Reading and Writing – Fundamental Level 4

Curriculum guideline

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Course
ENGU 0146
Discontinued
No
Course code
ENGU 0146
Descriptive
Reading and Writing – Fundamental Level 4
Department
English Upgrading
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
6.00
Start date
End term
202130
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
14
Contact hours
8 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Learning activities

A combination of different instructional methods will be used in order to balance instructional efficiency with individual student needs.  Small group instruction, individual assistance (in lab tutorial or scheduled appointments) and student directed learning will be selected where appropriate and possible.  Collaborative learning will be encouraged.

Course description
This is an integrated reading and writing course. It is designed for students who need to develop and improve basic skills with composing and comprehending written texts and with meeting the demands of a college classroom. The course focuses on reading and writing as processes and attention is given to spelling and vocabulary development. Assignments and exercises include attention to current events and issues relevant to the students' lives. Attention is given to learning and study skills throughout the course
Course content

Reading

  • pre-reading and reflecting on written passages
  • beginning to recognize different purposes for reading
  • improving self-monitoring for comprehension
  • identifying subject, main idea, detail, sequence, fact and opinionand cause and effect of a short passage
  • answering comprehension questions based on text
  • summarizing longer passages
  • analyzing characters in short stories and in a novel
  • differentiating between literal and inferential meaning
  • drawing conclusions
  • expressing and supporting opinions about text
  • using a dictionary
  • actively building new vocabulary
  • recognizing and using antonyms, synonyms and homonyms
  • continuing  to learn and remember new words
  • expanding the use of context clues
  • increasing use of and integrating word attack strategies

Writing

  • generating and organizing ideas for writing
  • using paragraph form:  topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion
  • writing short narrative and descriptive paragraphs
  • revising with help
  • proofreading and editing
  • identifying subjects and verbs in simple sentences and using modifiers effectively
  • writing complete simple and compound sentences
  • using commas in a series and in compound sentences
  • using consistent verb tense
  • correctly using most irregular verbs
  • using capitals at the beginning of sentences and for proper nouns
  • using appropriate end punctuation
  • completing a variety of forms and documents
  • using dictionary and thesaurus for spelling and meaning
  • using compound words, contractions, possessives and plurals
  • using rules for adding affixes

Skills and Strategies for Classroom Learning

  • setting short and long term learninggoals
  • working independently
  • attending to and participating in group discussion and activities
  • moving on to other tasks while waiting for help
  • providing and receiving help from classmates in a cooperative manner
  • communicating respectfully with instructors andclassmates
  • using time-management skills to meet assigned deadlines and complete homework
  • employing strategies for learning and remembering
  • continuing to develop awareness of personal learning strengths

Computer Skills

  • using word processing skills to complete assigned writing
  • improving basic word processing skills, including formatting paragraphs, changing fonts, margins and line spacing
Learning outcomes

The aims of the course are for students to:

Reading:

  1. continue to develop word reading skills;
  2. develop specific strategies to improve reading comprehension;
  3. enlarge vocabulary to fulfill reading needs;
  4. increase background knowledge by developing awareness of current topics and concerns;               
  5. improve ability to orally present information obtained from reading. 

Writing:

  1. develop confidence and enjoyment from personal writing activities;
  2. gain knowledge of and experience using the processes of writing;                            
  3. improve construction of multi-sentences;                                                                      
  4. improve competency in constructing sentences;
  5. improve awareness and control of the conventions of standard written English;
  6. improve awareness and control of the degree of formality suitable for different writing tasks;
  7. demonstrate growth in ability to produce written communication that expresses personal feeling and ideas;
  8. demonstrate growth in ability to write for different purposes and for various audiences.

Skills and Strategies for Classroom Learning:

  1. improve goal setting and time management
  2. develop personal learning strategies
  3. demonstrate growth an ability to work independently
  4. improve communication skills

 Computer Skills:

  1. improve basic word processing skills
Means of assessment

A mastery model of on-going evaluation will be used. A student will have completed the course when he/she has demonstrated through satisfactory completion of exercises and assignments that the course objectives have been achieved.

Progress will be monitored on a regular basis by the instructor in consultation with each student.

The student will be expected to maintain regular attendance and progress and to undertake independent learning as directed. Regular feedback and informal progress reports will be available from the instructor.

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Students must supply a three-ring binder, paper, pen and pencil.

All other materials will be available on loan from the instructor when needed.

Prerequisites

ENGU 0125 or permission of instructor

Which prerequisite

ENGU 0156