What is AWADE?
Introduced in April of 2017, Academic Writing and Discussion in English (AWADE) is an intensive program aimed at helping non-native English users quickly improve their ability to communicate in academic English. To do this, we will help you identify the differences between conversational and academic English, learn how to present your ideas in a clear and convincing manner, and provide you with plenty of opportunities to use your new knowledge in academic discussions and writing tasks. The main AWADE program is divided into two paired courses (Alpha and Beta) in addition to an advanced course aimed at helping students prepare to write their undergraduate thesis in English (Undergraduate Thesis Writing). You are encouraged to register for all courses.
Throughout the Alpha quarter, you will learn how to organize your writing to create coherent and cohesive texts. To help you practice these skills, you will write 3 different styles of academic essays on a range of topics. After each essay draft, you will get feedback from a variety of sources that you can use to further improve your knowledge and skills before submitting the final draft.
Throughout the Beta quarter (an intermediate-level course) you will learn how to write a more challenging research paper and prepare an associated oral presentation. As with Alpha, you can use various sources of feedback to improve your writing before submitting the final draft. To help you write an appropriate academic research paper, you will be taught important components of academic writing, such as the correct use of academic citations and references.
The most advanced course in the AWADE lineup is our recently introduced Undergraduate Thesis writing. Throughout this course, you will learn how to prepare for the process of writing your undergraduate thesis. To help you successfully complete this major task, you will write a thesis proposal and prepare an academic presentation that clearly explains your research goals. This course is targeted at students who have not yet begun working on their thesis but would like to be as prepared as possible for when they begin.
Although primarily a writing program, we also aim to provide you with opportunities to engage in discussions with your classmates and instructor on various subjects of importance. Through the combination of these experiences, you will see your level of academic English advance as you become more comfortable expressing yourself in English. For anyone thinking of studying abroad, AWADE is a crucial program that will let you prepare for this exciting and challenging experience. For those who simply want to work on their academic English ability in a challenging and supportive atmosphere, this is the perfect chance to improve your academic language skills.
Main benefits of AWADE
- Small class sizes
- Helpful and targeted feedback opportunities
- Collaborative environment
- Students from all departments and levels are welcome
AWADE α (14 classes / 1 quarter—Spring/Fall)
- Essay organization and structure
- Coherence and cohesion
- Academic style
- Discussion
AWADE β (14 classes / 1 quarter—Summer/Winter)
- Referencing, citing, paraphrasing
- Research skills
- Presentation skills
- Discussion
AWADE Undergraduate Thesis Writing (14 classes / 1 quarter—Fall/Winter)
- Findings and evaluating academic sources
- Critically reviewing the literature
- Presenting your findings and highlighting their value
- Thesis proposal
FAQ
Q1. I’m interested in AWADE and wondering what level of English it requires (e.g., specific TOEIC score or level of General Tutorial English).
AWADE does not set any minimum level of English as a requirement. In discussions and other activities, AWADE teachers will encourage students to cooperate with each other regardless of their English level and give all the necessary help to do so. Thanks to small class sizes and personal feedback from your teacher, we assume all Waseda students can benefit from AWADE. No matter your current level of English, you are encouraged to take AWADE.
Q2. What kinds of topics do the writing tasks and discussions deal with? What are their styles?
Throughout AWADE α and β, you will be required to submit three essays and one research paper. The essays focus on expository, comparison, and argument styles of writing. The essays will be about familiar and interesting topics important to current society. In-class discussions will be mostly about subjects related to the essays. Each student can choose their own topic for the research paper and is expected to make an associated presentation.
Q3. I am thinking about studying abroad. What are the advantages of taking AWADE for me?
AWADE α and β function as preparatory courses for studying abroad. Foreign universities often use longer writing assignments, such as essays and research papers, as well as presentations to evaluate your performance. AWADE gives you the chance to practice these kinds of assignments in a fun and supportive atmosphere before leaving Japan (the final assignment of AWADE β is approximately 1,500 words and will go through at least 3 drafts). After completing AWADE α and β, you will be ready to complete your academic assignments in foreign universities, write clearer and more convincing academic English, and become more confident in your ability to succeed overseas.
Q4. I am planning to write my undergraduate thesis in English. When should I register for the AWADE thesis writing course?
To get the most benefit, students are encouraged to take this course at the end of their third, or the beginning of their fourth, year of study. Ideally, you should register in Undergraduate Thesis Writing once you have started to consider topics for your thesis and are ready to begin working on your research. This course is not well suited to students who have already written substantial portions of their thesis and would like someone to edit their work.
Message from the coordinator
People often assume that using a language is all about correct grammar and vocabulary. However, to communicate effectively, appropriate organization, structure, and support are all crucial. These are the aspects we focus on in AWADE. My goal in this program is to show students how to present their ideas in a clear and convincing manner so that they can not only succeed in their academic life but also in their future roles as global citizens. In class, students are given plenty of chances to practice important concepts and approaches that will lead to more confidence in their ability to effectively express themselves. Although this is primarily a writing course, the focus is on effective communication and cooperation. After taking AWADE courses, I want students to feel confident communicating and collaborating in English with people around the world so that they can contribute to the improvement of society on an international scale.
