This is a distance learning course designed to help undergraduate and graduate students develop fundamental strategies for reading English academic texts more effectively and critically. Reading assignments, practice and activities will explore a variety of English language materials, such as news articles, academic articles, opinions and commentaries across disciplines.

The texts will cover topics related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to address a wide range of social and global issues ranging from poverty to climate change. Topics covered will include comprehension, vocabulary enrichment, close-reading analysis and critical reflection. All the activities and group projects are intended to foster students’ metacognitive awareness of reading and analytical skills. On completion of this course, students will not only develop effective reading skills, but more importantly, grow as proficient and critical readers, while also gaining a better awareness of global issues.

The course will consist of three modules. Each module will cover a set of topics and lessons related to active English reading and comprehension strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, and practical strategies for connecting reading and writing. This course will be offered 3 hours a week for 18 weeks in total, including a 2-hour physical on-site class meeting and 1-hour online.

 Introductory Module provides an overview of the course, including course re-quirements, policies and student responsibilities.
 Module 1: Reading for Meaning introduces fundamental reading strategies: acti-vating, comprehension, review and reflection, critical thinking
 Module 2: Reading Critically in a Diverse World explores diverse perspectives and global issues through the reading of various genres (narratives, news articles, commentary and opinions, and academic/scientific texts).
 Module 3: Reading to Write presents key elements and techniques that guide students to use their critical reading skills to write effectively.