【授業紹介】Seminar / Prof. Nugent

What if an English class could help you improve your communication skills and understand yourself more deeply?

In the EAGL Department’s Junior and Senior Seminar course, “Journaling for Self-Expression and Self-Discovery,”students use English to explore their thoughts, values, goals, and dreams while developing practical communication skills for university life and beyond.

More than just a writing class

Journaling has been used for centuries by people seeking inspiration, creativity, and self-understanding. Leonardo da Vinci filled notebooks with ideas and sketches, while Anne Frank famously wrote:

“I can shake everything off when I write, my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”

In this seminar, students discover that journaling is not simply about keeping a diary. It is a way to build a stronger relationship with yourself and your own thinking. Through guided activities, discussions, presentations, and collaborative work, students learn to:

• Express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions in English
• Understand their beliefs and values more clearly
• Set meaningful goals for the future
• Develop confidence in speaking and communicating with others
• Reflect on what makes life rich and meaningful

The seminars focus on themes that will directly contribute to students building a happy future life.

Junior Seminar I: Building Healthy Habits

• Stress, mental health and exercise
• Diet and nutrition
• Feelings, emotions and moods
• Money management
• Weekly planning
• SMART goals
• Success
• Mind over matter
• Paying it forward

Junior Seminar II: Confidence and Resilience

• Courage and confidence
• Sleep, exercise, nutrition
• Friends
• Comfort zones
• What I can control
• Being authentic
• Fears
• Fitting in
• Resilience
• Overcoming adversity
• Self-talk
• Personal identity

Senior Seminar I: Future Focussed

• SMART goals
• Thinking traps
• Metacognition (about thinking)
• Future me
• Law of Attraction
• Vision boards
• Reframing
• Overcoming obstacles
• Valuable Advice

Senior Seminar II focusses on the final project, which is to write and publish a self-help booklet for university freshers. Not only does this require students to pull together the learning and insights they have gained throughout the course, but it gives them a collaborative project to take with them after graduation.

A safe and supportive environment

One of the most important aspects of the seminar is the classroom atmosphere. Students are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and communicate without fear of making mistakes.

• “I learned a lot about myself and gained a deeper understanding of who I am. Because I got to know myself better, I was able to use that self-awareness during my job search. The class was very easy to understand, and the pair activities helped me feel relaxed and comfortable. Journaling has had a very positive impact on my life.” (I M-san)
• “My favorite part of this seminar was exploring topics related to my future, such as Future Me, vision boards, and the Law of Attraction. Writing about my dreams and ideal life in English made my goals much clearer and kept me highly motivated.” (YM-san)
• “This semester’s zemi class was very meaningful for me. I was able to think deeply about myself and my future. I also liked that we had many chances to talk with our classmates and teacher. It made the class more enjoyable and interesting.”(HM-san)
• “What I love about this seminar is that it’s primarily conversation-based, which allows me to share my own ideas and incorporate new perspectives from others. It’s a safe environment where I don’t have to be afraid to speak English.” (HM-san)
• “Through this seminar, I have learned to think more carefully about what I can do to make my life richer and more meaningful.” (TM-san)
• “This has been the best junior seminar I have ever taken. Our professor consistently teaches us valuable life lessons, specifically how to be true to ourselves and how to achieve our goals without unnecessary stress.” (WD-san)
• 「このセミナーでは自分自身をより深く知り、QOLをより向上させることができます。知らなかった自分の価値観や考え方を知り、新しい価値観、考え方を習得し、自分のこれから進む道の選択肢に繋げることができます。」 (FR-san)
• 「このゼミでは毎授業のテーマについて、クラスの人と一緒に自分の考えを深掘りしていきます。自己理解も深まるので、就職活動での自己分析に役立つと思います。」(TK-san)

For many students, university is a time of discovering who they are and what they want to do in the future. This seminar supports that journey while helping you to build practical English skills.

Students do not simply memorize vocabulary or grammar. They learn how to:

• Talk about their experiences and opinions
• Discuss important social and personal topics
• Work collaboratively with classmates
• Give presentations
• Think critically about their future
• Develop confidence using English in real situations

The EAGL Department aims to help students become confident global communicators. In Journaling for Self-Expression and Self-Discovery, English becomes a tool not only for communication, but also for reflection, goal setting, and personal growth.

As one student wrote, “This class is not just about learning English—it is also a wonderful place to discover your true self and plan your future with confidence.”

For students who want a university experience that combines English, self-discovery, communication, and future planning, this seminar offers a unique and meaningful opportunity.