English Language Curriculum for Teacher Licensure Examinations
National Teaching Council (NTC)
Comprehensive Content Framework for JHS & SHS
This structured guide outlines the Content Areas, Competencies, and Assessment Specifications for English Language in Ghana's teacher certification program.
Core Content Areas & Learning Outcomes
1. Oral Language Skills
Key Competencies:
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Accurate production of English phonemes
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Stress and intonation patterns
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Conversational fluency
Practical Applications:
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Minimal pair drills (ship/sheep)
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Role-plays demonstrating intonation changes
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Stress pattern identification in news broadcasts
2. Reading Comprehension
Critical Skills:
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Literal vs. inferential comprehension
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Text structure analysis
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Speed reading techniques
Assessment Focus:
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Summarizing argumentative texts (Level 3)
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Evaluating author's purpose (Level 4)
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Identifying supporting evidence
3. Writing Proficiency
Micro-Skills:
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Punctuation mastery
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Spelling rules (homonyms)
Macro-Skills:
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Essay structure (PEEL method)
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Register adaptation (formal vs. informal)
Performance Tasks:
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Peer-editing exercises
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CV and cover letter writing
4. Grammar Mastery
Core Concepts:
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Tense consistency (sequence of tenses)
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Subject-verb agreement
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Phrasal verb usage
Common Error Areas:
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Dangling modifiers
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Faulty parallelism
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Run-on sentences
Remedial Strategies:
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Error correction drills
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Sentence combining exercises
5. Literary Appreciation
Genre Studies:
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Prose elements (plot, characterization)
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Poetic devices (imagery, rhyme)
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Dramatic techniques (dialogue, stage directions)
Critical Analysis:
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Unseen passage interpretation
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Comparative literature studies
Assessment Blueprint
| Content Area | L1 (Recall) | L2 (Skills) | L3 (Analysis) | L4 (Evaluation) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Language | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| Reading | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 20 |
| Writing | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 20 |
| Grammar | 4 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 30 |
| Literature | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 |
| Total | 15% | 25% | 30% | 30% | 100% |
Pedagogical Approaches
Differentiated Instruction
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Kinesthetic Learners: Grammar charades
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Visual Learners: Mind-mapping essay outlines
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Auditory Learners: Podcast analysis
Technology Integration
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Flipgrid for oral assessments
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Grammarly for writing feedback
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Digital annotation tools for close reading
Classroom-Ready Resources
Lesson Plan Ideas
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"Tense Detective" - Error-hunting in news articles
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"Literary Device Scavenger Hunt" - Identifying metaphors in song lyrics
Assessment Tools
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Analytic rubrics for essay grading
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Fluency rating scales for oral presentations
Intervention Strategies
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Jigsaw reading for struggling learners
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Sentence frames for ELL students
Key Takeaways
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Communicative Focus: 60% assessment weight on application/analysis
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Error Prevention: Targeted grammar mini-lessons
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Cultural Relevance: Ghanaian literature integration