Contemporary English Usage

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scope and evolution of contemporary English usage.
2. Identify and analyze different varieties of English, including British, American, and Nigerian English.
3. Apply grammatical rules and stylistic conventions in both formal and informal contexts.
4. Evaluate the appropriateness of diction and register in various communication scenarios.
5. Develop effective writing and speaking skills for academic, professional, and social purposes.

13 weeks, about 80 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Contemporary English Usage

   • Unit 1: The Confines of Contemporary English · 3 hours

     Read the unit introduction to understand the scope of contemporary English usage.. Examine the differences between Old English, Modern English, and Contemporary English.. Define contemporary English usage and its rules..

   • Unit 2: History of Contemporary English Usage · 3 hours

     Explore the history of English language philology, grammar, semantics, and phonology.. Identify changes and developmental patterns of usage that resulted in new grammaticality..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Contemporary English Usage

   • Unit 3: Categorization of English in Usage/Pedagogy · 4 hours

     Understand the reasons for categorizing English language teaching and learning.. Recognize the limits in each categorization (ENL, ESL, EFL, ELF).. Identify the appropriate variety for each situation..

   • Unit 4: English Language and Standardization · 3 hours

     Understand the meaning of Standard English.. Compare English language use in different countries to British Standard English.. Appreciate the existence of national standards of English in various countries..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Contemporary English Usage

   • Unit 5: Competence and Performance · 3 hours

     Understand the theories of langue and parole.. Understand the theories of competence and performance.. Distinguish between the two theories and their implications in sociolinguistics..

   • Unit 1: Varieties in Contemporary English · 3 hours

     Understand the reasons behind the varieties of English in use.. Distinguish the occurrence of variety based on subject matter, medium, attitude, and interference..

4. Week 4Module 2: English Language Varieties and Usage

   • Unit 2: British English Varieties · 4 hours

     Appreciate the major linguistic thrust of British English.. Understand the characteristics of Received Pronunciation (RP).. Recognize the existence of King's/Queen's English as a part of BrE..

   • Unit 3: American English Structure · 3 hours

     Trace the origin of American English variety.. Understand the emergence of General America (GA) as a variety.. Discuss the major characteristics of American English..

5. Week 5Module 2: English Language Varieties and Usage

   • Unit 4: Differences between British English (BrE) & American English (AmE) · 4 hours

     Identify each variety when used in texts.. Distinguish between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE) in contemporary usage.. Apply each variety consistently in speech and writing..

   • Unit 5: Australian/New Zealand English Varieties · 3 hours

     Recognize Australian and New Zealand English dialects.. Understand the unique markers of these dialects.. Distinguish the two dialects from other dialects of English..

6. Week 6Module 3: Contemporary Nigerian English

   • Unit 1: Form & Function in Contemporary English · 4 hours

     Understand the concept of form and function in Contemporary English.. Distinguish between form and function in Contemporary English.. Recognize the proper use of forms and function in Contemporary English..

   • Unit 2: Contemporary Nigerian English (NE) · 3 hours

     Understand Nigerian English as a form of contemporary English usage.. Describe the nature of usage in Nigerian English.. Distinguish Nigerian English from other English usage..

7. Week 7Module 3: Contemporary Nigerian English

   • Unit 3: Popular Nigerian English (PNE) · 4 hours

     Understand what Popular Nigerian English means.. Recognize that Nigerians use PNE commonly every day.. Know the various forms and structures of PNE..

   • Unit 5: Select English Language Varieties in Africa · 3 hours

     Recognize African English dialects.. Prove the existence of such varieties.. Use the varieties within the limits of their acceptance..

8. Week 8Module 4: Contemporary English Speech/Writing

   • Unit 2: Contemporary Speech Forms in English · 4 hours

     Understand the concept of correct speech in Contemporary English.. Discuss rhetoric and public speaking as forms of contemporary speech.. Apply acceptable forms of speech in their use of Contemporary English..

   • Unit 3: Grammaticality and Ungrammaticality · 3 hours

     Understand the rules guiding the spelling of English words.. Identify the correct spelling forms of Standard English.. Distinguish Standard English spellings from other varieties..

9. Week 9Module 4: Contemporary English Speech/Writing

   • Unit 4: Linguistic Meaning and Speaker Meaning · 4 hours

     Understand the importance of linguistic meaning in contemporary English.. Recognize the differences between linguistic and speaker meaning in English.. Apply the acceptable structures of English in individual usage..

   • Unit 1: Use & Usage in Contemporary English · 3 hours

     Understand what is meant by 'Use' and 'Usage' in English.. Understand that individual language style must be within the confines of general use.. Realize that wrong usage affects proper communication..

10. Week 10Module 4: Contemporary English Speech/Writing

    • Unit 5: Business English/ Business Writing · 4 hours

      Understand that business English is a unique register in English.. Distinguish business writing from other types of writing.. Use the forms of language acceptable in business writings..

11. Week 11Module 5: Contemporary Forms of Usage

    • Unit 2: Tools of Usage 1: English Vocabulary · 4 hours

      Understand that English language has a vast vocabulary structure.. Understand the rules for using English vocabulary.. Use collocations appropriately in speech and writing..

12. Week 12Module 5: Contemporary Forms of Usage

    • Unit 3: Tools of Usage 2: Idioms, Phrasal Verbs and Catch Phrases · 4 hours

      Understand the meaning and uses of clichés.. Differentiate between idiomatic and normal meaning of clichés.. Use idiomatic expressions correctly in speech and writing..

13. Week 13Module 5: Contemporary Forms of Usage

    • Unit 4: Tools of Usage 3: Diction · 4 hours

      Understand the meaning of diction.. Know the relationship between diction and register.. Appreciate the importance of diction in contemporary usage..

    • Unit 5: Internet English/Web Writing · 3 hours

      Recognize the existence of Internet English.. Understand the characteristics of Internet English.. Appreciate the importance of English in Internet business..