Here's a 20-day curriculum for a C1-level English student aiming to improve fluency, grammar, and pronunciation. Each day includes a mix of speaking practice, grammar refinement, pronunciation drills, and vocabulary building. Adjust based on their specific needs and interests.
Week 1: Foundations
Day 1: Diagnostic and Goal Setting
Activities:
Needs assessment: Discuss specific challenges in fluency, grammar, and pronunciation.
Diagnostic speaking task: Evaluate current fluency and pronunciation.
Writing task: A short essay to identify grammar gaps.
Homework: Watch a TED Talk and note new vocabulary.
Day 2: Pronunciation Basics
Focus: Common C1 pronunciation challenges (e.g., intonation, rhythm).
Activities:
Practice stress in multi-syllable words.
Intonation practice with dialogues.
Homework: Record yourself reading a short paragraph.
Day 3: Grammar – Sentence Variety
Focus: Complex sentence structures.
Activities:
Practice combining sentences using conjunctions and relative clauses.
Error correction exercises.
Homework: Write 5 sentences combining ideas creatively.
Day 4: Fluency – Everyday Conversations
Focus: Natural, spontaneous speech.
Activities:
Role-play: Ordering food, making small talk.
Idioms practice in context.
Homework: Use 3 idioms in a conversation or message.
Day 5: Vocabulary Expansion
Focus: Advanced collocations and expressions.
Activities:
Study thematic vocabulary (e.g., travel, work).
Use collocations in mini dialogues.
Homework: Write 10 sentences using the new vocabulary.
Week 2: Advanced Structures and Real-Life Use
Day 6: Pronunciation – Connected Speech
Focus: Linking sounds, weak forms, and elision.
Activities:
Practice connected speech with common phrases.
Tongue twisters for clarity and speed.
Homework: Watch and mimic a native speaker's speech.
Day 7: Grammar – Conditionals and Hypotheticals
Focus: Mixed conditionals and wish structures.
Activities:
Practice real-life scenarios (e.g., "If I had studied more, I would...").
Error correction in conditional sentences.
Homework: Write a short story using conditionals.
Day 8: Fluency – Storytelling
Focus: Narrating events coherently.
Activities:
Practice describing past events with emphasis on connectors.
Use sequencing words (e.g., first, then, eventually).
Homework: Record yourself narrating a personal story.
Day 9: Grammar – Modals for Precision
Focus: Advanced modal verbs (e.g., might have, should have).
Activities:
Practice expressing certainty, probability, and advice.
Role-play scenarios (e.g., giving advice).
Homework: Write a dialogue using modal verbs.
Day 10: Vocabulary – Descriptive Language
Focus: Adjectives and adverbs for vivid descriptions.
Activities:
Practice describing people, places, and feelings.
Pair work: Guess the scenario based on descriptions.
Homework: Write a paragraph describing a memorable scene.
Week 3: Real-World Application
Day 11: Pronunciation – Sentence Stress and Intonation
Focus: Stress in sentences to convey meaning.
Activities:
Practice stressing key words in sentences.
Contrast neutral vs. emphatic intonation.
Homework: Listen to a podcast and mimic the intonation.
Day 12: Grammar – Phrasal Verbs and Prepositions
Focus: Contextual use of phrasal verbs.
Activities:
Learn and practice 10 common phrasal verbs.
Fill-in-the-blank exercises with prepositions.
Homework: Write a diary entry using 5 phrasal verbs.
Day 13: Fluency – Debate Skills
Focus: Expressing and defending opinions.
Activities:
Debate on simple topics (e.g., "Is technology a blessing or a curse?").
Practice agreeing, disagreeing, and interrupting politely.
Homework: Write your opinion on a controversial topic.
Day 14: Vocabulary – Idioms and Metaphors
Focus: Using idiomatic expressions naturally.
Activities:
Study 10 idioms and their meanings.
Create dialogues using the idioms.
Homework: Use 3 idioms in a text message or conversation.
Day 15: Listening and Speaking Practice
Focus: Active listening and comprehension.
Activities:
Listen to a short podcast and summarize it.
Practice shadowing technique (repeating after the speaker).
Homework: Record your summary of the podcast.
Week 4: Mastery and Review
Day 16: Pronunciation – Accents and Clarity
Focus: Neutralizing strong accents and articulating clearly.
Activities:
Practice minimal pairs (e.g., sheep vs. ship).
Read aloud exercises.
Homework: Practice speaking slowly and clearly for 2 minutes.
Day 17: Grammar – Advanced Tenses
Focus: Passive voice, subjunctive, and future perfect.
Activities:
Rewrite sentences in the passive voice.
Practice creating sentences with the subjunctive.
Homework: Write 5 sentences with advanced tenses.
Day 18: Fluency – Presentations
Focus: Structured, confident speech.
Activities:
Prepare and present a 3-minute talk on a chosen topic.
Focus on fluency and grammar.
Homework: Write an outline for a longer presentation.
Day 19: Vocabulary – Review and Application
Focus: Revisiting and using learned vocabulary.
Activities:
Quiz on vocabulary from the past 3 weeks.
Role-play scenarios applying vocabulary.
Homework: Create a story using 10 key words.
Day 20: Final Review and Feedback
Focus: Consolidating progress and setting future goals.
Activities:
Speaking test to assess fluency, grammar, and pronunciation.
Review feedback and create a post-20-day action plan.
Homework: Continue daily practice!
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