NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNICEAL
EDUCATION (NBTE)
COURSE MATERIAL
FOR
Course Code & Title: GNS 101: USE OF
ENGLISH
Programme: NATIONAL DIPLOMA
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COPYRIGHT PAGE
© 2021 National Board for Technical Education. Kaduna, Nigeria
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without the prior permission of the Executive Secretary National Board for
Technical Education, Kaduna, Nigeria.
First published 2021 in Nigeria.
ISBN: XXXXXXXXXX
Published and printed in Nigeria by:
Gamji Press & Publishers Ltd,
Kaduna, Nigeria.
Tel: +234 XXXXXXXXXXXXX
E-mail: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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COURSE WRITERS/DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Subject Matter Expert Anumudu Kenneth Uzoma
Subject Matter Reviewer Dr. Adaji, E.A.
Language Reviewer Patricia Sarah Achi
Instructional Designer Dr Fatima S. Kabir
Graphics Designers Jibril Jabir Abdulkadir
Ibrahim Umar Shuaibu
Abubakar Balarabe
Editor Dr. Ajoge Naseer Sanni
Dr. Fatima Shehu Kabir
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT PAGE ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
COURSE WRITERS/DEVELOPMENT TEAM .....................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... iv
COURSE STUDY GUIDE ........................................................................................................ v
i. Course Information ......................................................................................................... v
ii. Course Introduction And Description ............................................................................. v
iii. Course Prerequisites .................................................................................................... v
iv. Course Learning Resources ........................................................................................ vi
v. Course Outcomes ........................................................................................................ vi
vi. Activities To Meet Course Objectives ........................................................................ vi
vii. Time (To Complete Syllabus/Course).......................................................................vii
viii. Grading Criteria and Scale ........................................................................................vii
ix. Links to Open Education Resources ........................................................................viii
COURSE STRUCTURE AND OUTLINE ............................................................................... 1
STUDY MODULE 1 ................................................................................................................. 5
Study Session 1 .................................................................................................................. 5
Study Session 2 ................................................................................................................ 10
Study Session 3 ................................................................................................................ 21
STUDY MODULE 2: .............................................................................................................. 30
Study Session 1 ................................................................................................................ 30
Study Session 2 ................................................................................................................ 35
STUDY MODULE 3: .............................................................................................................. 42
Study Session 1 ................................................................................................................ 42
Study Session 2 ................................................................................................................ 84
Study Session 3 .............................................................................................................. 100
Study Session 4 .............................................................................................................. 110
STUDY MODULE 4 ............................................................................................................. 117
Study Session 1 .............................................................................................................. 117
Study Session 2: ............................................................................................................. 122
STUDY MODULE 5 ............................................................................................................. 126
Study Session 1 .............................................................................................................. 126
Study Session 2 .............................................................................................................. 131
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COURSE STUDY GUIDE
i. Course Information
Course Code: GNS 101
Course Title: Use of English
Credit Units: 2 Credit Units
Year of Study: One
Semester: First
ii. Course Introduction and Description
Use of English (GNS 101) is a course that aims to provide you with the
language skills, which will enable you to cope effectively with the challenges of
your courses, to use English Language effectively in the practice of their chosen
profession as well as interact with others in the society.
The course is a two-credit unit course that is designed for you to take in the first
semester, at the 100 level. The course is available to all of you who have
registered for any ODFeL programme in Nigerian Polytechnics. It is the first
part of the four-credit unit courses planned for an entire year. The second
course, which is GNS 102, will be taught in the second semester. The materials
in this course guide have been developed to suit the distance-learning mode.
iii. Course Prerequisites
You are required to have the following to be qualified for this course.
1. UTME score
2. Five credits in O’ level certificate including English Language
3. Basic Computer Operations proficiency
4. Online interaction proficiency
5. Web 2.0 and Social media interactive skill
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iv. Course Learning Resources
Adaji, E.A. and Ugwuanyi, E. N. (2012). Communication in English for
Students. Kaduna: Orient Press
Mohammed, M.K. and Anumudu, K.U. (2020). A Handbook of English for
Tertiary Schools. Kaduna: Sonia
Onjewu, M.A. (2020). Essential English for All Students. Kaduna: Sunjo Global
Ugwuanyi, E.N. (2016) Communication Skills in English: A Companion Guide
for Students. Kaduna:
v. Course Outcome
On completion of this course, the you should be able to:
1. Discuss the nature of language,
2. Identify the basic rules of grammar,
3. Explain the qualities of paragraphs,
4. Apply the appropriate study skills,
5. Analyse literary works in English.
vi. Activities to Meet Course Objectives
The aim of this Course Material is to meet the objectives of the course. Hence,
to complete the course, you are required to listen to the courseware, watch
online videos and read set of books and other relevant materials that you may
lay your hands on. The course is online, therefore, there is going to be a lot of
online interaction in this class through the learning management system.
Assignments and further activities shall be given individually as well as in
groups. All assignments are compulsory and must be submitted at the times
slated. Completion and timely submission of assignments will also serve as part
of your assessment.
I wish you good luck.
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vii. Time (To Complete Syllabus/Course)
Duration of tutoring is 13 Weeks and you shall be expected to put in a minimum
of 2-hour study time weekly.
viii. Grading Criteria and Scale
Grades will be based on the following:
Individual Assignments/Test (CA 1, 2 etc.) 20%
Group Assignment 10%
Practical / Projects (GCA 1, 2 etc.) 10%
Semester Examination 60%
Total 100%
ix. Grading Scale
The unified grading system to be applied in scoring all course work, examinations, project,
etc. is as stated on table below:
Marked Range Letter Grade Weight
Above 75 A 4.0
70 – 74 AB 3.5
65 – 69 B 3.25
60 – 64 BC 3.0
55 – 59 C 2.75
50 – 54 CD 2.5
45 – 49 D 2.25
40 – 44 E 2.0
Below 40 F 0.00
Please Contact NBTE for the Complete Courseware
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