Use of English and Communication Skills I
GST 101 (Use of English and Communication Skills I) is a compulsory university-wide General Studies course taken by all 100-level undergraduate students across every faculty at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. It is designed to bridge secondary school English and rigorous tertiary academic scholarship, mastering scholarly reading comprehension, phonetic articulation, advanced grammatical mechanics, and essay composition.
Credit Units
2 Units (NUC Standard)
Academic Level
100 Level (First Sem)
Assessment
30% CA + 70% Exam
Syllabus Scope
5 Detailed Modules
What This Course Is All About
Academic importance, curriculum placement & degree purpose
University-level coursework, lab reports, legal briefs, medical clerkship write-ups, and graduation theses require clear, unambiguous scholarly expression. GST 101 establishes your foundational English proficiency so you can excel in examinations across your entire degree.
The syllabus progresses from fundamental English phonology (vowel and consonant sounds, stress patterns, and intonation) through parts of speech, syntactic phrase structures, paragraph coherence, note-taking techniques, and library research methodology.
Prerequisites & Entry Expectations
O'Level SSC credit passes in required departmental subjects (English, Mathematics and relevant sciences/arts).
Official Syllabus & Modular Breakdown
Comprehensive unit-by-unit curriculum topics taught at Delta State University
English Phonology, Sound Systems & Articulation
Study of English segmental and non-segmental phonology with emphasis on spoken clarity and overcoming mother-tongue interference.
Key Topics Covered:
- Phonetic alphabet and IPA transcription symbols
- Pure vowels (monophthongs) vs diphthongs and triphthongs
- Consonant voicing, places of articulation, and manners of articulation
- Syllable structure, primary and secondary stress placement
- Sentence intonation tunes (Falling tune, Rising tune) and tonal nuances
Grammatical Mechanics & Sentence Architecture
Comprehensive review of English grammar, concord rules, structural syntax, and error analysis in academic writing.
Key Topics Covered:
- Parts of speech and functional word classes in context
- Subject-Verb Agreement (Proximity, Notional, and Plural Concord)
- Tense, aspect, and modal auxiliaries
- Clause types: Dependent vs Independent, relative, and adverbial clauses
- Sentence errors: Dangling modifiers, comma splices, fragments, and run-ons
Academic Reading, Comprehension & Note-Making
Cognitive reading strategies for digesting dense textbook chapters, journal articles, and academic monographs.
Key Topics Covered:
- Skimming, scanning, in-depth reading, and critical evaluation
- The SQ3R study system (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review)
- Identifying topic sentences, supporting evidence, and main ideas
- Distinguishing factual claims from authorial inferences and opinions
- Linear vs diagrammatic note-taking, mind mapping, and summarizing
Paragraph Development & Expository Essay Writing
Building coherent, well-structured academic essays, argumentative papers, and formal reports.
Key Topics Covered:
- Paragraph anatomy: Topic sentence, body elaboration, and transitional hooks
- Techniques of paragraph expansion: Definition, classification, cause and effect, comparison and contrast
- Writing clear thesis statements and introductory frameworks
- Drafting logical essay bodies with transitional markers
- Effective concluding strategies that reinforce thesis arguments
Library Literacy, Digital Research & Academic Integrity
Navigating university library systems, digital scholarly databases, referencing formats, and anti-plagiarism standards.
Key Topics Covered:
- DELSU Main Library cataloging (Library of Congress & Dewey Decimal classification)
- Accessing e-resources, scholarly databases, and JSTOR/ResearchGate repositories
- Basics of citation styles (APA 7th edition, MLA, and Chicago Manual)
- Understanding plagiarism, ethical paraphrasing, and academic integrity policies
Core Theoretical Concepts & Mechanisms
Key academic principles, equations, and methodologies students must master in GST 101
Subject-Verb Concord
The strict grammatical agreement in number (singular or plural) and person between the subject and the main finite verb in a sentence.
Exam Significance: One of the highest-frequency error zones tested in DELSU GST 101 objective and fill-in-the-gap CBT examinations.
Phonetic Stress & Intonation
The relative emphasis given to particular syllables in a word (lexical stress) and the pitch contour across a spoken phrase (intonation).
Exam Significance: Vital for distinguishing grammatical word classes (e.g., 'CONtract' noun vs 'conTRACT' verb).
SQ3R Study Strategy
A structured 5-phase reading comprehension method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.
Exam Significance: Proven to boost academic retention and examination recall by over 40% when studying voluminous university lecture handouts.
Paragraph Coherence & Unity
The structural harmony where every sentence in a paragraph relates directly to the central topic sentence with smooth transitional connectors.
Exam Significance: Crucial for scoring top marks in continuous assessment written essays and university examinations.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Skills, competencies, and practical capabilities you will acquire upon completion
Pronounce English vowels, diphthongs, and consonants with standard phonetic clarity and accurate syllable stress.
Identify and correct subtle grammatical concord errors, faulty parallelism, and dangling modifiers in academic drafts.
Apply the SQ3R technique to extract high-yield insights from complex academic journals and lecture notes in half the usual time.
Draft structured, cohesive 5-paragraph academic essays with clear thesis statements and logical transitional development.
Locate authoritative print and digital academic resources within the DELSU library ecosystem using proper APA citation formatting.
Grading Structure & Exam Success Guide
DELSU official grading breakdown and tested strategies to score an 'A' grade
Continuous Assessment (CA — 30%)
- •15 Marks: Mid-Semester Computer-Based Test (CBT) assessing phonetics, grammar, and vocabulary.
- •10 Marks: Written Continuous Assessment (CA) essay / paragraph writing assignment.
- •5 Marks: Lecture attendance and tutorial participation.
Semester Examination (70%)
University-wide Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of 70-100 multiple choice questions covering phonology, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension passages, and error identification.
Top Strategies for Scoring an 'A' in GST 101
- Practice past GST 101 CBT past questions repeatedly on MyDelsu to master common phonetic transcription and concord trap questions.
- Memorize the rules of proximity and notional concord, as these appear in nearly 30% of grammatical test items.
- Read the recommended General Studies handbook thoroughly, paying extra attention to word stress rules and sentence types.
Recommended Textbooks & Literature
Communication in English for Higher Education
By DELSU Directorate of General Studies
Delta State University Printing Press
English Grammar: A University Course
By Angela Downing & Philip Locke
Routledge
Better English Pronunciation
By J.D. O'Connor
Cambridge University Press
Career Relevance & Professional Pathways
How this course applies to professional careers and accreditations
Academic Researcher / Scholar
Higher Education & ResearchProduces publishable scholarly articles, conference abstracts, and grant proposals with standard international peer-review quality.
Corporate Communications Specialist
Corporate & Public RelationsDrafts corporate press releases, executive speeches, brand copywriting, and internal organizational communications.
Legal & Administrative Practitioner
Legal, Civil Service & ConsultingDrafts unambiguous legal documents, executive memoranda, and policy briefs where precision in language is paramount.
Semester Study Roadmap
Recommended weekly pacing for lectures, CA assignments, and final exam revision
Weeks 1-4: Phonetics & Grammatical Foundations
Mastering vowel/consonant charts, syllable stress, and subject-verb concord rules.
- Complete IPA flashcard drills for monophthongs and diphthongs.
- Solve 50 practice concord questions from the GST study guide.
Weeks 5-8: Reading Comprehension & Writing
Applying SQ3R reading techniques and drafting expository paragraphs.
- Practice timed reading comprehension passages under exam conditions.
- Submit mid-semester CA essay to your assigned tutorial coordinator.
Weeks 9-12: CBT Mock Tests & Revision
Full-length past question simulations and error review.
- Take at least 4 timed CBT past question practice runs on MyDelsu.
- Review all flagged questions on dangling modifiers and intonation tunes.
Lecture Notes & Handouts
Official study materials and departmental slides for GST 101
GST 101 Comprehensive Study Guide: Grammar & Sentence Construction
Past Examination Papers
Verified DELSU past semester question papers for GST 101
2023/2024
First Semester2022/2023
First SemesterFrequently Asked Questions about GST 101
Answers to common student questions on course registration, difficulty, and exams
Is GST 101 compulsory for all DELSU 100-level students?
Yes, GST 101 is a mandatory university-wide General Studies course. Every undergraduate student across all faculties (Medicine, Law, Engineering, Sciences, Management, Education, Arts, Agriculture) must take and pass it to satisfy graduation requirements.
How is the GST 101 examination conducted at DELSU?
The final examination for GST 101 is typically conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) at the DELSU Digital Centers (Abraka and Oleh campuses). It consists of multiple-choice questions testing grammar, phonetics, comprehension, and vocabulary.
What is the best way to prepare for the GST 101 phonetics questions?
Familiarize yourself with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols for vowels and consonants, and practice identifying silent letters, rhyming words, and stressed syllables using past questions.