From Non-communicative Exercises to Technical Writing:

A two-semester course in English composition offered in a Japanese university is described. The course is designed to transition students from minimal skills in communicative writing at program entry to a course in field-specific technical writing by exposing students to several writing genres. Key activities of the course include pre- and post-course essays, journal writing, weekly rewriting assignments, and end-of-semester portfolios. Students ' perceptions of the course and its activities have been very positive. Possible concerns, responses, and future adaptations in the course are discussed, including the validity of pre- and post-course measures, classroom time organization, course scheduling and relationship to other courses, and issues of classroom technique. Contains 14 references. (MSE) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Ofirl'OfEcirJarticZIFVe4e; VicILI=Ten