VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

FACULTY OF ENGLISH LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE

COURSE SYLLABUS
I. General information
1. Course title READING - WRITING B2
2. Course code NVA188
3. Type of course (compulsory, optional) Compulsory

4. Level of course Bachelor

5. Year of study (if applicable) 1
6. Semester when the course is delivered 2
7. Number of course credits allocated 3 (2 theoretical credits + 1 practical credit)
Independent study: 90 hours
8. Name of lecturer(s) N/A
9. Mode of delivery Face-to-face
10. Prerequisites Students are expected to have completed Reading – Writing
B1.
11. Language of instruction English
12. Work placement(s) N/A

II. Course overview

This course is designed to provide participants with
● understanding and use of target vocabulary items related to topics covered in the textbook
● opportunities to practice reading skills to understand B2-level written texts
● opportunities to practice writing essays
● opportunities to acquire and improve transferable skills

III. Course learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to
1. memorize vocabulary items related to the topics covered in the textbook
2. demonstrate reading skills (previewing and predicting, finding main ideas and details, scanning,
outlining, reading charts and graphs, summarizing, and inferring) to understand B2-level written texts
3. demonstrate writing skills to write well-organized essays with appropriate use of language
4. develop creativity, problem solving and critical thinking skills
5. show positive responses to cultural diversity

IV. Recommended or required readings

Required Texts and Materials
● Reading: Douglas, N., & Bohlke, D. (2020). Reading Explorer 3. Cengage learning.
● Writing: Folse, K. S., Muchmore-Vokum A., & Vestri, E. (2020). Great writing 3: From great
paragraphs to great essays. (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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 Optional Readings
● Blass, L. & Vargo, M. (2018). Pathways 3: Reading, writing, and critical thinking. (2nd ed.).
Cengage Learning.
● Bixby, J. & Caplan, N. A. (2014). Inside writing 3. OUP.
● Rogers, L. & Wilkin, J. (2012). Skillful 3: Reading and writing. Macmillan.
● Savage, A. & Shafiei, M. (2012). Effective academic writing 2: The short essay (2nd ed.). OUP.

V. Course contents and schedules

Course content and materials Planned learning

Sessions activities/teaching
Course content Required Readings method
Reading
Unit 1: Sports and Fitness
Reading 1B: What Makes an Olympic Douglas, N., &
Champion? Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Scanning for Specific Unit 1, pp. 7-22 Lecture
Information Discussion
1 Homework: Reading 1A: The World’s Game Practice
Folse, K. S., Group practice
Writing
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 1: Paragraphs
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.2 – p.24
(2020). Unit 1, pp. 2-
Homework: p.25 – p. 31
31
Reading
Unit 2: Skin Deep
Douglas, N., &
Reading 2B: Skin: The Body’s Canvas
Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Summarizing the Main Idea of
Unit 2, pp. 23-38 Lecture
Paragraphs
Homework: Reading 2A: What is Beauty? Discussion
2
Practice
Folse, K. S., Group practice
Writing
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 2: Features of good writing
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.32 – p.50
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.51 – p. 57
32-57
Reading
Unit 4: Violent Earth
Douglas, N., &
Reading 4A: Sacred Summits
Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Summarizing a Text
Unit 4, pp. 57-72 Lecture
Homework: Reading 4B: Is Prediction
Possible? Discussion
3
Practice
Folse, K. S., Group practice
Writing
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 3: Types of paragraphs
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.58 – p.72
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.73 – p. 81
58-81
Reading
Unit 5: Islands and Beaches Lecture
Douglas, N., &
Reading 5B: The Perfect Beach Discussion
4 Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Identifying a Writer’s Point of Practice
Unit 5, pp. 73-88
View Group practice
Homework: Reading 5A: Land of Fire and Ice

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 Folse, K. S.,
Writing
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 4: Classification Essays
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.82 – p.99
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.100 – p. 107
82-107
Revision (Reading Skills & Classification
Essays)
Discussion
Extra reading and writing practice (teacher’s
5 Practice
choice of materials)
Group practice
Online
Teaching assistant
Reading
Unit 6: Global Addictions Douglas, N., &
Reading 6A: The World’s Favorite Drug Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Identifying Pros and Cons Unit 6, pp. 89-104 Lecture
Homework: 6B: Addicted to Distraction Discussion
6
Folse, K. S., Practice
Writing Group practice
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 5: Cause-effect Essays
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.108 – p.125
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.126 – p. 131
108-131
Reading
Unit 7: Energy Solutions Douglas, N., &
Reading 7B: City of the Future? Bohlke, D. (2020). Lecture
Reading Skill: Identifying an Author’s Opinion Unit 7, pp. 105-120 Discussion
7 Homework: 7A: Powering the Planet Practice
Writing Group practice
Revision (Cause-Effect Essays)
Extra writing practice
Revision Discussion
8 Extra reading and writing practice Practice
(teacher’s choice of materials) Group practice
Midterm test
Discussion
Reading: 75 minutes
9 Practice
Writing: 45 minutes
Group practice
Revision
Reading
Unit 8: Epic Engineering Douglas, N., &
Reading 8B: Highway of Dreams Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Inferring Information (1) Unit 8, pp. 121-136 Lecture
Homework: Reading 8A: China’s Grand Canal Discussion
10
Folse, K. S., Practice
Writing Group practice
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 6: Comparison Essays
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.132 – p.148
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.149 – p. 155
132-155
Reading
Unit 9: High-Tech Solutions Lecture
Douglas, N., &
Reading 9A: The Power of Virtual Reality Discussion
11 Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Applying Information from a Practice
Unit 9, pp. 137-152
Text Group practice
Homework: Reading 9B: High-Flying Helpers

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 Writing
Revision (Comparison Essays)
Extra writing practice
Reading
Unit 10: All in the Mind
Douglas, N., &
Reading 10A: What’s on Your Mind?
Bohlke, D. (2020).
Reading Skill: Identifying Text Organization
Unit 10, pp. 153-168 Lecture
Homework: Reading 10B: Inside Animal
Minds Discussion
12
Practice
Folse, K. S., Group practice
Writing
Muchmore-Vokum
Unit 7: Problem-Solving Essays
A., & Vestri, E.
In class: p.156 – p.171
(2020). Unit 1, pp.
Homework: p.172 – p.177
156-177
Reading
Unit 11: Visual Pioneers Douglas, N., &
Reading 11A: Van Gogh’s World Bohlke, D. (2020). Lecture
Reading Skill: Inferring Information (2) Unit 11, pp. 169-186 Discussion
13 Homework: Reading 11B: Seeing the Light Practice
Writing Group practice
Revision (Problem-Solution Essays)
Extra writing practice
Revision
Lecture
Extra reading and writing practice
Discussion
14 (teacher’s choice of materials)
Practice
Online
Group practice
Teaching assistant
Discussion
Final Revision
15 Practice
(teacher’s choice of materials)
Group practice
TBA Final exams (A3 + A4)

N.B.: The schedule was planned with 15 four-period meetings and thus should be amended by Instructors
to fit 12 five-period meetings.

VI. Assessment scheme

Assessment Tasks Points Percent Score Weighting
A1. Participation 10 points 30% Midterm 30%
A2. Midterm exams 10 points 70%
Reading: 50%
Writing: 50%
Final exams 10 points Final 70%
A3. Reading 50%
A4. Writing 50%
100%
(Passing grade: 5/10)

● Students who fail to take the final exam on one sub-skill (either Reading or Writing) are not qualified
to pass this course.

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 ● The final exam shall be administered as two separate sub-tests or in two separate shifts (one on Reading
and the other on Writing) in accordance with the exam schedule prepared by the Faculty or the
University. The average score of these two sub-tests is taken as the final score.
(See detailed rubrics attached.)

VII. Course alignment matrix

Course learning outcomes (CLOs) Programme learning Teaching and Assessment

outcomes (PLOs) learning activities tasks
CLO1 - memorize vocabulary items PLO1– L2 L + D + GP A2 + A3 + A4
related to the topics covered in the
textbook
CLO2 - demonstrate reading skills to PLO1 – L2 L + D + GP + P A2 + A3 + A4
understand B1-level written texts reading
charts and graphs, summarizing, and
inferring to understand B2-level written
texts
CLO3 - demonstrate writing skills to PLO4– L1 L + D + GP + P A2 + A3 + A4
write well-organized essays with
appropriate use of language
CLO4 - develop creativity, problem PLO5 – L1 D + GP + P A1 + A2 + A3
solving and critical thinking skills + A4
CLO5 - show positive responses to PLO5 – L1 D + GP + P A1 + A2 + A3
cultural diversity + A4
(Note: L = Lecture, D = Discussion, P = Practice, GP = Group practice)

VIII. Course policies

Attendance Policy: Attendance in all sessions is strongly recommended. Participants are required to give
advance notice of their absence in class in case of illness or any other situations. However, 80% is the
minimum attendance required for a student to take the final test.
Professionalism Policy: Participants are expected to be well prepared and take an active role in class
discussions and work collaboratively with their peers.
Academic Integrity: Forms of plagiarism and cheating will lead to a failing grade or zero on
the assignment or test.
Designed by: Vo Huynh Thanh, M.A.

Updated by
- August 2023: Bui Manh Bao, M.A., & Dang Thi Van Di, M.A.

Date of approval: August 2023

Approved by Approved by

Nguyen Dang Nguyen, Ph.D. Dang Thi Van Di, M.A.

Dean, Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature Department of English Language Skills