TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
Dear Student
Welcome to Principles for English Language Use – PLU411S. It is of utmost importance that you, as a student,
familiarise yourself with the content of this letter to understand how the course is structured and what will
be expected of you during the course of this semester.
The course assignments are to be submitted via the eLearning mode, a mode that enables you as a student
to fully engage with the content and has limitless access to instructors and relevant course material. All
assignments will be conducted via the eLearning platform known as Moodle.
Due Dates of Assignments are provided on Moodle as well as in the Distance Education Manual available on
COLL website. Test Dates are provided on the Test Information Sheet also available on COLL website, under
COLL MANUALS.
Please note:
Campus activities that involve physical contact, whether in a meeting, laboratory, assessment,
tutorial/lecture will be held under strict COVID‐19 National Health and Safety Protocols. Students not
adhering to such National Regulations, i.e. wearing masks correctly to cover both the mouth and nose,
social distancing of at least 1.5m, hand sanitising and refraining from campus activities when
experiencing COVID‐19 symptoms, will not be allowed into a venue.
Good luck with this course and with your studies.
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
Course Name:
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
USE Course Code:
PLU411S
Department:
Languages
Course Duration:
ONE SEMESTER
NQF Level and Credit:
NQF LEVEL 4
Your marker‐tutor for PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE:
Dr Julia Indongo
Tel: + +264 61 207 2019
Dr Rauha Nekongo
Tel: + +264 61 207 2019
E‐mail: rnekongo@nust.na
E‐mail: jindongo@nust.na
Ms Cecilia Sibalatani
Tel: + +264 61 207 2733
csibalatani@nust.na
Ms Beatrice Mutonga
Tel: + +264 61 207 2259
E‐mail: bmutonga@nust.na
Mr Eben Kalola
Tel.: +264 81 493 9082
E‐mail: kalolaeben@gmail.com / ekalola@nust.na
Dr Saara Shipale
Tel.: + 264 81 244 1774
E‐mail: ssmungungu@gmail.com /
shipale@nust.na
Ms Ndalipo Ndatyapo
Tel: + +264814132337
ndndatyapo@nust.na
Your content editor for Principles of English Language Use
(PLU411S)
Ms Cecilia Sibalatani
Dr Rauha Nekongo
Dr Julia Indongo
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
COLL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
COLL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
announcement
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/coll‐
COLL STUDENT SUPPORT:
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/student‐support
E‐LEARNING:
n/ ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION:
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:
http://elearning.nust.na/elear
collassignments@nust.na
Information Manual for Distance Education Students
(DE
Manual)
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/about‐coll
NUST COLL VACATION SCHOOL:
TBC
TIMETABLE:
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/about‐coll
FACE TO FACE CLASSES:
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/about‐coll
COLL FACEBOOK:
1/ MOODLE PLATFORM:
ENROLLMENT KEY:
NUST’s Policies and Regulations:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/55448867124820
http://www.nust.na/?q=centres/coll/about‐coll
PLU411S
Examination dates:
http://www.nust.na/?q=download/annual‐
reports‐ documents
To be announced on the NUST webpage
MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE (MOOC):
http://tlu.nust.na/survey/index.php/419328/lang‐en
Username:
nust
Password:
123
COLL STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
NUST Writing Unit:
NUST Mathematics Tutoring Centre:
TURNITIN:
061 – 2072383
writingunit@nust.
na
061 – 2072523/2072913
http://mathstutoring.nust.
na
www.turnitin.com
3
TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
STATEMENT ABOUT ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
All staff and students of Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), upon signing their employment
contracts and registration forms, commit themselves to abide by the policies and rules of the institution. The
core activity of NUST is learning and in this respect academic honesty and integrity is very important to ensure
that learning is valid, reliable and credible.
NUST therefore does not condone any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating on tests
and assessments, amongst other such practices. NUST requires students to always do their own assignments
and to produce their own academic work, unless given a group assignment.
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
• Using the ideas, words, works or inventions of someone else as if it is your own work.
• Using the direct words of someone else without quotation marks, even if it is referenced.
• Copying from writings (books, articles, webpages, other students’ assignments, etc.), published or
unpublished, without referencing.
• Syndication of a piece of work, all or part of an assignment, by a group of students, unless the
assignment was a legitimate group assignment.
• The borrowing and use of another person’s assignment, with or without their knowledge or
permission.
• Infringing copyright, including documents copied or cut and pasted from the internet.
• Asking someone else to prepare an assignment for you or to write or sit an assessment for you,
whether this is against payment or not.
• Re‐submitting work done already for another course or programme as new work, so‐called self‐
plagiarism.
• Bringing notes into an examination or test venue, regardless of whether the notes were used to
copy or not.
• Receiving any outside assistance in any form or shape during an examination or test.
All forms of academic dishonesty are viewed as misconduct under NUST Student Rules and Regulations.
Students who make themselves guilty of academic dishonesty will be brought before a Disciplinary Committee
and may be suspended from studying for a certain time or may be expelled. All students who are found guilty
of academic dishonesty shall have an appropriate endorsement on their academic record, which will never be
erased.
I, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………(full name and surname), hereby
acknowledge that I have read and understood the Statement about Academic Honesty and Integrity and
that I will abide by the rules and regulations as outlined within the statement.
Signature of the student:……………………………………………
Date: ……………………………………………
4
TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
INSTRUCTIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENTS
I.
Each SECTION starts on a new page and should be numbered correctly.
II.
Ensure the line spacing is 1.5 or double spacing (2).
III.
Use the theme font style of “Times New Roman” and font size of “12”.
IV.
Consult your study guide for familiarization with the units covered in
the assignment.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
•
You will be doing two (2) assignments, each weighting 30 % towards your CA mark. Due dates are on the
COLL website.
•
You will write one (1) compulsory test and one (1) supplementary test, which will replace the lowest or
missed test mark, weighting 40 % towards your CA mark. The test dates are indicated on the COLL Test
Schedule. Also note that the test dates are subject to change. Students should therefore consult the COLL
Test Schedule on COLL’s website regularly.
•
You will write a final examination at the end of the semester, a (3) hour paper.
Your final mark: (40 %) CA and (60 %) Examination
Examination Admission
Apart from the regulations hereunder, you should also study your COLL Yearbook 2022, which contains important
information and regulations about admission to the examination.
• You need at least a 40 % semester mark to write the examination
• The final mark is made up of a 40:60 ratio (40 % of the semester mark and 60 % of the examination mark)
• A final mark of at least 50 % (calculated from the semester mark and examination) has to be obtained to pass the
course
Students who miss the assignment due date or contact their COLL Support Officer, Mr Johnson Mutirua, Tel No.
+264 61 207 2082 and e‐mail: jmutirua@nust.na immediately! Do not waste time to contact the marker‐tutor
who cannot help with admin related questions
Page 6 of 16
TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
Student Notice:
•
Please ensure that COLL has your correct cell phone number, in order to avoid delays in receiving critical
information that is communicated via sms. Please ensure that you log onto Moodle regularly!!
•
For information pertaining to your Student Support Officer, kindly consult the Distance Education Pocket
Guide on the COLL website (COLL Announcements – COLL Manuals).
ASSIGNMENT 1
This assignment covers the following topics:
•
Reading and Comprehension
•
Grammar
INSTRUCTIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENT 01
Read all the instructions and the texts carefully before commencing with your assignment. Read the questions
carefully as well and make sure that you understand what you are asked before you set about answering the
questions.
SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION
Read the following text and answer the questions that follow.
The importance of English
1. We know that learning to speak English can be tough. It takes time and effort to learn to speak fluently.
However, we can clearly see the importance of English when we look at our global economy and the key role
that English plays in almost every part of your global society. So, in the past people used to ask each other
“why are you learning English?”. Today, a better question to ask is” Why are you not learning English? In this
article we’ve put together the top reasons to learn English so that you can remember why you started learning
English and also find some inspiration to continue.
2. English is the lingua franca of business, politics and science. If you want to understand these fields, or even
work in one of them, you’ll need to speak English. English is by far the most popular language to learn as a
second language and is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
3. Being able to speak English will open up many employment opportunities for you. You are more likely to be
able to work in a global company (Facebook, Google, Microsoft) if you speak English. There are jobs that
require the applicant to speak at least the local language and English. Obviously, if your English isn’t good
enough – you won’t get these jobs!
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
4. Being fluent in English could also mean that you are more likely to be chosen to attend corporate events
abroad. If you work in a local company that doesn’t require English and they want to send someone to a
conference internationally, you are the person that they will chose. This might even lead to a promotion.
5. Speaking English is a skill that might set you apart from the other applicants and this means that you can ask
for a higher salary. As mentioned above, you can also apply for global companies if you speak English and the
wages are usually higher at these companies.
6. If you speak one language, you can find friends or a boyfriend/girlfriend from the pool of people who speak
that language. If you speak English as well, the pool of people gets a lot bigger! If you want to make friends
from other countries, including expats in your own country, it is important for you to learn to speak English.
There is research that suggests that apps like Tinder and OKCupid are increasing the number of intercultural
relationships. So, if you’ve been unlucky in love or friendship in your native language – learning English might
be just what you need to meet people who are interesting to you.
7. Learning about another culture is inevitable when you learn English. Many aspects of the English speaking
countries culture are unique, interesting and beautiful and can only be discovered if you speak English. You
can also understand reactions to your culture a little better if you can see the perspective of people from other
cultures. Understanding different cultures can prevent arguments and confusion when you interact with
people from these cultures, which is a big benefit.
8. English is the language of travel too. In most places around the world, you’ll be able to book hotels, tours,
guides, and find restaurants if you speak English. If you go backpacking and stay in hostels you’ll be able to
meet other travelers and make friends in English too. English is the language that people most often use if
they are in a foreign place and they don’t know the local language. This means that you’ll be able to help
tourists in your home country and ask for help when you’re abroad too.
9. If you speak English, you can study, work and live comfortably in other countries. It isn’t always easy to get a
long term visa for countries like the US, Ireland, the UK or Australia. If you speak English, you can apply for
University in these countries and get your visa that way. This is true for a lot of European countries also where
a lot of universities offer their Master programmes in English. So, it is important for you to learn to speak
English if you want to live and study abroad and take advantage of the opportunities in other countries.
10. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons that learning to speak English is important and valuable. You can
get a better job and higher salary at home if you learn English and you have thousands of opportunities to not
only see, but be a part of, other cultures around the world. If those reasons aren’t enough to help you realize
the importance of English, just imagine meeting your future best friend or partner and finding out that they
don’t know your native language!
https://absolute‐english.com/the‐importance‐of‐english‐7‐great‐reasons‐to‐learn‐english‐today%E2%80%8B/
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
Reading comprehension questions
(25)
1. What was the author’s main reason for writing this article?
(4)
2. In your own words what is meant by the term English is the lingua franca?
(3)
3. Mention two reasons why learning English increases job prospects?
(4)
4. What is the benefit of possessing English speaking skills as a job prospect?
(2)
5. Intercultural communication refers to the communication between people from two different cultures. How does
learning English establish peace and harmony between people from two different cultures?
(4)
6. What does research suggest according to paragraph 6.
(2)
7. Indicate whether the following statements are True or False:
7.1 Travelling is so much easier if one understands English!
(2)
7.2 English increases more friendship and dating opportunities
(2)
7.3 English is by far not the most popular language to learn as a second language and is not one of the most
widely spoken languages in the world
(2)
SECTION B: GRAMMAR
[25]
Read the following article and answer the questions that follow
Black Friday
1. The day after Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday shopping season. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday,
so the day after is a Friday. This day has come to be known as Black Friday. It has been the busiest shopping
day of the year since 2005.
2. Most stores offer great deals on Black Friday. They open their doors in the wee hours of the morning. They
try to attract shoppers with big discounts. Some items like TVs are much cheaper than usual. Stores may even
lose money on these items. They hope that shoppers will buy gifts for other people while they are in the store.
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
3. Black Friday are a great time to get good deals. The problem is that there are not enough low‐priced items to
go around. Each store may only have a few. These items are in high demand. People stands in long lines to get
4. such great deals. They may line up hours before a store opens. They may be hoping to get a low price on a TV
or laptop, but not everyone who want one will get one. Some people leave disappointed.
5. The situation can be tense. Some Black Friday event have been violent. Large, eager crowds have trampled
workers. Fights have broken out over toys or people cutting in line. People have shot one another over parking
spots. But most Black Friday events is safe and fun. Still, if you plan on going, expect large crowds and a bit of
shoving.
6. So where does the name "Black Friday" come from? It was first used in Philadelphia in the 1950s. The police
called this day Black Friday because of the heavy traffic it drew. In the 1960s, stores tried to rename the day
"Big Friday." It did not stick. The name "Black Friday" continued to spread across the country. It seems that it
is here to stay.
7. Now people all over the country take part in the event known as Black Friday. It is even spreading to other
parts of the world. Stores have held Black Friday events in the U.K., Australia, and Brazil since 2012. In Costa
Rica Black Friday is known as "Viernes Negro." And in Mexico, stores offer an annual weekend of discounts.
They call it "El Buen Fin," which means "the good weekend" in Spanish. I guess the language of savings is
universal.
https://absolute‐english.com/reading‐articles‐in‐english/
1. Identify the parts of speech of the words in bold found in paragraph 1 and 2.










(10)
The
Thanksgiving
Is
Known
it
Offer
They
Wee
Much
On
2. Correct the subject verb agreement errors found in the underlined sentences in paragraph 3 and 4.

Black Friday are a great time to get good deals.

People stands in long lines to get such great deals.

They may be hoping to get a low price on a TV or laptop, but not everyone who want one will get one.

Some Black Friday event have been violent.
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(5)

TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
But most Black Friday events is safe and fun.
3. Identify the tense of the sentence below.
(2)
It was first used in Philadelphia in the 1950s.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Present Continuous Tense
Simple Present Tense
Past simple Tense
Past Continuous Tense
4. Identify the tense of the sentence below.
(2)
Stores have held Black Friday events in the U.K., Australia, and Brazil since 2012.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Present Perfect Tense
Simple Present Tense
Past simple Tense
Past Continuous Tense
5. Identify the tense of the sentence below.
(2)
Now people all over the country take part in the event known as Black Friday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Present Continuous Tense
Simple Present Tense
Past simple Tense
Past Continuous Tense
6. Change the sentence below in bold into the Negative form
(2)
I guess the language of savings is universal.
7. Change the sentence below in bold into the Question form:
They hope that shoppers will buy gifts for other people while they are in the store.
TOTAL MARKS FOR ASSIGNMENT 01: 50
END OF ASSIGNMENT 1
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(2)
TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
ASSIGNMENT 2
This assignment covers the following topics:
•
Essay and Paragraph Analysis
•
Essay Writing
INSTRUCTIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENT 02
Read all the instructions and the texts carefully before commencing with your assignment. Read the questions
carefully as well and make sure that you understand what you are asked before you set about answering the
questions.
ASSIGNMENT 02
[50 marks]
SECTION A: ESSAY ANALYSIS
(20)
QUESTION 1: ESSAY AND PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Information Technology in schools
1. Education means considerably more than just teaching a student to read, write, and manipulate numbers.
Computers, the Internet, and advanced electronic devices are becoming essential in everyday life and have
changed the way information is gathered. How this new technology is utilized in the curriculum and managed
by teachers will have an important role to play in widening the resource and knowledge base for all students.
Technology affects the way teachers teach and students learn. To make the best use of information technology
(IT), schools need a workable plan to fully integrate it into all aspects of the curriculum, so students are taught
how, why, and when to use technology to further enhance their learning.
2. If a school does not have a clear plan of how and why it wishes to implement IT, then it runs the risk of wasting
money. In schools today, nearly all classrooms have access to a computer. However, many schools mistake
this as incorporating information technology into the curriculum. School staff need to research what IT is
available and what would best serve the school's purpose, not simply purchase the latest equipment. There
should be a policy stating how IT is going to assist pupils' development and what teachers want pupils to
achieve (Reksten, 2000). Staff members need to be clear about what they want IT to do for them before they
can start incorporating it into their lessons.
3. The only way information technology is going to be useful to schools is if all staff members are well‐informed
and fully supported. It is the principal's responsibility, and should be part of the school's plan, to ensure that
all staff are consulted about the changes, and that the change is carefully organised. Some teachers may be
resistant, especially if they have not had much experience with computers, so training teachers is essential in
implementing IT into the school curriculum. Staff members must feel involved in the process of acquiring
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TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
technology, and in learning how to operate it, in order for them to increase their confidence in using IT as a
curriculum tool. Teachers are only going to be able to incorporate IT into their lessons if they are competent
users themselves (Reksten, 2000).
4. In addition, teachers need to be aware that IT within the classroom is extremely flexible, but that they need
to plan what purpose IT serves in each lesson. The skills a child learns are the important part of any lesson,
and it is the same with technology. IT needs to be used and understood in all subjects in the same way as the
ability to read is necessary for all subjects, and “must be used across the curriculum, in the same way that a
pen and pencil are used in most subject areas” (Ager, 2000, p. 15). Henceforth, the best way to plan the use
of IT in the classroom is to approach it as simply a learning tool that is more advanced (and more exciting) than
the traditional pen and paper.
5. It is vitally important for students to be taught the strategies for using IT. Children also need to be fully
informed about the capabilities of IT before being asked to use it. Pupils should be aware that the contexts in
which they use IT will change, they need to know what the appropriate use of IT is and what is not. Whilst it is
important that children learn to use IT effectively, teachers must emphasise that IT is not always suitable.
According to Apter (1968), the danger is that the “computer dehumanizes people and inevitably leads them
to act like machines themselves” (p. 58). Teachers must make sure they plan to use variety in their lessons.
Too much IT instruction may be just as harmful to a child as not enough.
6. The usefulness of IT in the classroom, as with any learning tool, depends on the innovation and imagination of
the teacher. It is imperative, though, that the implementation of IT into a school is carefully planned. The
current information explosion makes it essential that IT be used extensively within the classroom so children
know how to use IT appropriately and effectively. Teachers must, therefore, be fully informed about what
kinds of IT are available and whether or not they are appropriate for classroom use school boards and teachers
must therefore ensure that all staff have a clear plan about what they want their students to achieve through
IT. The appropriate incorporation of IT into the classroom will broaden the minds and skills of students,
allowing them to be better prepared for further technological advances.
https://owll.massey.ac.nz/
1. Identify and write the thesis statement of this essay in paragraph 1
(4)
2. Identify and write the topic sentence of paragraph 2.
(2)
3. Identify and write any two‐supporting sentence of paragraph 3.
(2)
4.
(2)
Identify and write two transitions used in in paragraph 4
5. What is the main idea expressed in paragraph 5?
(4)
6.
(3)
Identify and correct the comma splice in paragraph 5.
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7.
TUTORIAL LETTER
PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE
SEMESTER 1/2023
PLU411S
Identify and correct the run‐ on sentence in paragraph 6.
SECTION B: ESSAY WRITING
(3)
(30)
Write an essay of 250 – 300 words on one of the topics below:
1. My Ambition in life
2. Explain your personal feelings on marriage.
3. Discuss the society of tomorrow.
4. Describe traits that make an influential person.
5. Explain the Effects of divorce in children’s lives.
TOTAL MARKS FOR ASSIGNMENT 02: 50
END OF ASSIGNMENT 2
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