Term 1 Curriculum | Global Academic Pass (GAP)

Key Points

Every lesson is built on the OREO template (Opinion → Reason → Example → Opinion Restated).
Each week adds one Key Concept on top of OREO.
Weeks alternate between S (Speaking) and W (Writing). S and W weeks share the same topic but use different prompts.
After enrolling, you can access a version of this page with each lesson linked to its slides. Lesson slides are published progressively.

Lesson	S/W	Topic	Key Concept	Prompt (subject to change)
Unit 1 — Foundation
1-1	S	Technology & Society	OREO Introduction + Academic Vocabulary	"What technology do you rely on every day? What would change if you couldn't use it?"
1-2	W	Technology & Society	Spoken → Written Conversion + Cohesive Devices	"Is technology making our lives better, or creating new problems?"
1-3	S	Rules & Freedom	Making Examples Specific	"Choose one rule at your school or home you find hard to accept. Why does it exist?"
1-4	W	Rules & Freedom	Writing Clear Topic Sentences	"Do rules mainly protect people, or limit their freedom?"
Unit 2 — Building Arguments
1-5	S	Learning & Success	Hedging Language	"How do you prepare for an important exam? Describe exactly what you do."
1-6	W	Learning & Success	Concession Structure	"Do exam scores really measure how much a person has learned?"
1-7	S	Friendship in a Digital Age	Responding to Counter-Arguments	"Is it better to stay in touch with friends online or in person? Why?"
1-8	W	Friendship in a Digital Age	Explaining Your Evidence	"Is social media bringing people closer, or pushing them apart?"
Unit 3 — Polishing & Reflecting
1-9	S	Media & Information	Paraphrasing the Question	"Where do you usually find out about things — school news, world events, or things you are interested in? Do you believe what you see?"
1-10	W	Media & Information	Peer Review Skills	"In a world full of information, how can we tell what is true?"
1-11	S	Work & the Future	Signposting (Discourse Markers)	"Should high school students be allowed to work part-time? Why or why not?"
1-12	W	Work & the Future	Writing Under Time Pressure	"Should schools do more to prepare students for work?"

Key Concepts — Quick Reference

Speaking Key Concepts

OREO IntroductionThe core template: Opinion → Reason → Example → Opinion Restated. Taught in Week 1, used every week after.
Making Examples SpecificTurning vague examples ("my friend") into concrete ones ("my friend Rina chose a local college because her family could not afford the fees").
Hedging LanguageSoftening claims to sound more academic. "Online learning is better" → "Online learning tends to be more effective in some cases."
Responding to Counter-ArgumentsHandling "But what about…?" without losing your position. Staying calm and logical under challenge.
Paraphrasing the QuestionRestating the question in your own words before answering. Buys thinking time and shows comprehension.
SignpostingAnnouncing how many points you have and marking each one ("I have two reasons.", "Firstly…", "On the other hand…", "So overall…") so the listener can follow a longer answer.

Writing Key Concepts

Spoken → Written ConversionTransforming a spoken OREO response into a written paragraph. Adding cohesive devices (Firstly, For instance, Consequently).
Topic SentencesWriting a clear first sentence that announces what the paragraph is about.
Concession Structure"While I understand that X, I would argue that Y." Acknowledging the other side before stating your position.
Explaining Your EvidenceAdding one sentence after an example to say what it shows, so the example works as evidence rather than just a story.
Peer ReviewGiving specific feedback on a partner's writing using structured phrases — not just "good job."
Writing Under Time PressureIn the real test you write 250+ words in 40 minutes, so your skills have to go in as you write. This lesson identifies the two sentences to protect first: the opening sentence, and the sentence after your example.

← Back to the Global Academic Pass course page