Course schedule at end of this document.
Introductory Technical Writing (0AL0000 / 0AL0001)
Course Description (2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video
Course code

Spring - 0AL0000 / 02CA101* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Fall - 0AL0001 / 02CA102*Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Credit 2

Level PhD / Master'sththTerm/day period Spring AB OR Fall AB / Tuesday 5 & 6 period
Class size

Maximum 50 students taking course for creditRoomOnline using Zoom – see Manaba for joining instructions

Course aims /overview

In this course students will develop skills for effective academic writing. Topics
will include (1) writing in an appropriate academic style, (2) sentence andparagraph structure, (3) making a text ‘flow’ (cohesion), (4) writing definitions,and (5) describing processes. Students will learn how to produce a number of key
text types including extended definitions and problem-solution texts. There will bea strong focus on vocabulary development using the Academic Word List. Outsideclass, each week, students will complete self-study vocabulary, grammar exercises
and short writing tasks. Students will receive personalized feedback on assessed
writing tasks.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given
to students based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate
schools can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee
enrollment.
• After the first two weeks, if there is space, students from other graduate schools
can enroll. Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on
TWINS will be given priority.

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on the following:
1. Attendance
2. Completion of homework activities
3. Score on vocabulary and content quizzes
4. Score on assessed writing tasks

English in classClasses are conducted in English.

Advanced Technical Writing (0AL0002/ 0AL0003)
Course Description (2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video https://vimeo.com/524568624
Course code

Spring - 0AL0002 / 02CA103* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Fall - 0AL0003 / 02CA104*

Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Credit 2

Level PhD / Master'sththTerm/day period Spring AB OR Fall AB / Thursday 5 & 6 period
Class size

Maximum 12 students taking course for credit

RoomSB0108

Course aims /overview

In this course, students construct a short research paper based an aspect of their own
research. Students will develop a plan for their research paper and learn how toconstruct the sections that typically make up a research article (Introduction,Methods, Results, Discussion). There will be a strong focus on analysing texts inorder to understand the type of information contained in each of the sections, how it
is organised, and the typical language features (e.g. vocabulary, grammar structuresand phrases). Students will also learn how to use text analysis tools to help them
employ appropriate phraseology in their writing. Students will submit and receive
detailed feedback drafts of each section of their paper before submitting a final
version for assessment.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given tostudents based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate schools
can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee enrollment.
• After the first two weeks, if there is space, students from other graduate schools
can enroll. Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on
TWINS will be given priority.

Requirements

Students should have already taken Introductory Technical Writing and completed
research which they can write about. The course is best suited to students who are
already confident in general academic writing (e.g. CEFR B2/C1; IELTS writing
6+; TOEFL iBT writing 21+).

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on the following:
1. attendance and submission of homework / drafts
2. grades for drafts and a final version of research paper

English in classClasses are conducted in English.

Academic Presentations 1 (0AL0004/0AL0005)
Course Description (Spring 2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video https://vimeo.com/524568624
Course code

2nd period – 0AL0004 / 02CA109* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Credit 1
3rd period - 0AL0005 / 02CA113*

Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Level PhD / Master'sndTerm (module) / (1) Tuesday 2 period (0AL0004)
day / period(2) Tuesday 3rd period (0AL0005)
Class size is limited to 18 students.
Room

2nd period - SB0108; 3rd period - ZOOM

Course aims /overview

In this practical course, students will develop skills to help them make English
academic presentations with clarity and confidence. Students will learn about andmake three types of presentations: (1) Academic Introductions; (2) Describing andComparing Objects; and (3) Explaining a Process. In class, students will analyseand discuss sample presentations and learn useful techniques and language. Therewill be a strong focus on developing clear diction – e.g. pronunciation, word stress,
sentence stress and pausing. There will be plenty of opportunities for students topractice presentation skills and to evaluate their own and other’s work.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given tostudents based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate schools
can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee enrollment.
• After week 2, if there is space, students from other graduate schools can enroll.
Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on TWINS will begiven priority.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on
1. attendance and participation
2. submission of presentation scripts and videos
3. in-class presentations
4. written self-reflection on presentations

English in classClasses will be conducted in English.

Academic Presentations 2 (0AL0006/0AL0007)
Course Description (Fall 2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video https://vimeo.com/524568624
Course code

2nd period – 0AL0006 / 02CA110* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Credit 1
3rd period - 0AL0005 / 02CA114*

Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Level PhD / Master'sndTerm (module) / (1) Tuesday 2 period (0AL0006)
day / period(2) Tuesday 3rd period (0AL0005)
3rd period class will only be run if (1) is full. Class size is limited to 18 students.
RoomTBA

Course aims /overview

This course continues from Academic Presentations 1. In this practical coursestudents will develop skills to help them present their research in English withclarity and confidence. The first part of the course, students will learn about two
types of presentations: (1) Problem-Solution Speech; and (2) A researchpresentation. In class students will analyse and discuss sample presentations andlearn useful techniques and language. In the second part, students will make apresentation based an aspect of their research (or published research). This will
involve applying skills and knowledge that they have learnt in both courses.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given tostudents based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate schools
can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee enrollment.
• After week 2, if there is space, students from other graduate schools can enroll.
Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on TWINS will begiven priority.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for taking this course. In the Fall semester, Academic
Presentations 2 builds on knowledge and skills learnt in Academic Presentations 1.

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on
1. attendance and participation
2. submission of presentation scripts and videos
3. in-class presentations
4. written self-reflection on presentations

English in classClasses will be conducted in English.

Academic Speaking 1 (0AL0008 / 0AL0009)
Course Description (Spring 2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video https://vimeo.com/524568624
Course code

2nd period – 0AL0008 / 02CA111* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Credit 1
3rd period - 0AL0009 / 02CA115*

Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Level PhD / Master's

Term (module) / Fall AB
day / period(1) Thursday 2nd period (0AL0008)(2) Thursday 3rd period (0AL0009)
Class size is limited to 24 students.
Room

2nd period - SB0108; 3rd period - ZOOM

Course aims /overview

This course aims to help students improve their speaking skills for communicating
in both academic and general contexts. Each lesson is based around a written text orvideo related a current general science topic (e.g. vaccines, space exploration,robotics, artificial intelligence). Students will learn related vocabulary, practice a
selected language function or form and discuss the topic in groups. While the course
integrates all four skills areas (speaking, listening, reading and writing), there is astronger focus on speaking. Each week students will record and submit a spokenhomework assignment related to the topic studied in class.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given tostudents based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate schools
can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee enrollment.
• After week 2, if there is space, students from other graduate schools can enroll.
Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on TWINS will begiven priority.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on
1. attendance and participation
2. written / spoken homework tasks
3. in-class quizzes

English in classClasses will be conducted in English.

Academic Speaking 2 (0AL0010 / 0AL0011)
Course Description (Fall 2022)
Instructor

Neil Millar

Emailmillar.neil.gm[at]u.tsukuba.ac.jp

OfficeSB0807

Office hour

Please send an email to arrange a convenient time.

Orientation video https://vimeo.com/524568624
Course code

2nd period – 0AL0010 / 02CA112* (*pre-2019 enrollment)
Credit 1
3rd period - 0AL0011 / 02CA116*

Field

English for Academic Purposes

TypeSeminar

Level PhD / Master's

Term (module) / Fall AB
day / period(1) Thursday 2nd period (0AL0010)(2) Thursday 3rd period (0AL0011) – if (1) is full.
Class size is limited to 24 students.
RoomTBA

Course aims /overview

This course aims to help students develop academic skills that they will need whenstudying in English. The lessons are based around general (but non-specialised)
academic themes, including health and medicine, science and robots, alternative
energy and genetic engineering. The course integrates all four skills areas (speaking,listening, reading and writing), with a stronger focus on speaking. Each week
students will record and submit a spoken homework assignment related to the topic
studied in class.

Enrollment

To enroll, please sign up on TWINS and come to first class. Priority will be given tostudents based on the following criteria.
• During the first two weeks, priority will be given to students from Systems andInformation Engineering. During this time, students from other graduate schools
can register and attend class. However, this does not guarantee enrollment.
• After week 2, if there is space, students from other graduate schools can enroll.
Students who attended the first two classes and are enrolled on TWINS will begiven priority.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Auditing

Students are welcome to audit the course as space permits. Please attend all classes.

Set text

Materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on
1. attendance and participation
2. written / spoken homework tasks
3. in-class quizzes

English in classClasses will be conducted in English.

Course schedule
Spring AB 2022-23-

AP1 – Academic Presentations 1 (2nd period - SB0108; 3rd period - ZOOM)
ITW – Introductory Technical Writing (5th and 6th periods - ZOOM)
AS1 – Academic Speaking 1 (2nd period - SB0108; 3rd period - ZOOM)ATW – Advanced Technical Writing (5th and 6th periods - SB0108)

MonthMon

TueWedThu

Fri
1April456781112131415ASATW

181920AP
ITW

2526322ASATW

27AP
ITW

2212829ASATW

456AP
ITW

91011AP
ITW

May

16172413AS
ATW

18AP
ITW

23121920ASATW

252627AS
ATW

30311APITW

67June148211528AP
ITW

101617AS
ATW

22AP
ITW

279ASATWAP
ITW203ASATWAP
ITW13223ASATW

293024

Course schedule
Fall AB 2022-23-

AP1 – Academic Presentations 1 (2nd period OR 3rd period*)
ITW – Introductory Technical Writing (5th and 6th periods)
AS1 – Academic Speaking 1 (2nd period OR 3rd period*)
ATW – Advanced Technical Writing (5th and 6th periods)*3rd period classes will only take place if 2nd period is oversubscribedMonthMon
3Tue4Wed
5AP
ITW

101117181225

191131420

21

ASATW

26

AP
ITW

31

7ASATW

AP
ITW

24

6Fri

ASATW

AP
ITW

October

Thu

27

28

ASATW

2349

10

1116

1718

AP
ITW

78ASATW

14November

15AP
ITW

2122ASATW

23AP
ITW

28292425

ASATW3012ASATW

567AP
ITW

12December

1320

9ASATW

14APITW

1981516ASATW

212223282930AP
ITW

2627