last century or so has been to embrace the major languages to the detriment of minor tongues; one only need to look at the growth of English as a modern lingua franca to see this trend.

Class Material:


Session #11 (July 15) — News Reading 

This week you will need to take a small, easy quiz. For this, you should review the various readings we've had in the last few weeks. You might also have a look at our classroom English, the correct way to write a polite email, and so forth. I will activate the link this afternoon about 2:30.

In today's class we will continue our consideration of world languages and the tricky business of preserving the many, many languages that exist. The trend over the last century or so has been to embrace the major languages to the detriment of minor tongues; one only need to look at the growth of English as a modern lingua franca to see this trend.

Class Material:

Final Project Details:

  • ✔ Group written report + an oral presentation
  • ✔ Topic: something related to language
  • ✔ Length: 1 page per person plus a title page plus sources
  • ✔ Language: English, of course
  • ✔ Sources: at least 5 (any language OK, but sources must be listed in romaji)
  • ✔ Format: academic paper format (see video below)
  • ✔ Deadline: August 1 at 23:00 via this File Request (Toyo English 2A final projects)
  • ✔ Academic Paper Guidelines

Possible Topics:

  • ✔ introduction of an interesting language (e.g., Tuvan, Apatani, Ainu)
  • ✔ English education in Japan
  • ✔ an interesting writing system (e.g., Nunavut)
  • ✔ translation devices
  • ✔ bilingualism / multilingualism
  • ✔ AI and language (ChatGPT, etc.)
  • ✔ First Voices
  • ✔ Introduce a special language
  • 1. sign language
  • 2. Braille
  • 3. whistled language (e.g., Sylbo)
  • 4. an artificial language (e.g., Na'vi from the movie Avatar or Esperanto


Session #12 (July 15) — Culture Reading—Endangered Languages 

Today we will begin by dancing through the remainder of our reading on languages.

An announcement: on July 29, folks, I would like you to introduce another book or story from your extensive reading. This time the use of PowerPoint is required.

Class Material:


Session #13 (July 22) — Preparation 

In class today we will continue with and finish our language unit. In the reading we find mention of the Tuvan language , which is spoken in the Republic of Tuva that borders Mongolia.

Should you want to learn more about some of those 7000 languages, you might spend some time on Wikitongues

To answer Question 6 in Part D on page 204, please have a look at the Talking Dictionaries page in the Enduring Voices webpage or the Talking Dictionaries page on the Swarthmore College webpage.

Our Upcoming Schedule:

Class Material:


Session #14 (July 29) — Extensive Reading Reports 

Today, my Good People, we will begin with your second extensive reading report. I would like you to again introduce a book or story that you read (either online or 'in hand'). As we did last time, you will introduce it to a small group, and this time I would like everyone to use PowerPoint. Please hand in your PowerPoint using this File Request (2nd book intro).

Class Material:


Session #15 (August 5) — Final Project Presentations & Class Summary 

In today's class we will enjoy oral presentations of each group's final project. A reminder: you should have already finished our the final exam for our class.

Please enjoy a safe, relaxing summer vacation!


In this course, Good Students, we have a few rules. In more detail, those include

  • ✔ Punctual attendance; being late is counted as 0.5 absences, and being more than 20 minutes late will be considered an absence.
  • ✔ More than four absences will result in a failing grade.
  • ✔ Homework will be submitted on time. Late homework will be penalized 25% per week late.
  • ✔ If you must be absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact me.

Of course, you'll be wondering about your grade, which will consist of the following parts:

  • ✔ Class participation 10%
  • ✔ Word Bank 20%
  • ✔ Oral reports (2 x 10%) = 20%
  • ✔ Quizzes and final exam 20%
  • ✔ Final presentation and report 30%
URL: www.jimelwood.net/students/toyo/english2A/toyoenglish2A.html

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Date last updated: July 29, 2023* Copyright 2023 by JE