National Institute of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology

(NIPTICT)
Language Support Unit
From

Teachers of English

To

Year 1 students, Group A-Semester 1, Room: 103&104

Subject

English Course Description and Assessment

Date

3rd November, 2014

A. DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
English course for year 1 semester 1, students meet THREE HOURS a week for 15 weeks (Monday:
8:40-11:35AM). The focus of the course is on developing and strengthening your four language skills
such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You will read and listen to materials which are about
lives and work in different countries, using general topics, which are common in everyday life. For
example, you need to talk about yourself, your studies, daily activities, the way people live, the cities
where people live and so on. As you listen to or read about these topics, you need to think about how
to respond appropriately in English.
You will be studying 4 units for this semester:
In unit 1, youll practice interviewing classmates and talking about yourself. For grammar, you will
learn about auxiliary verbs and practice making questions using WH Questions. You will discuss,
listen to and take notes about best friend. Also, you will read about Blind Date. In addition, you will
practice using mono or bilingual dictionary.
In unit 2, you will practice writing using linking words, speaking by asking questions, and discussing
about living abroad and living at night. In addition, you will listen to a radio program about night
workers. There is a reading about two homes in different countries. You will learn and practice Present
Simple and Present Continuous.
In unit 3, youll learn about Past Simple and Past Continuous. You will learn some adverbs and past
form of verbs. You will read and listen to an extract from The Man with the Golden Gun. Youll be
asked to tell a story in which you can practice using adverbs.
In unit 4, youll learn some words expressing quantity, countable and uncountable noun, articles and
some terms about food and everyday objects. Youll listen to three people talk about things they have
bought on eBay, and you will work in group and talk about going shopping in P.P. Moreover, you will
read an article about Markets around the world. Youll also practice writing a postcard in this unit.
** In addition to these units in New Headway, you will be studying Grammar and Mechanics from
First Step in Academic Writing

B. ASSESSMENT AND EXAMS

1. Attendance and class Participation

10%

2. Homework

10%

3. A writing paper about a topic and a follow-up presentation

4. Mid-term exam

20%

5. Final Examination

40%

10% + 10%

C. REQUIRED TEXTS
Your teacher will lend you textbook which you will have to make a copy and be ready for the
following week.

D. WRITING ASSIGNMENT AND PREPARATION FOR PRESENTATION

For your assignment
1. Youll have to work with a partner (a group of two students) you will have to pick-up lucky
draw to fine your partner and turn
2. You will have to search information about the topic on the internet
3. Each group will have to choose one of the suggested topics below
4. Your assignment will be a booklet (of A4 printed paper) which has a cover page (Niptict logo
assignment topic, all names of the group members, your teachers full name, and the academic
year)
5. You will give the presentation of your topic in week 10 after you have completed your written
paper. The group has to give a short presentation of 8mn to the classmates during class
session. Every member in the group has to give a talk
6. In your presentation, you should have visual support (make a poster or use LCD)
7. Below are suggested topics:
a. Culture of China (eating, dressing, celebrating)
b. Educational System of
America
.
c. Biography of . (Famous people: writer scientist)

Note: personal matters, politics, corruption, jokes or funny stories are not allowed.

Lets work together to have an enjoyable and productive semester!