HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
I. General information
1. Course title in Vietnamese: Đọc Viết 4
2. Course Code: (ENGL1341)
3. Course title in English: Reading - Writing 4
4. Knowledge/Skills: Foundation
5. Credits:
Total Theory Practice Self-study
3 2 1 90
6. Administration of the course
a. Faculty: Foreign Languages
b. Academics: Nguyen Xuan Minh
c. Email: [email protected]
d. Room: 503, Ho Chi Minh City Open University,
35 – 37 Hồ Hảo Hớn, Cô Giang Ward, District 1

II. Course information

1.Course description
This course is the last practice-based course in a series of 4 reading and writing courses in the foundation component of the English
major curriculum. It provides learners with knowledge of themes of Nutritional Science, Education, Anthropology and Psychology.
 The course is also designed to help students develop their self-study skills and critical thinking skills that enable them to predict
content, identify main and supporting ideas as well as summarize ideas of a reading text. Learners will also be able to analyze,
synthesize, apply knowledge and express ideas in written assignments. Knowledge and skills in this course, together with the courses
of Reading and Writing 1, 2 and 3, will prepare learners to achieve Level 4 in Vietnamese Standardised Test of English Proficiency
(VSTEP).
2. Pre-requisites

No. Requirements Code

1. Pre-requisites
Reading and Writing 3 ENGL1340
2. Preceding courses
Reading and Writing 3 ENGL1340
3. Co-courses
None

3. Course objectives

Course
Description PLO
objectives
CO1 Provide knowledge on reading comprehension PLO7, PLO8, PLO9.1
skills across topics including nutrional science,
education, geology, and engineering
CO2 Equip analytical, synthesis, and application PLO7, PLO8, PLO9.1
skills, demonstrating opinions through related
articles within the subject matter
CO3 Cultivate an attitude for independent and PLO7, PLO8, PLO9.1
collaborative work, fostering critical thinking,
proficiency in information technology,
exhibiting autonomy, and taking responsibility
for group as well as individual activities in
understanding readings and creating related
 content within the subject matter.

4. Course learning outcomes (CLOs)

By the end of the course, students will be able to . . .
Course
CLOs Description
objectives
Recognize a writer’s bias and identify counterarguments and
CLO1.1
CO1 refutations to better evaluate his or her arguments.
CLO 1.2 Recognize facts and opinions and use an outline.
Write a five-paragraph cause/effect essay (250 – 350 words) with
CLO 2.1
the correct use of passive verbs and collocations.
Write a four-paragraph summary of a reading (200-300 words)
CLO 2.2
with the correct use of reported speech and synonyms.
CO2
Write a five-paragraph opinion essay (250 – 350 words) with the
CLO 2.3
correct use of adverbs of reasons.
Write a five-paragraph persuasive essay (250 – 350 words) with
CLO 2.4
the correct use of adverbs of concession.
CLO 3.1 Use different teamwork skills to produce a group paper.
CO3
CLO 3.2 Schedule effectively to submit assignments on time.
Use simple technologies to search for useful ideas and develop
CLO 3.3
reading and writing skills.
Alignment of CLOs and PLOs

CLOs PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO6 PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9.1 10 11
1.1 x x x
1.2 x x x
2.1 x x x
2.2 x x x
2.3 x x x
2.4 x x x
3.1 x x x
3.2 x x x
3.3 x x x
 5. Course Textbooks and Materials
a. Textbook
[1] Daise, D., Norloff, C. (2020) Q:Skills for success: Reading and writing 4 .(3rd ed). Oxford University Press. [Units 5 - 8]
b. Supplementary Materials
Books
[2] Folse, K.S. & April, M., & Vestri. S.E. (2020). Great writing 4: Great Essays (5th ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Heinle.
[3] Kirn, E., & Hartman, P. (2020). New interactions 3: Reading and writing (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Websites
[4] ER Central. (n.d.). Extensive Reading Central. [https://www.er-central.com/]
[5] Newsela. (n.d.). Newsela: Informational text for learners. [https://newsela.com/]
[6] Breaking News English. (n.d.). Breaking News English: Daily news lessons. [https://breakingnewsenglish.com/]
[7] Lombardi, E. (n.d.). How to write an analysis and evaluation of an essay. Owlcation. Owlcation.
https://owlcation.com/academia/How-to-Write-an-Analysis-and-Evaluation-of-an-Essay
[8] Purdue Online Writing Lab (n.d.). Descriptive essays. Purdue University.
[https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/descriptive_essays.htm]
[9]Purdue Online Writing Lab (n.d.). Narrative essays. [https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/
narrative_essays.html]
[10] Youtube. (2021). How to write a compare and contrast essay.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02VH8GvMYoc&ab_channel=BreakingEnglish]
c. Web Application
[11] Oxford University Press (2024). Q Online Practice. [https://iq.ouponlinepractice.com/auth/index]
[12] Moodle (2024). Ho Chi Minh City Open University [https://lms.ou.edu.vn/]
 6. Student assessment
Assessment Assessment
Type of assessment CLOs Weight %
methods time
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
A1.1: In-class
Reading Quiz or Week 3, 5, 7,
CLO1; CLO3.1 5%
LMS Reading 9
Quiz
A1.2: Personal
A1. Formative Writing Week 2 CLO2; CLO3 5%
assessment (Reading Assignment 1
Comprehension
A1.3: Group
Quiz, Personal and
Writing Week 4 CLO2; CLO3 5%
group writing
Assignment
assignments,
A1.4: Personal
Iqonline practice)
Writing Week 6 CLO2; CLO3 5%
Assignment 2
A1.5: IQ online
Week 1 - 9 CLO1; CLO3 10%
practice
Total 30%
A2.1: Reading and
Writing Test CLO1; CLO2;
A2. Mid-term (individually) Week 8 20%
CLO3
assessment
Total 50%
A3.1: Reading and CLO1; CLO2;
A3. End-of-course Writing Test After Week 9 50%
CLO3
assessment (individually)
Total 50%

Rubrics for essay writing (A1.2, A1.3, A.1.4, A2.1, A3.1)

Criteria Marks Poor (0.1-0.9) Average (1.0-1.5) Good (1.6-2.0) Excellent (2.1-2.5)
Content ____/2.5 ● inadequately developed ● partially developed ● satisfactorily developed ● fully developed essay
essay essay essay ● strong thesis statement and
● thesis statement and ● clear thesis statement ● satisfactory thesis restatement
restatement not clear or and restatement statement and ● well-developed subtopic
missing ● subtopic and supporting restatement and supporting ideas
● irrelevant supporting ideas partially relevant ● appropriate subtopic and
ideas supporting ideas
Organization ____/2.5 ● inaccurately organized ● partially organized ● satisfactorily organized ● skillfully organized essay
essay essay essay ● wide range of cohesive
● essay format not visible ● essay format visible ● satisfactory linking devices
● inaccurate or repetitive ● some cohesive devices words and structures ● logical idea organization
cohesive devices overused ● satisfactory idea
organization
Grammar ____/2.5 ● limited range of ● average range of ● satisfactory control of ● wide range of structures
structures structures complex structures ● rare minor errors
● frequent grammatical ● some errors in grammar ● mostly error-free
errors and punctuation and punctuation sentences
Vocabulary ____/2.5 ● limited range of ● average range of ● satisfactory range of ● wide range of vocabulary
vocabulary vocabulary vocabulary ● skillful control of style and
● inappropriate ● do not cause reader ● satisfactory control of collocation
vocabulary for the task difficulty style and collocation ● rare minor errors
● some errors in word ● few errors in word
choice, spelling, form choice, spelling, form
 Total ____/10.0

7. Teaching and learning methods

Blended learning
Lecturing
Pair work Discussion
Group work Discussion
Process writing
Extensive and Close Reading Activities
Peer Review
Collaborative Writing
8. Teaching schedule:
Acronyms: Course Instructor: CI | Students: SS | P: Periods
Tài liệu
chính và
Bài tài liệu
đánh giá tham
Hoạt động dạy và học/Teaching and learning Student khảo
Tuần assessm Textboo
/buổi ent ks and
CĐR
học material
Nội dung môn
Wee s
Content học
k Trực tuyến (nếu
CLOs Trực tiếp/FTF
Secti có)/Online (if any)
Tự học/Self-study
on
Lý thuyết/Theory Thực hành/Practice Lý thuyết/Theory
Số
Hoạt Số giờ
Hoạt động Số giờ Hoạt động giờ Số giờ Hoạt động
động Period
Activity Periods Activity Perio Periods Activity
Activity s
ds
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
-Introduction CI: Lecture: Explain [1] [3]
-Reading 1: and Manage Activities [4] [5]
SS: [6] [11]
Eating well –
● Discuss the [12]
less Science, questions in pairs
● Group work and
More
practice reading
Common comprehension
and reading skill:
Sense
Recognizing bias
-Reading 2: ● Sign in to Qskills
CLO RW4
Personalized
1 ● Self-study:
Nutrition CLO LMS, Vocabulary Skill: A1.1
1 2 OUPOnline 11.5 Cause and Effect 5 x 0 x x
Company A1.5
CLO Practice Collocations.
Will Use 3 (In-class theoretical
Your DNA To instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P; Online:
Tell You 2P; Home Self-study:
What To Eat 9P
Self-study activities:
-Reading Doing extensive
skill: reading in [4], [5], [6]
on the topic of
Recognizing “Nutional Science”
bias and practicing writing
summaries.

2 -Writing skill: CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage activities 5 x 0 x x A1.2 [1] [2]
Write a cause 3 OUPOnline and Instruct A1.5 [7] [11]
and effect CLO Practice SS: [12]
essay 1 ● Learn to use
-Grammar: CLO Google Docs.
Agents with 2 ● Present and do
 the passive group work to
voice complete the
writing
assignment.
● Review peers’
papers
● Complete Unit 5
on Qskills RW4
● Self-study:
complete the
writing
assignment and
group work
report
(In-class theoretical
instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P; Online:
2P; Home Self-study:
9P)
Self-study activities:
Doing practice
exercises in [2], [7]

3 -Reading 1: CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage activities 5 0 x x A1.1 [1] [3]
1 OUPOnline and Instruct A1.5 [4] [5]
From Student
CLO Practice SS: [6] [11]
to Employee: 3 ● Learn to use an [12]
outline to
A Difficult
understand how a
Transition text is organized
● Ask questions
-Reading 2:
● Group work and
Making My
practice
First Post –
● Self-study:
College
Decision Vocabulary skill:
Word forms
 -Reading (In-class theoretical
skill: Using an instruction: 3P;
outline Practice: 1,5P; Online:
2P; Home Self-study:
9P)
Self-study activities:
Doing extensive
reading in [3], [4], [5],
[6] on the topic of
“Nutional Science”
and practicing writing
summaries.
4 - Writing CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage activities 5 0 x x A1.1 [1] [2]
skill: 3 OUPOnline and Instruct A1.5 [8] [11]
Writing a Practice SS: [12]
summary ● Learn the writing
-Grammar: process:
Reported Brainstorm, plan,
speech with write, peer
the present review, rewrite
tense and and edit.
shifting tenses ● Present and do
group work to
complete the
writing
assignment.
● Review peers’
papers
● Complete Unit 6
on Qskills RW4
● Self-study:
Grammar section
(In-class
theoretical
instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P;
 Online: 2P;
Home Self-study:
9P)
Self-study activities:
Doing practice
exercises in [2], [8]
-Reading 1: CI: Lecture: Manage [1] [3]
activities and Instruct [4] [5]
Ocean
SS: [6] [11]
Discoveries ● Pairwork: Learn [12] [13]
to explain the
-Reading 2:
purpose of quoted
Alaska’s speech
● Individual: Ask
Pebble Mine:
questions
Minerals vs. ● Group work and
practice
Nature
● Self-study:
CLO
-Reading LMS, Vocabulary skill:
1 A1.3
5 skill: OUPOnline 11.5 Word roots 5 0 x x
CLO A1.5
Recognizing Practice (In-class theoretical
2
facts and instruction: 3P;
opinions Practice: 1,5P; Online:
2P; Home Self-study:
9P)
Self-study activities:
Doing extensive
reading in [3] [4], [5],
[6] on the topic of
“Geology” and
practicing writing
summaries.

6 -Writing skill: CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage activities 0 0 Dạy trực 5 A1.1 [1] [2]
Writing an 2 OUPOnline and Instruct tuyến qua A1.5 [9] [11]
opinion essay CLO Practice SS: GG Meet/ [12]
 -Grammar: 3 ● Pairwork:
Adverb Analyze the
phrases of sample essays
reason ● Individual:
+present adverb
phrases of reason
Zoom hoặc
+Practice the writing
LMS
process: Brainstorm,
Câu hỏi mô
plan, write, peer
phạm
review, rewrite and
Hình thành
edit.
khái niệm
+Complete the
Rèn luyện:
writing assignment.
Grammar:
+Complete Unit 7 on
Complex
Qskills RW4
Setences,
● Self-study:
Cause/
review opinion
Effect
essays
Essay
(In-class theoretical
Process
instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P; Online:
2P; Home Self-study:
9P)
Self-study activities:
Doing practice
exercises in [2], [9]
7 Peer Review CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage peer 5 0 x x A1.4 [1] [2]
Activity 1 OUPOnline review activities and A1.5
[11]
CLO Practice Instruct
2 SS:
 Groupwork:
Conduct
guided peer
review
activities
(graded
 activity)
 Self-study:
Complete the
revised paper
(In-class theoretical
instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P; Online:
2P; Home Self-study:
9P)

8 -Reading 1: CLO LMS, 11.5 CI: Manage mid-term 5 0 x x A1.5 [1] [3]
1 OUPOnline test activities and A2.1 [4] [5]
The Tacoma
CLO Practice Instruct [6] [11]
Narrow 2 SS: [12]
CLO  Do the mid-
Bridge
3 term exam
Collapse And paper.
 Ask questions
The Lesson
 Group work
Learned and practice
 Self-study:
-Reading 2:
Vocabulary
How To
skill:
Design A
Collocations
Student
with
Project That
prepositions
Benefits The
(In-class
Developing
theoretical
World
instruction: 3P;
-Reading
Practice: 1,5P;
skill:
Online: 2P; Home
Identifying
Self-study: 9P)
counterargum
Self-study activities:
ents and
Doing extensive
refutations
reading in [3] [4], [5],
[6] on the topic of
 “Engineering” and
practicing writing
summaries.
-Writing skill: CI: Manage activities
Writing a and Instruct
persuasive SS:
essay  Practice the writing
-Grammar: process:
Adverb Brainstorm, plan,
clauses of write, peer
concession review, rewrite
and edit.
 Complete the
writing
assignment.
 Review peers’
CLO
papers
2 LMS,
 Complete Unit 8 on
9 CLO OUPOnline 11.5 5 0 x x A1.5
Qskills RW4
3 Practice
 Self-study:
Grammar section
(In-class
theoretical
instruction: 3P;
Practice: 1,5P;
Online: 2P;
Home Self-study:
9P)

Self-study activities:
Doing practice
exercises in [2], [10]

Tổng cộng/Total X 105 X 40 X 0 X 5

9. The Matrix of PLOs, Teaching-Learning Activities and Assessment

 Tuần/ Hình thức
CĐR môn Hình thức dạy học
buổi học Nội dung đánh giá
học Teaching and learning
Week/ Content Student
CLOs methods
Section assessment
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
-Introduction CI: Lecture: Explain and A1.5
-Reading Text 1: Manage Activities
SS:
Eating well – less
● Discuss the questions in
Science, More pairs
● Group work and practice
Common Sense
reading comprehension
-Reading Text 2: and reading skill:
Recognizing bias
Personalized CLO1 ● Sign in to Qskills RW4
Nutrition Company CLO2 ● Self-study: Vocabulary
1 CLO3
Will Use Your DNA Skill: Cause and Effect
Collocations.
To Tell You What (In-class theoretical instruction:
To Eat 3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P
-Reading skill: Self-study activities: Doing
Recognizing bias extensive reading in [4], [5], [6]
on the topic of “Nutional
Science” and practicing writing
summaries.
2 -Writing skill: CLO3 CI: Manage activities and A1.1
Write a cause and CLO3 Instruct A1.5
effect essay CLO1 SS:
-Grammar: Agents ● Learn to use Google Docs.
with the passive CLO2 ● Present and do group work
voice to complete the writing
assignment.
 ● Review peers’ papers
● Complete Unit 5 on Qskills
RW4
● Self-study: complete the
writing assignment and
group work report
(In-class theoretical instruction:
3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
practice exercises in [2], [7]

-Reading text 1: CI: Manage activities and A1.5

Instruct
From Student to
SS:
Employee: A ● Learn to use an outline to
understand how a text is
Difficult Transition
organized
-Reading text 2: ● Ask questions
Making My First ● Group work and practice
Post – College CLO1 ● Self-study: Vocabulary
3 Decision skill: Word forms
CLO3
-Reading skill: (In-class theoretical instruction:
Using an outline 3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
extensive reading in [3], [4],
[5], [6] on the topic of
“Nutional Science” and
practicing writing summaries.
4 -Writing skill: CLO3 CI: Manage activities and A1.2
Writing a summary Instruct A1.5
-Grammar: Reported SS:
speech with the ● Learn the writing process:
 present tense and Brainstorm, plan, write,
shifting tenses peer review, rewrite and
edit.
● Present and do group work
to complete the writing
assignment.
● Review peers’ papers
● Complete Unit 6 on Qskills
RW4
● Self-study: Grammar
section
(In-class theoretical
instruction: 3P; Practice:
1,5P; Online: 2P; Home
Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
practice exercises in [2], [8]
5 -Reading text 1: CLO1 CI: Lecture: Manage activities A1.5
and Instruct
Ocean Discoveries CLO2 SS:
Reading text 2: ● Pairwork: Learn to explain
the purpose of quoted
Alaska’s Pebble
speech
Mine: Minerals vs. ● Individual: Ask questions
● Group work and practice
Nature
● Self-study: Vocabulary
-Reading skill: skill: Word roots
Recognizing facts (In-class theoretical instruction:
and opinions 3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
extensive reading in [3] [4], [5],
[6] on the topic of “Geology”
and practicing writing
summaries.
 -Writing skill: CLO2 CI: Manage activities and A1.3
Writing an opinion CLO3 Instruct A1.5
essay SS:
-Grammar: Adverb ● Pairwork: Analyze the
phrases of reason sample essays
● Individual:
+present adverb phrases of
reason
+Practice the writing process:
Brainstorm, plan, write, peer
review, rewrite and edit.
6 +Complete the writing
assignment.
+Complete Unit 7 on Qskills
RW4
● Self-study: review opinion
essays
(In-class theoretical instruction:
3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
practice exercises in [2], [9]
7 Peer Review CLO1 CI: Manage peer review A1.4
Activity activities and Instruct A1.5
CLO2 SS:
 Groupwork: Conduct
guided peer review
activities (graded
activity)
 Self-study: Complete
the revised paper
(In-class theoretical instruction:
3P; Practice: 1,5P; Online: 2P;
Home Self-study: 9P)
 -Reading text 1: The CI: Manage mid-term test A.2.1
activities and Instruct
Tacoma Narrow A1.5
SS:
Bridge Collapse And  Do the mid-term exam
paper.
The Lesson Learned
 Ask questions
-Reading text 2:  Group work and practice
How To Design A  Self-study: Vocabulary
Student Project That CLO1 skill: Collocations with
8 Benefits The CLO2 prepositions
Developing World (In-class theoretical
CLO3
-Reading skill: instruction: 3P; Practice:
Identifying 1,5P; Online: 2P; Home
counterarguments Self-study: 9P)
and refutations Self-study activities: Doing
extensive reading in [3] [4], [5],
[6] on the topic of
“Engineering” and practicing
writing summaries.
9 -Writing skill: CLO2 CI: Manage activities and A1.5
Writing a persuasive CLO3 Instruct
essay SS:
-Grammar: Adverb  Practice the writing process:
clauses of Brainstorm, plan, write,
concession peer review, rewrite and
edit.
 Complete the writing
assignment.
 Review peers’ papers
 Complete Unit 8 on Qskills
RW4
 Self-study: Grammar section
(In-class theoretical
instruction: 3P; Practice:
 1,5P; Online: 2P; Home
Self-study: 9P)
Self-study activities: Doing
practice exercises in [2], [10]

10. Course rules

- Rules on submitting assessment items:
● Formative assessment papers must be submitted and hard copies must be turned in based on the course schedule.
● Students will suffer from a 10% deduction penalty for 24 hours late.
- Attendance policy: If students are 30 minutes late or leave class 30 minutes early, an absence record will be noted.
- Class attendance and final examination: Students must submit a group work and individual paper to be eligible for the final
examination paper.
- Classroom rules:
● Students should complete the ‘Vocabulary’ section before class attendance.
● A group of 3 students should bring a laptop or tablet (with WiFi connection) to the classroom.
● Electronic devices’ time use in the classroom will be dictated by the Course Instructor.
● Students are encouraged to use English in all class activities.

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