English: Intermediate Level

Required Learning Outcomes

1. Critical and Creative Thinking

• recall and interpret information
• identify subject/topic, main ideas, supporting ideas, and sequence
• summarize
• make inferences
• compare and contrast
• classify
• define
• draw conclusions
• analyze information and solve problems (create solutions, identify impact of solutions, modify solutions)
• identify and discuss examples of fact and of opinion
• support a position

2. Speaking and Listening

• ask questions to clarify meaning
• demonstrate effective listening and paraphrasing skills
• use voice and body language effectively
• respond effectively to listener feedback
• deliver an effective oral presentation to inform or persuade
• provide useful input and feedback in a variety of situations (peer editing, group discussion, classroom participation)

3. Reading, Research, Reference

• use context clues and word structure analysis (prefix, suffix, root) to determine meaning
• recognize homonyms, antonyms and synonyms
• use a dictionary and a thesaurus to expand vocabulary
• read to locate specific information
• use a variety of reference materials
• use in-book reference tools (index, table of contents, glossary)
• use skimming and scanning techniques
• develop skills in outlining, memorizing, exam taking and note-taking
• recognize point of view, illogical argument, fallacies, stereotypes, bias and propaganda

4. Written Communication

• understand and use the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing
• gather ideas; define and narrow a topic; evaluate, select and organize source materials
• adjust content and style of writing to suit purpose, audience and situation
• revise and edit work to improve content, organization, word choice, phrasing, sentence and paragraph structure, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics
• write effective paragraphs in a range of rhetorical modes (may include narrative, descriptive, process, compare/contrast, cause/effect, classification, expository, and persuasive)
• write a summary
• write an essay
• understand and avoid plagiarism

Recommended Learning Outcomes

5. Co-operative Communication

• establish co-operative working relationships with others
• recognize and respect diversity and individual differences
• establish goals and priorities
• respond appropriately to thoughts, opinions, non-verbal cues, and work of others
• challenge assumptions constructively

6. Media Literacy

• identify and track a theme, topic, or specified content from a variety of media
• interpret common graphics (graphs, charts, tables)
• review a book, movie, play, television program, documentary, piece of music, or other non-print material

7. Computer Literacy

• use computer programs to create, edit, and publish
• use electronic communication
• format assignments appropriately

8. Creative Writing

• write a creative piece (poetry, blog, journal, story)