Students will explore fascinating nonfiction topics in science, history, geography, and pop culture while improving their English reading comprehension. Each week, we will dive into a new topic, from the mysteries of the ancient pyramids to the cutting-edge world of renewable energy.

What will be taught? Students will develop strong nonfiction reading skills, focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension strategies, and critical thinking. The course is designed to prepare ESL learners for middle school exams while broadening their understanding of the world. There is a focus on vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking and discussion.

What topics will we cover?  We’ll cover a wide range of topics, including:

Week of Sept 2: The Great Wall of China: Engineering Marvel and Historical Monument
Reading: Article on the construction and history of the Great Wall.
Activities: Timeline creation, vocabulary building, and comprehension questions.

Week of Sept 9: Major Rivers of the World: Lifelines of Civilizations
Reading: Article on the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze rivers.
Activities: Map labeling, vocabulary building, and comprehension exercises.

Week of Sept 16: The Water Cycle and Earth's Vital Resources
Reading: Article on the water cycle and its importance to life on Earth.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a class discussion on water conservation.

Week of Sept 23: The History of the Internet: Connecting the World
Reading: Article on the development and evolution of the internet.
Activities: Timeline creation, vocabulary exercises, and comprehension questions.

Week of Sept 30: The Industrial Revolution: Changing the World
Reading: Article on how the Industrial Revolution transformed society.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a class discussion on technological advancements.

Week of Oct 7: The Seven Wonders of the World: Ancient and Modern Marvels
Reading: Article on the Seven Wonders of the World, with a focus on ancient, but a glimpse of modern.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a creative project or writing about designing a new wonder.

Week of Oct 14: Photosynthesis: The Powerhouse of Life
Reading: Article explaining the process of photosynthesis and its role in the ecosystem.
Activities: Diagram labeling, vocabulary exercises, and comprehension questions.

Week of Oct 21: The Evolution of Smartphones: From Bricks to Pocket Computers
Reading: Article on the history and advancement of mobile phones.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension practice, and a class discussion on the impact of smartphones on society.

Week of Oct 28: World War II: A Global Conflict
Reading: Article on the key events and impact of World War II.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a debate on the causes and consequences of war.

Week of Nov 4: Earthquakes and Fault Lines: Understanding the Earth's Movements
Reading: Article on the causes of earthquakes and where they occur.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a class discussion on earthquake safety.

Week of Nov 11: The Solar System: Exploring Our Cosmic Neighborhood
Reading: Article on the planets of the solar system and their unique characteristics.
Activities: Planet identification, vocabulary building, and comprehension practice.

Week of Nov 18: Global Impact of K-Pop: Cultural Phenomenon
Reading: Article on the rise and global influence of K-Pop music.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a debate on the cultural significance of pop music.

Week of Nov 25: The Renaissance: A Time of Rebirth in Art and Science
Reading: Article on the cultural and scientific achievements of the Renaissance.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and Renaissance inventions.

Week of Dec 2: The Amazon Rainforest: Biodiversity and Environmental Importance
Reading: Article on the Amazon Rainforest and its significance to the global ecosystem.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and discussion on rainforest conservation.

Week of Dec 9: Endangered Species: Protecting Our Planet's Wildlife
Reading: Article on endangered species and global conservation efforts.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension questions, and a group project on animal conservation.

Week of Dec 16: Famous Comic Book Heroes: From Page to Screen
Reading: Article on the popularity of comic book superheroes and their transition to movies.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a creative project on designing a new superhero.

Week of Dec 23: Ancient Egyptian Civilization: Pyramids, Mummies, and Daily Life
Reading: Article on the culture, achievements, and mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a creative look at how to build a pyramid.

Week of Dec 30: Mount Everest: Climbing the World's Tallest Mountain
Reading: Article on the challenges and achievements of climbing Mount Everest.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a creative writing assignment on an imaginary expedition to Everest.

Week of Jan 6: The Human Digestive System: How Our Bodies Process Food
Reading: Article on the human digestive system and its functions.
Activities: Diagram labeling, vocabulary exercises, and comprehension questions.

Week of Jan 13: The Olympic Games: A History of Unity and Competition
Reading: Article on the history and significance of the Olympic Games.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and research/discussion about the importance of the Olympics.

Week of Jan 20: The Industrial Revolution: Changing the World
Reading: Article on how the Industrial Revolution transformed society.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a class discussion on technological advancements.

Week of Jan 27: Climate Change: Understanding Our Impact on the Planet
Reading: Article on the causes and effects of climate change.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and look into environmental conservation efforts.

Week of Feb 3: Dinosaurs: Giants of the Past
Reading: Article on the discovery of dinosaurs and theories about their extinction.
Activities: Vocabulary exercises, comprehension practice, and a creative writing assignment on a day in the life of a dinosaur.

Week of Feb 10: The History of the Internet: Connecting the World
Reading: Article on the development and evolution of the internet.
Activities: Timeline creation, vocabulary exercises, and comprehension questions.

Week of Feb 17: Fossil Fuels: The Good, the Bad, and the Future
Reading: Article on the extraction, use, and environmental impact of fossil fuels.
Activities: Vocabulary building, comprehension questions, and a class discussion on alternatives to fossil fuels.



How do we teach? 
We’ll guide students through the material using a combination of lecture, visual aids, and interactive activities. We’ll read together, pause to discuss key points, and work on comprehension exercises that encourage critical thinking.

What's our teaching style? Our teaching style is interactive and student-centered. We aim to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable participating, asking questions, and sharing their thoughts.

How much will learners get to interact with the teacher? Learners will have plenty of opportunities to interact with the teacher and each other. We’ll engage in discussions, play games related to the week’s topic, and watch short video clips to enhance understanding. I encourage students to ask questions and share their ideas throughout the class.

This course offers a dynamic and engaging approach to mastering nonfiction reading skills, making learning both effective and enjoyable.