As English I may be the last required course for most students on their journey of learning English, this class is designed with the main purpose of cultivating students’ future capability of independent study and functionable use of the language, particularly with respect to reading (and, to a lesser degree, listening). Thus as many types of reading (and listening) materials as possible—such as the latest news reports (on all kinds of topics), argumentative essays, literary works (mostly short stories), etc.—will be covered in the class, always with the emphasis on developing essential reading (and listening) skills and realizing what would be required for an adequate comprehension of the materials at hand. Although there will still be a certain degree of training on speaking and writing skills, students more interested in training themselves in these two skills (especially the former) are advised to enroll in other classes that are more purposefully devoted to them.