Summary: Dear Class, Please check your messages in Web Class and in your Homework Doc for your personalized message with what you should do in class today. I will be in the hallway before class for any questions until 10:15, and then I will return from 11:40. In the meantime, the Saitama University Community will check in on our class from time to time. A teacher or a member of the administration might drop by and say hello. To start the communication session, you will work in pairs to discuss the causes… Read More

Summary: The students learned more about Modern Language Association (MLA) formatting and the Works Cited page. Then, the class collaboratively confirmed the steps of the research process: key terms in academic writing, narrowing a research topic, finding reliable, solid research material, and taking useful notes. IELTS Speaking Practice Test Booking Schedule for Stacey’s ACS1a Class (The meeting place is in Stacey’s Office/Vye’s Kenkyushitsu on the same floor as the ERC): Late students, please email me to book five times and the dates you are free. This is like your midterm, so you need the… Read More

MLA Style Center Summary: We worked on gathering research for your upcoming final academic presentation in July, where you get to choose what you would like to communicate in each class and present to your classmates, and how to do MLA formatting. Wednesday, May 27th, 2026: 4:00 Thursday, May 28th, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” -Anaïs Nin Documents… Read More

Summary: You tried the IELTS practice writing test, and the students checked their answers. Your teacher will check your answers and provide your score during Communication Session 06. IELTS Speaking Practice Test Booking Schedule for Stacey’s ACS1a Class (The meeting place is in Stacey’s Office/Vye’s Kenkyushitsu on the same floor as the ERC): Tuesday, May 19th, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 Wednesday, May 20th, 2026: 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 Thursday, May 21st, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 Monday, May 25th, 2026: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 Tuesday, May 26th, 2026: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00,… Read More

Summary: Today, we focused on discussing your first Cambridge English Write & Improve essay in pairs with individual support from the teacher: Writing Academic English at Saitama University: The reasons you are taking this Academic Essay Writing (AEW1) course Please use these question prompts to help you with a 200-250-word essay.​What kind of academic essay writing have you done so far in English?What is puzzling for you about academic essay writing (i.e., what questions do you have about academic writing)? Which writing concepts/skills do you most want to develop this semester? Why? How? Please explain… Read More

Summary: You tried the IELTS practice reading test, and the students checked their answers. Your teacher will check your answers and provide your score during Communication Session 05. For Stacey Vye’s Sessions, some students booked a time outside class to do a speaking test. Homework is due at 1 p.m., one day before Session 05: This homework is enjoyable and ongoing as your four-skills logs of self-study on the English subjects within the Free Rice Programme. Please get 4,000 points this semester. I recommend you finish your Free Rice Homework by Session 05… Read More

Summary: You took the IELTS practice listening test provided by your teacher and reviewed the answers afterward. Your teacher will check your answers and provide your score during Session_04. Homework is due at 1 p.m., one day before Session_04: This homework is enjoyable and ongoing as your four-skills logs of self-study on the English subjects within the Free Rice Programme. Please get 4,000 points this semester: Free Rice: The World Food Programme of the United Nations!We can fight climate change, feed hungry children and families for free, and learn English, too! Freerice.com: This… Read More

Summary: You won the class lottery, congratulations! First, we got your online homework uploading sorted. Then I introduced you to language proficiency testing, mostly IELTS and a little TOEFL. Time permitting, we had a communication activity of what you shared in common or IELTS practice. Finally, we discussed the homework below. Homework is due at 1 p.m., one day before Session_03: This homework is enjoyable and ongoing as your four-skills logs of self-study on the English subjects within the Free Rice Programme. Please get 4,000 points this semester: Free Rice: The World Food… Read More

Summary: There was a course orientation that explained the documents below, including what is expected of you in our sessions, your homework, how to do well, and how to improve your English writing skills the most in this course. Lastly, an introduction to the IELTS test was presented: IELTS Presentation_ACS1_Sessions 01-04Download How will your grade be calculated?  Homework (40%) IELTS Practice Midterm (20%) -The goal is a 6.5 score, not a 9.0! MLA Academic Presentation (20%) Class Participation (20%)    Total = 100%  Finally, we discussed the homework below. Homework is due at 1 p.m., one… Read More

Summary: Happy New Year! There were no make-up presentations, so the class merely did the course surveys. Those who joined for class 13 did their surveys remotely. I hope you have a wonderful break!