Sáng kiến tiếng anh HOW TO WRITE a REPORT

Sở Giáo Dục – Đào tạo tỉnh Bà Ròa – Vũng Tàu
Trường THPT Nguyễn Du
-----oooOooo-----

BÁO CÁO KẾT QUẢ SÁNG
KIẾN
Cấp cơ sở, năm học 2016 – 2017

HOW TO WRITE A REPORT

Người viết: ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG
Học vò: cử nhân
Chức vụ: tổ trưởng tiếng Anh

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

page 1

School year 2016-2017


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ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG
Tiếng Anh
trường THPT Nguyễn Du
HOW TO WRITE A REPORT

English 10, 11 and 12

A. INTRODUCTION
I. THE REASONS FOR RESEARCH
1. The logical choice.
Writing is one of the necessary skills to communicate,
especially, in a world of mess media in which we are not only good
at understanding information but also effective in presenting our
thoughts through writing skill. My research is just a little part
amongst other numerous literary tasks.

2. The practical reasons.
English of High school curriculum is intended as a
purposefully spiral ramp, which means students meet the same
learning material three times with increasing difficulty during high
school time. If students master this, it does not matter. Otherwise, it
would be a big problem for them to continue their studies afterwards
especially at university or at future work. I have chosen this topic in
hope to help students be more confident in writing reports at
medium or intermediate levels and then towards more difficult or
advanced levels. In addition, English for new high school education,
also called the 10-year curriculum, always contains a project after
each unit.

II. GOALS AND METHODS OF THIS RESEARCH
1. Goals:
My two main goals are to find out the difficulties in writing
a report and how to deal with those difficulties, particularly for the
students to fully achieve good results in writing an academic report

which is useful in their school studies and may be in international
tests later on.
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School year 2016-2017


2. Methods:
It is based on my teaching experience, which has never been
a failure at finishing a lecture without any success from students.
I have consulted a lot of documents from good English
teaching books and from experienced colleagues.

III. PROVINCE OF RESEARCH
I have decided on this writing skill due to the Writing Part
that used to be in the past GCSEs and may be an indispensable part
in the future. Moreover, this is an essential lesson of English
curriculum for high education. This technique is supposed to be
most material to every student who wants to master their writing in
higher levels, which are likely to be served useful purposes after
doing assignments as a project in the new curriculum.
The types of report commonly used are:
 Research Report
 Business Report
 Scientific Report
 Routine Report
 Investigation Report

Project Report


 Director’s Report

The type to be chosen for my research is PROJECT
REPORT because it is so useful and practical for school students.

IV. RESEARCH SUPPOSITIONS
My studies attempt to ascertain the difficulties that students
often meet with: they do not know how to make a suitable
introduction to a report or develop the topics to the main body. As a
result, students simply follow what to be taught without
brainstorming. I intentionally supply students with a practical
method in order to dispose of a characterized question of English
writing.

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School year 2016-2017


V. THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL BASIS
1. Theoretical basis:
English has become a world language. People speaking
English fall into one of three groups: those who have learned it as
their native language; those who have learned it as a second
language in a society that is mainly bilingual; and those who are

forced to use it for a practical purpose administrative, professional
or educational. Vietnamese students are taught English as one of the
core subjects besides literature and maths. In order for Vietnamese
students to be confident in using their English, teachers need not
only to supply them with necessary language skills but also to
motivate them in daily teaching activities.

2. Practical basis:
Finding themselves without being able to write a
meaningful sentence or a persuasive paragraph, most Vietnamese
students tend to lose heart and hide themselves learning science
subjects as a way of showing off! We have mislaid a large number
of English potential persons. We often blame for such poor contents
of textbooks. In fact, we do not often pay special attention to
teaching and are not enthusiastic enough to be a mine of information
about all forms of teaching. However the three-level English
language set of textbooks is another, which requires much from
both teachers and students to achieve level three of the Foreign
Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam that is equivalent to
B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for
languages (CEFR)

VI. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
I began this research in school year 2014 – 2015 with 12A 5
and 12A8, 2015 – 2016 with 12A1 and 12A10, and I am doing this
research with 12A 6, 12A9,12A12, 10A6, 10A7 and 10A 9 in school year
2016 – 2017. Year after year, the deeper the research, the better the
results, which enables me to analyze details and essential features in
order to conduct a grammatically and stylishly standard writing, which
must be very helpful for my students to do their writing test in the

international examinations or in their future work.

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School year 2016-2017


B. CONTENT
I. REALITY AND CONFLICTS
For years English has been considered as one of the core
subjects in the education syllabus, some of students are beginning to
define the role of English in their further studies. However, they
find it hard to be satisfied with the materials from their English
textbooks being now used at school. There is an unspoken
assumption in the present curriculum that is abundantly clear for
everyone. Therefore, teachers are always under pressure of time in
class and of the fulfillment of a class organizer.
If I chase after the tasks in the textbook, I often finish my
lecture on time with a vague feeling that maybe my students can
understand and do the same task in their real life. Consequently, the
way my students have done the same task disappoints me.
Otherwise, I am short of time. In order to solve the time problem, I
am forced to give this lecture in double periods, which means I have
to shorten the next lessons and I am genuinely motivated by the
results from the writing test.

II. SOME SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
In order for students to improve their writing, I divide this

writing task into two levels. The low level reserved for the students
who can distinguish the report part and put the report part into order.
For the students with higher level, they themselves can develop the
ideas in each report part based on the outline made out by both
students and the teacher.
However, the first stage is to help students to have careful
overview of the report, which lessens the pressure to face with
writing too many words, too many ideas and too many points of
view.
And then I give students the step-by-step instructions to
make the directing introduction and situation introduction, to
establish the main body and conclude the report.

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School year 2016-2017


THE OVERVIEW OF
A FOUR OR FIVE PARAGRAPH REPORT
analyze
discuss
describe

This report will describe some of the problems
This report is intended to
….
The aim/ purpose of this report is to ….

In this report I will

- look at
- outline
- focus on

- examine
- compare
- show

THE TITLE OF REPORT

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Paragra
ph
1

Report Part

Content

INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH

2

3

REPORTING
FINDINGS

(2 or 3
paragraphs)

4
5
RECOMMENDATI
ON

CLEARLY:
- state the aim of your report
- make sure you mention where you
got the information from
- use a formal, neutral style
FORMAT:
- headings used to make it easier to
read.
- points used under each heading
with bullet points or numbers (if
- necessary).
GRAMMATICALLY:
- Avoid your personal opinion with I,
we….
- Use the passive voice.
- Use formal language with modal
verbs and generalising functions.
USEFUL PHRASES:
- The main problem was that…
- Several
said/possible
suggested/

Sum up people
the report’s
thought/ told me that…
recommendations
-- It
appearsthe
that…
Suggest
best one(s)
- Not surprisingly

Taking all the points into consideration….
All things considered….
To conclude
On balance
In conclusion

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School year 2016-2017


HOW TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION
There are many ways to make a good introduction;
however, I have chosen the most possible method for my
students because this can be the root from which students
highly develop their future writing skill.

THE METHOD OF DIRECTING INTRODUCTION
Step 1: to have a clear conception of introductory paragraph.
How to write


FAMILY LIFE
OF THE STUDENTS
IN THE CLASS

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

The aim of the report

Where to get information

This report will examine the
students’ family life in my
class

It is based on the
information that was
made during the
interview and on
behavioral
observation in class

Step 2: to ask students to produce SENTENCE 2.
How to write

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

The aim of the report

Where to get information

This report will analyze the
importance of categories in
THE CATEGORIES
keeping healthy and
IN STAYING HEALTHY suggest the best way of
improving health



Ⓐ

The sentence expected is

Ⓐ→ It is based on the information on the Internet and
medical books and also through the interview .”

Step 3: to ask students to produce the whole paragraph.
How to write

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

The aim of the report

Where to get information

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School year 2016-2017



ELECTRONIC DEVICES
USED
TO LEARN ENGLISH

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

The whole paragraph expected is

Ⓐ→ The aim of this report is to show what devices are
often used to learn English by the students and determine
the usefulness of these in English studies.

Ⓐ→ In order to prepare this report, the interviews were
made among students and school documents of the past

school years were searched for.

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page 8

School year 2016-2017


HOW TO REPORT FINDINGS (MAIN BODY)
It is based on the variety of information, this kind of report can
contain four or five paragraphs. Therefore, there are two or three
paragraphs for the main body.

Step 1: to have a clear conception of main body.

REPORT ON FAMILY LIFE OF THE
STUDENTS IN THE CLASS

Title

Introductory
paragraph

This report will examine the students’ family life in
my class. It is based on the information that was made during
the interview and on behavioural observation in class.

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

HEADINGS

THE FINDINGS

FACTS/ REASONS/
EXPLANATION

Paragraph 1

Equality
between
father and
mother



Paragraph 2

FAMILY LIFE OF
THE STUDENTS
IN THE CLASS

Children’s
responsibility
in family

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

Most of the
students are
satisfied with
their family life
because their
fathers and
mothers always
joins hands to
help each other

It appears that
there is a
remarkable
difference

page 9

It does not matter
when fathers enter
the kitchen and
cook dinner if
mothers come
home from work
late or mothers are
willing to say no to
a party in order to
go shopping with
their daughters

Some students,
45% of them, have
to help parents
with the family
business or
farming work.
Others, 55%
interviewed, seem
to do nothing when
getting home from
school or evening
classes

School year 2016-2017


Paragraph 3

Conclusion

Familial
violence

Luckily there is
no violence
among family
members

There is sometimes
a bitter argument

that can be
observed on his or
her sad face the
next day, which
might not be much
important in family
life

In conclusion, most students were born into a good
family and have been brought up in their loving and
responsible hands.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


Step 2: to ask students to produce SECTION 1 of paragraphs 1,2 and 3.

REPORT ON THE CATEGORIES IN
STAYING HEALTHY

Title

This report will analyze the importance of categories in
keeping healthy and suggest the best way of improving health.
It is based on the information on the Internet and medical books
and also through the interview.

Introductory
paragraph

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

How to write

HEADINGS

Paragraph 1

Ⓐ

THE FINDINGS

FACTS/ REASONS/
EXPLANATION

Many of those
interviewed
stated that they
did not know
much about
how to choose
the food that
was benefit to
their health

75% of the students
who were interviewed
were surprised to see
the food pyramid, which
means they did not
know the percentage of
these foods in their daily
diet.

Surprisingly
some affirm
that the more
meat they eat,
the better their
health

Moreover, most of them
did not pay much
attention to vegetables
and fruit or refuse to eat
them because of a high
level of toxicity in these.
On the other hand, there
are a few with good
knowledge of nutritious
diet but they cannot
practice because of their
poverty.

It seems that
there is a
conversed taste
among dinners

Predictably the majority
likes salty food because
most of them come from
the North and the
Central whereas others
like sweet food


Ⓐ

Paragraph 2

THE CATEGORIES
IN STAYING
HEALTHY

Paragraph 3

Conclusion

SECTION 3
(sometimes can be listed)

Ⓐ

In conclusion, I would recommend that they should
focus on their harmonous diet because the food with too much
saly, sugar and meat is not good to healthy. More vegetables
and fruit should be eaten during the day.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


What expected is
Ⓐ→ Knowledge of a nutritious diet or
Ⓐ→ Food habits
Ⓐ→ Food taste

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School year 2016-2017


Step 3: to ask students to produce SECTION 2 of paragraphs 1&2

REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES
USED TO LEARN ENGLISH

Title

The aim of this report is to show what devices are often
used to learn English by the students and determine the
usefulness of these in English studies. In order to prepare this
report, the interviews were made among students and school
documents of the past school years were searched for.

Introductory
paragraph

SECTION 1
HEADINGS

Paragraph 1

Devices
mostly used

THE FINDINGS

Ⓐ

ELECTRONIC
DEVICES USED
TO LEARN ENGLISH

Paragraph 2

Conclusion

SECTION 3
(sometimes can be listed)

How to write



SECTION 2

Devices
used for
English
studies

Ⓐ

FACTS/ REASONS/
EXPLANATION

o 85 % mobile phone
owners said that smart
phones have become
an indispensable part
of life.
o 24 % of the students
with Ipads agreed that
this electronic device
is often used for
entertainment such as
playing games,

watching films or
listening to music.

However, these students
have been successful in
their English studies
thanks to the programme
in their smart phones:
o 32% passed the
international tests.
o 71% did well in the
GCSEs

To concluse, I would like to mention that any invention
has both sides, so It is recommended that students should take
full use of the positive side of the invention to benefit their life
especially their English studies.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

page 14

School year 2016-2017

What expected are
Ⓐ→ Most of the students told me that they were obviously well
acquainted with all electronic devices:
Ⓐ→ Oddly 74% of their phones used mostly used for chatting,
texting and taking a photo by oneself and sharing via social
media that is often called selfie or selfy, which means there was
only 26% of the students’ phones with study programmes.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


Step 4: to ask students to produce SECTION 3 of paragraphs 1,2&3

REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES USED
TO LEARN ENGLISH

Title

Introductory
paragraph

This report is intended to focus on the factors
helping people to have a longevity. A large number of
people were interviewed to find out useful life experience.

SECTION 1

How to write

Paragraph 2

PEOPLE
LIVING
LONGER

Paragraph 1



Paragraph 3

Conclusion

SECTION 2

SECTION 3
(sometimes can be listed)

HEADINGS

Food choice

Lifestyle

Optimistic

Outlook

THE FINDINGS

FACTS/ REASONS/
EXPLANATION

A
few
suggested
eating the food
rich in healthy
nutrients
like
olive oil, garlic,
kinds of nut and
sweet potatoes

Ⓐ

The
majority
knew
that
physical
exercise plays
an
important
part in keeping
healthy

Ⓐ

It seemed that
no one denied
the fact that a
sound mind in a
sound body

Ⓐ

All those aspects might be necessary for people to
gain a good health. The problem is that those should be on
balance depending on natural their disposition, economic
situation and geographic area where to provide them with
nutritious food and fresh air.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


What expected are

Ⓐ→ Meanwhile, most giving the reasons for longevity agreed
that the kinds of food might be good like:
o fish and vegetables
o corn and beans, which are healthy and high in fibre

Ⓐ→ so not surprisingly people aged 90-100 on the islands in
Okinawa are found
o walking several kilometres daily or even working in
vegetable gardens
o practising karate and kendo

Ⓐ→

Therefore, they approved of these good actions:
o actively taking part in family life as well as social
activities.
o having joy in everyday chores

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page 17

School year 2016-2017


Step 5: to ask students to produce the whole main body

REPORT ON SUGGESTING
IMPROVEMENTS TO
PE LESSONS AT NGUYEN DU
SCHOOL

Title

Introductory paragraph

How to write



Paragraph 1

SUGGESTING
IMPROVEMENTS TO PE
LESSONS

Paragraph 2

Conclusion

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

The aim of this report is to compare
different ideas to make PE lessons at Nguyen Du
High School more productive for students while
learning at the same time. A large number of
students were interviewed to find out different
opinions.

SECTION
1

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

HEADINGS

THE
FINDINGS

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

(sometimes can be listed)

FACTS/ REASONS/
EXPLANATION

All those aspects might be necessary
for people to gain a good health. The
problem is that those should be on balance
depending on natural their disposition,
economic situation and geographic area
where to provide them with nutritious food

and fresh air.

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School year 2016-2017


What expected are

Ⓐ→ Sporting facilities
Ⓐ→ A few of the students

interviewed showed their deep
satisfaction with the present sporting facilities. However, these
facilities disappointed the majority and they gave reasons
why they were fed up with these sports equipments and
facilities

Ⓐ→

•

•

They were so worn out that it would be dangerous to be
used because of the spring mattresses with big holes, the
basket ball backboard with only three legs, so it can collapse
at any time.
There is no swimming pool and no grass in the soccer field
in the dry season.

Ⓐ→ Sporting area
Ⓐ→ The minority of students mentioned that the sports ground was
spacious whereas others expressed a preference for having
an own area that was enough for all kinds of sports giving the
following reasons:

Ⓐ→

•
•

Too much noise among the nearby classes at the same time
distracts them from their class activities.
Small area makes it difficult for PE students to practise their
lessons of running, high jump and relay.

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017


HOW TO CONCLUDE THE REPORT
After teaching students how to make a good introduction, I
help students conclude their report. There is always a crucial link
between the two or three parts of the report especially in a
suitable conclusion, which can lead to possible recommendations.
Step 1: to have a clear conception of conclusion.

Title

Introductory
paragraph

REPORT ON THE CATEGORIES IN STAYING
HEALTHY
This report will examine the students’ family life in my
class. It is based on the information that was made during the
interview and on behavioural observation in class.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

How to write
Transition
word or phrase


THE CATEGORIES
IN STAYING HEALTHY

Sentence 3
(not always necessary)

In conclusion

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

Conclusion
they
should
focus on their
harmonious
diet because
the food with
too much salt,
sugar
and
meat is not
good to healthy

page 20

Recommendation
I would also
recommend that more
vegetables and fruit
should be eaten during
the day.

School year 2016-2017


Step 2: to ask students to produce SENTENCES 1&2

Title

Introductory

paragraph

REPORT ON FAMILY LIFE OF THE
STUDENTS IN THE CLASS
This report will examine the students’ family life in my
class. It is based on the information that was made during the
interview and on behavioural observation in class.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

How to write



Sentence 3
(not always necessary)

Transition
word or phrase

conclusion

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

recommendations

FAMILY LIFE OF
THE STUDENTS IN
THE CLASS

The sentence expected is “In conclusion, most students
were born into a good family and have been brought up in
their loving and responsible hands”

Ⓐ→ In conclusion,
Ⓐ→ most students were born into a good family and have
been brought up in their loving and responsible hands

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

page 21

School year 2016-2017


Step 3: to ask students to produce the whole paragraph.

Title

Introductory
paragraph

REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES USED
TO LEARN ENGLISH
The aim of this report is to show what devices are often
used to learn English by the students and determine the usefulness

of these in English studies. In order to prepare this report, the
interviews were made among students and school documents of the
past school years were searched for.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

How to write


ELECTRONIC DEVICES
USED
TO LEARN ENGLISH

Sentence 3
(not always necessary)

Transition
word or phrase

conclusion

recommendations

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

Ⓐ

The sentences expected are “To conclude, I would like to
mention that any invention has both sides, so It is
recommended that students should take full use of the
positive side of the invention to benefit their life
especially their English studies.”
Ⓐ→To conclude
Ⓐ→I would like to mention that any invention has both
sides
Ⓐ→so It is recommended that students should take full
use of the positive side of the invention to benefit their
life especially their English studies

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

page 22

School year 2016-2017


III. WHAT TO HAVE ACHIEVED AFTER APPLYING THE
RESEARCH.

1. I have systematized the details of report writing into order like this:
HOW TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION
Step

Task

Aim

1
2
3

Understanding
Use of language
Use of language

conception statement
sentence building
sentence building

Desirable
achievement
great satisfaction
excitement
satisfaction

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE MAIN BODY
Step

Task

Aim

1
2
3
4

Understanding
Idea expression
Idea expression
Idea expression

conception statement
writing capacity
writing capacity
writing capacity

Desirable
achievement
excitement
more excitement
satisfaction
great satisfaction

HOW TO CONCLUDE THE REPORT
Step

Task

Aim

1
2
3

Understanding

Use of language
Idea expression

conception statement
shape statement
writing capacity

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page 23

Desirable
achievement
excitement
more excitement
great satisfaction

School year 2016-2017


2. The achievements I have recorded for the 3 school years are:

12A5 and 12A8 (school year 2014 – 2015)
(The project after Unit 2)

Number of
students

Class

Testing
unit
Reference
unit

12A8

35

12A5

39

Students’ points
Less than
More
5 → 7.5
5
than 8
6
7
22
20.00%
62.86% 17.14%
18
6
15
15.38%
38.46% 46.15%

12A1 and 12A10 (school year 2015 – 2016)
(The project after Unit 10)

Number of
students

Class

Testing
unit
Reference
unit

12A10

32

12A1

38

Students’ points
Less
More than
5 → 7.5
than 5
8
12
4
16

37.50%
12.50%
50.00%
16
4
18
42.11%
10.52%
47.37%

12A9 and 10A6 (school year 2016 – 2017)
(The project after Unit 5 – English 10)

Number of
students

Class

Testing
unit
Reference
unit

12A9

32

10A6

33

Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

Students’ points
Less
More than
5 → 7.5
than 5
8
9
5
18
23.13%
15.63% 56.25%
4
9
20
12.12%
27.27% 60.61%

page 24

School year 2016-2017


10A6
12A9
12A8

2 0 1 4

-

12A5

2 0 1 5

12A10

2 0 1 5

12A1

-

2 0 1 6

2 0 1 6

-

2 0 1 7

L e ss

M o re
5 → 7.5

Note:
12A8 – 12A10 – 12A9 are testing units

12A5 – 12A1 – 10A6 are reference units

3. A value of the records
Because there has been some considerable change in the
Writing Part since this year, so I have decided to evaluate the
results of this research into two unproportional patterns of test: I
had students do the same project after Units 2 and 10, of English 12,
in school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and the project after unit
5, of English 10, for school year 2016-2017. For the reference
classes, I followed the teaching process presented in the textbook.
And for the testing classes, I used this new technique.
Astonishingly, there were obvious differences in outlines,
development of ideas and grammatical structures. Not to mention
that the students showed their satisfaction during the writing
lessons.
The number of students with over 8 points to increase by
year in spite of the fact that the reference classes were the better
ones, which might show the effective angle of my technique.
Commonly the number of students who has got 8 points or more is
rare while the number of students with the points between 5 and 7.5
Prepared by ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

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School year 2016-2017