Zimbabwe Form 1 School Syllabus - English Language

This syllabus emphasizes the development of four macro-skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It also incorporates visual, aural, manual, and tactile skills to accommodate diverse learning needs. The syllabus promotes a communicative-functional approach, encouraging learners to use English in various contexts and for lifelong learning.

Aims

• Promote awareness of English as a communication tool for personal and national development.
• Develop a lifelong reading habit for enjoyment and knowledge acquisition.
• Develop appropriate reading techniques.
• Foster writing skills and talent.
• Develop listening skills for different purposes.
• Enhance effective communication in spoken English.
• Expand interactive skills using ICT.

Objectives

By the end of Form 4, learners should be able to:

• Construct correct English sentences orally and in writing.
• Use appropriate language registers.
• Read diverse texts for knowledge and recreation.
• Utilize cyberspace responsibly.
• Evaluate oral and written information.
• Listen and understand various forms of communication.
• Use writing conventions correctly.
• Express themselves using non-verbal communication.
• Write meaningfully on diverse topics.
• Apply acquired skills for creative writing or career identification.

Methodology

The syllabus recommends a functional-communicative, multi-sensory approach, incorporating principles of individualization. Learner-centered and interactive activities are encouraged. Suggested strategies include debates, presentations, drama, role-play, poetry, song, dance, educational tours, e-learning, research, case studies, puppetry, dioramas, quizzes, and using models/resource persons. A minimum of 6-7 periods per week is recommended.

Skills and Topics

Skills:

• Listening/Observing
• Speaking/Signing
• Reading/Signing
• Writing/Brailing

Topics:

• Oral work
• Language structures
• Comprehension
• Composition
• Summary
• Registers

Assessment

Assessment includes continuous and summative components. Continuous assessment involves speaking, listening, writing, and projects, weighted throughout Forms 1-4. Summative assessment consists of two papers: composition and comprehension, summary, and supporting language structures. The final mark is a combination of continuous assessment (30%) and summative assessment (70%). The syllabus also details specific assessment objectives for each skill.

Form 1 Specifics

• Listening/Observing: Focuses on answering questions, retelling stories, note-taking, following simple directions, and engaging in dialogues.
• Speaking/Signing: Includes pronunciation of vowels and consonants, using appropriate registers for introductions, greetings, and requests, describing self and environment, and participating in debates on local issues.
• Reading/Signing: Involves intensive reading with recall questions, skimming, scanning, and making notes, and extensive reading with summarization and character identification.
• Writing/Brailing: Covers basic sentence construction, types of sentences, paragraph elements, using appropriate registers, and writing narrative and descriptive compositions. Guided compositions include letters and reports. Supporting language structures are introduced.

This detailed breakdown of the Zimbabwe Form 1 English Language syllabus provides a comprehensive guide for educators and learners. It outlines the aims, objectives, methodology, assessment procedures, and specific skills and topics covered in Form 1, setting the foundation for subsequent years of study.