Course Syllabus — 2026–2027
Fujidea Culture Center /藤枝市文化センター
Instructor: Richard Pavonarius (Starfish English)
Contact: starfishfujieda@gmail.com
Class: Fridays, 10:00–11:30
Room: Fujidea Culture Center (as assigned)
Sessions: 20 lessons + 1 makeup
Course Overview / コース概要
This course is designed for advanced adult learners of English. Each 90-minute session builds on your existing conversational ability through structured discussion, storytelling, negotiation, and role-play activities. The goal is not to teach new grammar rules — you already know the rules. The goal is to use English more fluently, more naturally, and with greater confidence in real situations.
このコースは、英語の上級者を対象とした会話コースです。毎回90分の授業では、ディスカッション、ストーリーテリング、交渉、ロールプレイなど、様々な活動を通じて会話力を高めます。文法を一から学ぶのではなく、すでに身についている英語力をより自然に、より自信をもって使えるようにすることを目指します。
What You Can Expect / 授業の流れ
Every lesson follows a consistent three-part structure:
毎回の授業は、以下の3つのパートで構成されています。
Part 1 — Warm-Up (about 8 minutes) / ウォームアップ
A short activity to get you speaking English right away. We reconnect, share something brief, and get our minds into English mode.
すぐに英語を話せるよう、短いアクティビティから始めます。近況報告や一言シェアなど、英語モードに切り替える時間です。
Part 2 — Main Activities (about 40 minutes) / メインアクティビティ
Three distinct activities centered on the day’s topic. These may include mingling with classmates, storytelling, ranking tasks, role-plays, debates, or games — all designed to create genuine English communication, not translation practice.
その日のテーマを中心とした3つのアクティビティを行います。クラスメートとの交流、ストーリーテリング、順位付け、ロールプレイ、ディベート、ゲームなど、さまざまな形式で本物のコミュニケーションを実践します。
Part 3 — Wrap-Up and Reflection (about 15 minutes) / ラップアップ
We review the language patterns that came up during the lesson. You will also complete a short exit ticket — a few written questions to reflect on what you learned and what you would like to explore next.
授業中に出てきた表現や言語パターンを振り返ります。また、退出チケット（exit ticket）と呼ばれる短い記入用紙に答えていただきます。学んだことの確認と、次回のリクエストに使います。
Can-Do Skill Rotation / Can-Do スキルローテーション
Over the course of the year, lessons rotate across four communicative skill areas:
年間を通じて、4つのコミュニケーション領域を順番に取り上げます。
| Skill Area | What It Means | Example Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion & Discussion | Sharing views, justifying choices, reaching consensus | Debates, ranking tasks, moral dilemmas |
| Narrative | Telling stories, sequencing events, describing the past | Hot Seat, Alibi game, storytelling |
| Transactional | Getting things done in language, handling real situations | Role-plays, surveys, problem-solving |
| Descriptive | Painting a picture in words, describing people and places | Backs to the Board, Just a Minute |
No single area dominates the year. If you find yourself stronger in one area, that is useful information — we can pay attention to it.
Session Schedule / 授業スケジュール
Topics are planned in advance but may shift based on student requests or current events. The Can-Do skill category for each session is fixed to ensure balanced skill development across the year.
トピックは事前に計画されていますが、リクエストや時事ネタに合わせて変更することがあります。ただし、各回のCan-Doスキル区分は年間バランスを保つために固定しています。
| # | Date | Skill Area | Suggested Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 24, 2026 | Opinion & Discussion | Welcome Back — Getting to Know Each Other Again |
| 2 | May 15 | Narrative | A Weekend You Remember |
| 3 | May 29 | Transactional | Handling Unexpected Situations |
| 4 | Jun 12 | Descriptive | Places & Spaces |
| 5 | Jun 26 | Opinion & Discussion | Life Priorities / What Matters Most |
| 6 | Jul 10 | Narrative | Summer Plans / Travel Stories |
| 7 | Jul 24 | Transactional | Navigating Service Encounters |
| 8 | Aug 21 | Opinion & Discussion | Technology & Modern Life |
| 9 | Sep 4 | Descriptive | Autumn Impressions / The Seasons |
| 10 | Sep 18 | Narrative | A Moment That Changed Things |
| 11 | Oct 2 | Transactional | Giving & Following Instructions |
| 12 | Oct 16 | Opinion & Discussion | Japanese Culture & Identity |
| 13 | Oct 30 | Narrative | Autumn / Unusual Stories |
| 14 | Nov 13 | Descriptive | People & Personality |
| 15 | Nov 27 | Transactional | Problem-Solving Conversations |
| 16 | Dec 11 | Opinion & Discussion | Year in Review / Reflections |
| 17 | Jan 8, 2027 | Narrative | New Year Stories / Traditions |
| 18 | Jan 22 | Descriptive | Dreams & Aspirations |
| 19 | Feb 5 | Transactional | Planning & Arranging |
| 20 | Feb 19 | Opinion & Discussion | Looking Back / Looking Forward |
| M | Feb 26 | TBD | Makeup lesson (if needed) |
Class Norms / クラスのルール
English only during activities.
During the main activities, please use only English — even when it is difficult or imperfect. Struggling in English is how you improve. Japanese is welcome during warm-up and wrap-up.
アクティビティ中は英語のみ使用してください。難しくても、完璧でなくても大丈夫です。英語で悩むことが、上達への道です。ウォームアップとラップアップでは日本語も歓迎します。
Mistakes are welcome.
Errors are a natural part of learning. I will note errors during activities and address them afterward — never in the middle of your speaking. No names will be used when reviewing errors as a class.
間違いは学習の一部です。アクティビティ中のエラーはメモしておき、後でまとめてフィードバックします。発言の途中で訂正することはありませんし、クラスでのフィードバック時にも名前は使いません。
Attendance.
With only 20 sessions in the year, each class matters. If you cannot attend, no need to inform me in advance — Fujieda Culture Center handles scheduling. But do make use of the blog post for each lesson (sent by email before class) to stay connected with the topic.
年間20回しかないため、一回一回が大切です。欠席の際は藤枝文化センターまでご連絡ください。事前に授業内容のブログ記事をメールでお送りしますので、ぜひご一読ください。
Requests are encouraged.
If you have a topic you would like to study, write it on your exit ticket or tell me before or after class. I track all requests and work them into the schedule when possible.
リクエストは大歓迎です。取り上げてほしいトピックがあれば、退出チケットに書くか、授業前後に直接お声がけください。すべてリストに記録し、できる限りスケジュールに組み込みます。
Exit Tickets / 退出チケット
At the end of every lesson, you will answer four short questions on a printed card. This takes about five minutes.
毎回の授業の終わりに、印刷されたカードに4つの質問に答えていただきます。所要時間は約5分です。
The four questions are always the same:
- What did you talk about today?
- What new word or expression do you want to remember?
- Is there a topic you would like to try in a future lesson?
- How was today’s level for you? Too easy / Just right / A bit difficult
Your answers help shape future lessons. Topic suggestions go directly into the planning tracker.
回答内容は次回以降の授業に活かします。トピックのリクエストは計画表に直接反映します。
Materials / 教材
No textbook is required. All materials are prepared by the instructor and provided in class or by email in advance.
テキストは不要です。すべての教材は講師が作成し、授業中または事前にメールでお渡しします。
You may want to bring:
- A notebook or notepad
- A pen
- Your curiosity
ご用意いただけると良いもの：ノート・ペン・好奇心
Advanced English Conversation — Fujidea Culture Center — 2026–2027
Instructor: Richard Pavonarius — starfishfujieda@gmail.com
