Secondary Course (English- 202)

CURRICULUM

RATIONALE

In a pluralistic and multilingual society like ours, the place of English as a link language cannot be denied position assumes even more importance in today’s world where barriers in  communication  have  broken  down  information  technologies  have  modified  our lifestyle: we are fast moving towards a global village.

In today’s time, a learner needs to be equipped with enough English Language abilities so that he or she interact meaningfully with the wide world ahead of him.  Also to ensure that a learner is not disadvantage terms of access to further courses of study, access to avenues of knowledge and information or even job knowledge of English is required to fulfill learner needs for utility and enjoyment.

ASSUMPTIONS

In terms of the learners knowledge of English we assume: -

•     that he\she has learnt English for three years therefore, his/her linguistic abilities may be assumed to be that he\she –

•     is able to understand simple questions, instruction and directions given orally.

•     is able to answer question in English in a word or phrase.

•      is able to read and comprehend word and phrases of high frequency.

•     is able to read and comprehend short simple sentences.

•     is familiar with the use of some punctuation mark like and his possessions.

•     has a vocabulary of atleast 200-250 words.

TIME FRAME

In terms of study hours the total time frame for this course is 240 hours.  An hour wise breakup is given blew:

The learners should able to: -

-    use reading as a tool for learning*

-    give evidence of having mastered desirable habits of silent reading*

-    read in sense group*

-    read at varying speed depending the purpose of reading*

-    read (extracts from) simplified classics for pleasure*

-     understand explicitly state information on a text

-    understand information in a text, not explicitly stated, through making in inference.

-    Understand texts that the linguistically straightforward and have a clear underlying structure (e.g. chronological ordering)

-    Recognize  conceptual  meaning,  especially  quantity  and  amount,  location  and direction, comparison and degree, and cause and result.

-    Identify the main idea (or important information) and significant details in a text I that is not linguistically complex.

-    Understand relations between parts of a text through basic lexical and grammatical cohesion devices like anaphoric reference, repetition, comparison and synonym

-    Recognize discourse marks commonly used in written registers (like therefore for conclusion and however for contract)

-    Understand the communicative value (function) of sentences with explicit indicators and without explicit indicators (e.g. an interrogative that is a polite command)

-    Interpret texts by relating them to other material or the sane theme (and to own experience and knowledge).

Note: Items with * will not be tested. MODULE – WRITING SKILLS The learner should be able to: -

-    write neatly and legible

-    use spacing, capitalization, and basic marks of punctuation like the full stop, question mark and comma

-    spell familiar, frequently – used words correctly

-    use basic grammatical structures and appropriate vocabulary

-    use basic reference words like pronouns and linkers

-     organize a text coherently

-    identify the audience and select the appropriate style – formal/information

-    supply personal information on simple forms, like an application form

-    fill in forms like money order forms and railway reservation form

-     write short messages, notices, slogans or captions for a picture

-    write shore personal letters including letters of invitation, congratulation

-    write short formal letters seeking permission, have making complaints or apologizing

-    write shore narrative and descriptive paragraphs

-    edit written work and correct the more obvious errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The learner should be able to:

-    use a dictionary to find the meaning, usage and spelling of words

-    skim a text of obtain its overall idea

-    scan a text to locate specifically required information

-    understand and interpret information presented in a chart, table, graph, etc.

-    transform information contained in short, simple verbal descriptions in to tables, lines, list, charts, etc.

-    make notes and summarise.

Note: texts selected are from other subjects at Secondary level.  Texts are also drawn authentic material.

MODULE – LITERARY SKILLS

At the end of this course the learner should be able to

-    enjoy a piece of literature and the creative use of language

-    identify the literary form

-    trace the developments of events / plot/ themes etc.

-    compare and contrast characters and talk about them

-    appreciate and imbibe qualities of kindness, courage, honesty etc. by a change in attitude and develop a humane personality

-    identify literary devices (figures of speech, melody and rhythm, images etc.)

-    interpret the functions of these literary devices in a poem.

MODULE –ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE

This component comprises a) grammar and usage and b) vocabulary.  All grammar items have been selected from the text and further conceptualized for presentation and practice. Consequently the functional aspect of grammar has been highlighted.

Each new grammar item is practiced in single sentences as well as in paragraphs in the contexts.  The deference between spoken and written English is highlighted.  In spoken English for e.g. we use contracted forms and often use single words or phrases instead of complete sentences.

Grammar and Usage

1.   Parts of a sentence (subject, predicate, object)

2.   Types of sentences (statements, questions (wh, yes/no), commands, requests)

3.   Subject Verb Concord (pronouns, singular/ plural, auxilliaries)

4.   The Verb Phrase (Verb forms, adverbs)

5.    The noun phrase (noun, determiners, adjectives, prepositions)

6.   Time and tense

-    simple present

-    present continuous

-    simple past, past continuous

-    present perfect, present perfect continuous

-    past perfect, past perfect continuous

-    going to, will/shall + verb

7.   Non – finites (infinites, gerunds, participles)

8.   The modals (will, would, shall, should, can, could, must, ought, to, need)

9.   Clauses (adverb clauses of time, manner, reason: relative clauses, conditional clauses

– if + simple present + simple future. e.g. if I had a lakh of rupees. I’ll buy a scooter)

10. Reported speech (modification of time, word order – reporting statements, questions, imperatives)

Language functions

1.   Greetings/taking leave

2.   Introductions

3.   Supplying information

4.   Seeking information

5.   Describing

6.   Narrating stories

7.   Reporting events

8.   Giving instructions/directions

9.    Following instructions

10. Making requests

11. Taking messages

12. Apologizing/expressing regret/thanking

13. Complaining

14. Appreciating/ expressing likes & dislikes

15. Advising and suggesting

16. Taking about future plans

17. Giving reasons

The integrated objective of a completed lesson may be as follows: a possible frame-

COURSE CONTENT

The following poems and prose pieces will be exploited to develop the skills listed above: Textual Material

1.      The Mountain Goat

2.      The Most Difficult thing in the World

3.      How The Squirrel Got His Stripes

4.      Snake Bite

5.      Childhood Day

6.      Kondiba – A Hero

 7.      The King and The Tamarind Tree

 8.      Naina’s Village

 9.      Tall Trees*

 10.    A Tiger Comes To Town (I)

 11.    A Tiger Comes To Town (II)

 12.    The Story of Anju Dua

 13.    Shining Thing*

 14.    The Two Mares

 15.    A Birthday Letter

 16.    How Noise Affects Our Life

 17.    My Elder Brother

 18.    Indian Weavers*

 19.    Amartya Sen

 20.    The Last Stone Mason

 21.    The Wondrful World*

 22.    Stealing and Atonement

 23.    Gentleman In White

 24.    My Visions For India

 25.    Caring For Others

 26.    Hills Station, Darjeeling

 27.    A Prayer For Heading*

 28.    The Way You Look

 29.    New Goods From Rubbish

 30.    Studies In The Park

 31.    Truth*

 32.    The Return of The Lion

 33.    Reading With Understanding

 34.    Filling Up Forms, Cheques etc.

 *Poem

SCHEME OF EVALUATION

Summative evaluation

There will be one paper of 80 marks at the end of the course.  This paper will be of 3 hrs. duration.

Formative Evaluation

There will be three tutors marked Assignments (TMA) to be attempted by the learners. The grades obtained in the best of two will be reflected in the final mark sheet.

In addition the following will be administered as part of the course material:

•   There are 6 assignments in all for the studies.

•   There is an assignment after at least every 5th unit.

•   Each assignment is of 50 marks and of 11/2 hrs. duration.

•   These assignments cover all the five units preceding the assignment.

•   Questions are of varying difficulty levels.

•   Each assignment aims at testing skills.

Weightage by Modules

Reading                                  -             38 marks

Writing                                   -             31 marks

Elements of language           -             31 marks

Weightage of objectives

Knowledge - 28

Comprehension- 29

Expression – 43

Care has been taken to test the skill in focus in terms of recognition and production. This means for e.g. while marking comprehension unseen passage a student’s ability to understand, interpret and respond to the given passages should be tested.  In other words only reading skill  is  to be tested.    As  such  content  assumes  more importance than expression in this case.

Types of questions for testing/evaluation

•   Long answer type 1 question

Marks - 6 marks each

•   Long answer type 2 question

Marks - 5 marks each

•   Short answer type 1 question

Marks – 2 marks each

•   Short answer type 2 question

Marks – 4 marks each

•   Very short answer type question

Marks – 1 marks each

•   Multiple-choice question mark.

Type of activities

The following types of activities have been used for developing the different language skills and contents of the syllabus.  Examples of areas where each type of activity can be applicable is given below each head.

1.         Transformation

-    of sentences

2.         Information Gap Activities

-    for grammatical items