ZIMBABWE

MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

HWANGE DISTRICT

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUS

FORM 4

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SKILLS
This school based syllabus is derived from the national syllabus based on the new abridged curriculum. Emphasis will be on the four
macro-skills that is,
1. Listening/ Observing
2. Speaking/ signing
3. Reading/ signing
4. Writing/ brailing
This syllabus is learner centered and encourages learner-centered and interactive activities that enable learners to develop in their
given school environment, community and society Hwange District and Matabeleland North Province

TOPICS
 Oral work
 Language structures
 Comprehension
 Composition
 Summary
 Registers

Aims

The aim of the school based syllabus as derived from the national syllabus, are, but not limited to the following,

 Promote an awareness of the English language as a medium of national and international communication for the use of
personal and national development
 Develop a lifelong reading habit for enjoyment and acquisition of knowledge.
 Develop appropriate techniques for intensive and extensive reading.
 Extend already acquired skills of reading.

Objectives

By the end of form four learners should be able to:

 Construct simple and compound sentences both orally and written/braille.
 Evaluate information given
 Listen to and understand texts or any form of communication carried out in English.
 Express themselves using writing/ brailing and other non- verbal communicative skills.
 Write meaningfully, coherently and cohesively.

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FORM 4

WEEK(S) TOPIC/ CONCEPT OBJECTIVE S.O.M SUGGESTED DURATION

CONTENT MEDIA

ONE Comprehension - answer a variety of questions. -National -print media -once weekly
-Listening -Listening -skim and scan a text Syllabus 8.3 pg. -alternate
-Intensive Reading - Skimming -paraphrase given information. 34 -statistical data
-Extensive -Scanning
-Plot. Settings , -make notes on read texts.
themes -draw inferences from written -work cards
texts
-summarize a text -magazines
-evaluate a texts
-resource
person
-journals

-dummy essays

Supporting Noun - define a noun National syllabus -Word cards Weekly

Language - describe how nouns are 7.5 page 14
Structures -formation formed(prefixes and suffixes) - ICT tools
-write an exercise on nouns. -National
Syllabus pg 11

Composition -elements of a Distinguish types of sentences. -National -Dummy essays fortnightly

Writing paragraph Syllabus 8.4 pg. -pictures
-write coherent paragraphs. 36 -textbooks
-Anthologies
ICT tools
-use appropriate register
Composition -free - connect ideas in in logical National syllabus -Dummy essays -once
compositions coherent paragraphs. 8.4 page 36 -pictures fortnightly
-writing - write coherent paragraphs -textbooks
paragraphs -Anthologies
-use appropriate register ICT tools

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TWO Comprehension -Listening -- answer a variety of questions. -National Textbooks -once weekly
- Skimming -skim and scan a text Syllabus 8.3 pg. -magazines -alternate
-Listening -Scanning -paraphrase given information. 34 ICT tools
-Intensive -Plot. Settings , -Newspapers
-Extensive themes -make notes on read texts.
-draw inferences from written
texts
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts.
Supporting -Pronouns -list examples of relative National syllabus -Alphabet chart Weekly
Language -relative pronouns. 7.5 page 11
Structures -work cards
- use relative pronouns to
construct individual sentences -ICT tools
- write an exercise on relative
pronouns.
Verbs -National work cards Weekly
Types of verbs Syllabus 7.5 pg.
-state different types of verbs. 11 -textbooks
- use the correct verbs to
complete given sentences. ICT tools
- write an exercise on types of
verbs.

Intensive Reading -Summarizing - list relevant summary National syllabus -work cards fortnightly
Summary -listing relevant points 8.3 page 34
points - summarize a text -textbooks

ICT tools

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 Spelling and Word Discourse - define a discourse marker. -Print Media weekly
formation markers -National
-list examples of discourse Syllabus 8.3 - ICT tools
makers pg.11

- write an exercise on discourse

markers

THREE Supporting Spelling and - define a homograph National syllabus -Work cards weekly
Language word formation -list examples of homographs 7.5 page 11 -Textbooks
structures -write an exercise on -Print Media
homographs homographs.

Sentence -define complex sentences. National Syllabus -ICT tools Weekly

Construction - differentiate between pg. 11
-complex different types of sentences. -Work cards
sentences - construct complex
sentences -Charts

-Textbooks
Sentence -define sentence modifiers
modifiers -identify words which modify National Syllabus
sentences pg 11
- write an exercise on sentence
modifiers.

Comprehension - Listening --- answer a variety of questions. National syllabus Textbooks -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.1 page 13,15 -magazines
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information. ICT tools
-Extensive -Plot. Settings , -Newspapers
themes -make notes on read texts.
-draw inferences from written
texts
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts.

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 Composition Guided - compile a curriculum vitae National Syllabus -Magazines fortnightly
composition 8.4 pg. 37
-use guided composition - Textbooks
-curriculum techniques
vitae - ICT tools
- amplify pegs
-Print Media

FOUR Comprehension - Listening National syllabus Textbooks -once weekly

-Listening - Skimming - answer a variety of questions. 8.1 page 34 -magazines
-Intensive -Scanning -skim and scan a text ICT tools
-Extensive -Plot. Settings , -Newspapers
themes -paraphrase given information.
-make notes on read texts.
-draw inferences from written
texts
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts.

writing Test 1 -all language structures topics National syllabus -Textbooks -Once
covered 8.4 page 17,38 - Test papers monthly
ICT tools

Supporting -Sentence -list examples of punctuation Weekly

Language Construction marks. -National
Structures -direct speech - punctuate a dialogue Syllabus 7.5 pg.
- write an exercise punctuating 11 -Textbooks
direct speech.
-magazines
Verbs ICT tools -weekly

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 Supporting -Auxiliary and - define auxiliary and modal National Syllabus
Language modal verbs verbs pg. 11 -Newspapers
Structures - use auxiliary and modal verbs to
construct sentences -Charts
- write an exercise on auxiliary
and modal verbs

-Summary Summarizing -list relevant summary points National Syllabus fortnightly

-listing relevant - summarize a text 8.3 pg. 34
points
FIVE Supporting Adverbs - list examples of adverbial National syllabus - charts Weekly
Language phrases and clauses 7.5 page 11
structures ICT tools
-Adverbial - List examples of tenses.
phrases and - Correct consistency I the -Print media
clauses given sentences.
- -Work cards
Free composition -argumentative -write different types of National syllabus - charts fortnightly
compositions 8.4 page 36
-demonstrate creative writing ICT tools
skills.
-varied vocabulary and -Print media
appropriate register
-Work cards

Comprehension -Listening ---- answer a variety of questions. National syllabus -magazines -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.3 pg 34
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information. Textbooks
-Extensive -Plot. Settings ,
themes -make notes on read texts. -magazines
-draw inferences from written
texts ICT tools
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts. -Newspapers

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 Intensive Reading Vocabulary -find meanings of words using the National syllabus - charts Weekly
context. 8.3page 34
Vocabulary - word meaning ICT tools
- draw inferences from read texts
-Print media

-Work cards
charts

ICT tools

-Print media
Sentence prepositions
construction - List examples of prepositions. - National -Work cards weekly
- state different types of Syllabus pg. 11 - charts
prepositions ICT tools
- complete an exercise on -Print media
prepositions

SIX Supporting -define a conjunction. National syllabus - charts Weekly

Language --Conjunctions -list examples of conjunctions 7.5 page 11
structures -combine sentences using the ICT tools
conjunction words
-Print media
-Simple and -define simple and compound
compound sentences. -Work cards
sentences - differentiate between simple -National
and compound sentences Syllabus pg. 11
- construct simple and weekly
compound sentences
Summary -Summary - list relevant summary National syllabus -magazines Fortnightly
writing points 8.3 page 34 - charts
- summarize a text
ICT tools

-Print media
-Work cards

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 Comprehension -Listening - answer a variety of questions. National syllabus -magazines -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.3 pg. 34 - charts
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information.
-Extensive -Plot. Settings , ICT tools
themes -make notes on read texts.
-draw inferences from written -Print media
texts
-summarize a text -Work cards
-evaluate a texts.

Oral instructions listening -follow a series of directions and -National -magazines weekly
instructions Syllabus pg. 31 - charts

ICT tools
-convey messages correctly.
-report on announcements -Print media

-Work cards
SEVEN Supporting -Sentence --define a determiner. -National -magazines weekly
Language Construction Syllabus pg. 11 - charts
Structures -list examples of determiners
-determiners ICT tools
-write an exercise on determiners
-Print media

Spelling and - define a homograph -National -Work cards

word formation -list examples of homographs Syllabus pg. 11
-write an exercise on homographs
-homographs

Composition Guided - write a speech. National syllabus magazines fortnightly

composition -expand pegs 8.4 page 37 - charts
-speech writing - use appropriate register ICT tools

-Print media
-Work cards

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 Comprehension -Listening -- answer a variety of questions. National syllabus - magazines -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.4 pag34 - charts
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information.
-Extensive -Plot. Settings , ICT tools
themes -make notes on read texts.
-draw inferences from written -Print media
texts
-summarize a text -Work cards
-evaluate a texts.

Intensive Reading Vocabulary National syllabus ICT tools weekly

-find contextual meanings of 8.4 pg 34
-word words. -Print media
meanings
-draw inferences from read texts -Work cards

EIGHT Test 2 Mastery test -Recall, exhibit an understanding National syllabus ICT tools Once monthly
of concepts taught 8.4 page 17,
38,39 -Print media

-Work cards
Summary -listing relevant - list relevant points -National -magazines fortnightly
points -identify the correct agent of the Syllabus pg.15
-identifying the summary ICT tools
correct agent of
the summary -Print media
-Work cards
Comprehension -Listening - answer a variety of questions. National syllabus Magazines -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.4 pg 34
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information. -ICT tools
-Extensive -Plot. Settings ,
themes -make notes on read texts. -textbooks
-draw inferences from written
texts -Print media
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts. -Work cards

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 Supporting -Adjectives - identify prefixes and suffixes in National syllabus magazines weekly
Language Suffixes and the given words. 7.5 page 11
structures prefixes -write and exercise on prefixes ICT tools
and suffixes.
-Print media
Sentence - define a preposition -National
Construction -list examples of prepositions Syllabus pg11 -Work cards
-prepositions -write an exercise on prepositions

Descriptions -describing -describe processes, people, -National magazines Weekly

scenes events, objects and scenes Syllabus pg. 32
ICT tools
-recount events
-Print media

-Work cards

NINE Comprehension -Listening -- answer a variety of questions. National syllabus - magazines -once weekly
-Listening - Skimming -skim and scan a text 8.4page 34
-Intensive -Scanning -paraphrase given information. ICT tools
-Extensive -Plot. Settings ,
themes -make notes on read texts. -Print media
-draw inferences from written
texts -Work cards
-summarize a text
-evaluate a texts. -Textbooks

Intensive Reading Vocabulary - find contextual meanings of National syllabus magazines weekly
words. 8.24 pg 34
-word meaning ICT tools
- draw inferences from read texts
-Print media

-Work cards

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 Supporting Verbs -define phrasal verbs National syllabus magazines weekly
Language - List examples of phrasal verbs. 7.5 page 11
structures Phrasal verbs -write an exercise on phrasal ICT tools
verbs
-Print media

National Syllabus -Work cards

Direct and In pg. 12
direct speech - change sentences from direct
speech to indirect speech
switching
- write an exercise on direct and
indirect speech

Free Composition Composition -distinguish various composition National syllabus magazines fortnightly
types. 8.4 page 37
-descriptive ICT tools
-depict scenes , processes, people,
objects and events -Print media
Work cards

TEN END OF TERM - Composition - write various composition types National syllabus magazines Every term
Examinations Section A and 8.3 page 38, 39
B - use the correct vocabulary ICT tools

- -answer different language -Print media

Comprehension structures questions.
-Work cards
-Language
Structures

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