The coursework of the 6th semester – the final semester of the Foundational Course. Dates and full instructions are announced in class.

Creative Writing

• Research (weeks 1–2, min. 1,250 words): explain the topics like a textbook chapter – genre, characters, plotting (purpose, types, plot grids, story structure), and POV (First/Second/Third Person, subtypes of Third Person, when to use each, and common mistakes such as head hopping, tense inconsistency, and POV breaks). Selected students present the content to the class in 15 minutes.
• Story Writing (weeks 3–4, ~2,500 words):
  • Define a clear message/theme/moral.
  • Choose a POV and tense (1st person or 3rd person limited; past or present) and avoid POV mistakes.
  • Develop an engaging plot that conveys your message; write your own story.
  • Come up with a good title and a short engaging blurb (1–2 sentences, not a summary).
  • Submit the draft, then edit and submit the final version.

Academic Writing

• Research: Principles of Academic Writing (weeks 5–6, min. 1,250 words): what academic writing is, its types, essay/research-paper structure, conventions, vocabulary, style, tone, research methodology, and citation basics. Selected students present to the class.
• Research Paper: a Dhamma topic of your choice (weeks 7–9, min. 2,500 words): proper research-paper format (title, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results/findings, discussion, conclusion, references). A research proposal is submitted first.

Grammar Review

• Week 1 (identification): review the marked test, categorize weak areas, and create a list of grammar points to study (typical problem areas: tenses and aspect, conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice, articles and determiners, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, modal verbs, reported speech, punctuation).
• Week 2 (mastery): study the rules, do practice exercises, write example sentences, create a reference sheet, then take a mastery test (aim for 80%+) and edit your story applying the new grammar.

Listening Comprehension (ongoing)

• Listen to audiobooks (~3h/week), e.g.: Who Moved My Cheese? (Spencer Johnson), Make Your Bed (Adm. W. H. McRaven), The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (R. L. Stevenson), and one book of your own choosing.
• Take notes on new vocabulary and expressions, practice shadowing (repeating after the speaker), and summarize each listening session.
• Keep a Listening Log: date and duration, book and sections covered, new vocabulary, comprehension notes, and a summary of the content.