English I

English I provides a foundational understanding of English language skills, literary exploration, and effective communication techniques, preparing students for advanced studies.

 

Key Course Objectives:

  • Foundational Language Skills: Master core communication skills including reading, writing, listening, and speaking to build a strong foundation in English.
  • Literary Analysis: Explore various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama while learning to critically interpret and discuss key themes, contexts, and structures.
  • Writing Proficiency: Develop clear and effective writing, focusing on sentence construction, essay structure, grammar, and vocabulary, tailored to different audiences and purposes.
  • Communication Development: Enhance listening and speaking abilities, with an emphasis on presentations, collaborative discussions, and persuasive communication.
  • Research and Digital Literacy: Strengthen research skills and digital literacy, helping students become more effective learners in the modern world.

 

By the end of this course, students will be well-prepared for the challenges of university-level writing and critical thinking, as well as future academic and professional pursuits.

Semester 1 (0.5 credits)

  • Understand, identify, and analyze different literary genres: short stories, novels, poetry, and drama.
  • Identify and analyze key literary elements such as plot, character, setting, theme, tone, and point of view in a given work.
  • Analyze the use of figurative language including simile, metaphor, personification, and symbolism in literature.
  • Practice critical reading skills to interpret and understand complex literary texts.
  • Develop a personal response and interpretation of various literary works.
  • Compare and contrast the styles of different authors and genres.
  • Appreciate the role of cultural and historical context in literature.
  • Form written and verbal arguments about a text using evidence from the text itself.

  • Understand and practice the steps of the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
  • Develop a clear and focused thesis statement for essay writing.
  • Produce well-structured persuasive and argumentative essays with clear support and evidence.
  • Experiment with creative writing styles through narrative and descriptive essays.
  • Correctly use in-text citations and references to avoid plagiarism.
  • Practice proofreading and editing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
  • Assess, revise, and improve their own writing based on feedback from peers and teachers.
  • Utilize a variety of sentence structures and rhetorical devices to enhance writing.

  • Understand the basic principles of effective public speaking, including organization, tone, and delivery.
  • Develop and present persuasive and informative speeches.
  • Practice impromptu speaking and learn strategies to handle nervousness.
  • Learn to use voice projection, pitch, speed, and body language effectively in public speaking.
  • Develop active listening skills and provide constructive feedback to peers.
  • Engage in group discussions and debates using respectful and effective communication strategies.
  • Analyze and critique public speeches and presentations, understanding the power of rhetoric and persuasive techniques.
  • Utilize digital tools or visual aids to enhance presentations.

Semester 2 (0.5 credits)

  • Understand the importance of diverse perspectives in literature.
  • Explore literature from varying cultural, social, and historical contexts.
  • Analyze how authors’ background and context can impact their writing.
  • Compare and contrast diverse narratives and themes in literature.
  • Develop perspective-taking skills and empathy through engagement with diverse texts.
  • Investigate how themes of power, identity, and social justice emerge in literature.
  • Reflect on and discuss personal responses to diverse texts in thoughtful and respectful ways.
  • Critically examine representation and diversity in literature.