Talking about Ourselves and Others, the Present Continuous Tense, Designing Adverts and Self-Questioning

1. Talking about Yourself

When describing yourself, mention your name, age, family, hobbies, likes and dislikes, strengths and dreams. For example: "My name is Abena Owusu. I am twelve years old, the second of four children. I love reading and singing in the church choir. I am good at mathematics, but I want to improve my handwriting. One day I hope to become a doctor."

2. Talking about Family

3. Describing a Personality

A personality is a well-known person. When you describe one, say who they are, what they do, why they are famous and why you admire them. "I admire Dr Thomas Mensah, a Ghanaian engineer. He helped to develop fibre-optic technology used in communication. I admire him because he worked hard and has used his knowledge to inspire young Africans in science."

4. Building on Others' Ideas

5. Agreed-Upon Rules

Before the conversation, the group agrees on rules: one speaker at a time, respect for every person's story, no laughing at others, and keeping personal information private if someone asks. A group leader can keep time and make sure everyone speaks. At the end, the group summarises what it learned about each member.

6. Sample Group Conversation

Esi: "I want to share about my grandmother. She raised five children alone after my grandfather died, and she still sells kenkey every morning." Kojo: "Building on what Esi said, my mother is also very hard-working. She is a nurse and works night shifts." Ama: "That reminds me of Dr Esther Ocloo, who started a food-processing business with very little money and became famous. Do you know her, Yaw?" Yaw: "Yes! She founded Nkulenu Industries. So, we all agree that hard work is something we admire in people."

1. Forming the Present Continuous

2. Spelling of -ing Forms

3. Uses of the Present Continuous

4. Stative Verbs

Some verbs describe states, not actions, and are not usually used in the continuous form. These include know, like, love, hate, want, believe, understand, own and belong. Say "I know the answer", not "I am knowing the answer"; "She likes mangoes", not "She is liking mangoes".

5. Present Continuous in a Commentary

"Welcome to the inter-schools final at the Accra Sports Stadium. The teams are walking onto the pitch, and the crowd is cheering loudly. Now the referee is blowing the whistle. Mensah is dribbling past two defenders... he is shooting... GOAL! The fans are dancing in the stands!" The present continuous makes the listener feel the action is happening right now.

6. Present Continuous and Simple Present Compared

The simple present describes habits and facts, while the present continuous describes what is happening now or for a limited time. Compare: "My father drives a taxi" (his regular job) and "My father is driving to Kumasi now" (at this moment). "Ama usually walks to school, but this week she is taking a bus because her leg is injured." Choosing the right tense tells the listener whether an action is permanent or temporary.

1. Planning an Advertisement

2. Designing a Print Advert

3. Writing a Radio Advertisement

A radio advert, sometimes with a jingle (a short song), must be clear and lively because listeners cannot see anything. Use sound effects, repetition of the name and a friendly voice.

Sample radio script: [Sound of a sewing machine] Voice 1: "Esi, your uniform looks so neat!" Voice 2: "Thank you! I got it from Mama Esi's Tailoring Shop." Narrator: "Mama Esi's Tailoring Shop, near Asafo Market, Kumasi. Neat uniforms in three days! Ten percent off for all JHS students this month. Mama Esi's: we sew your style!"

4. Judging an Advertisement

5. Ethics in Advertising

Advertisers should tell the truth. They should not claim that a product cures diseases when it does not, or hide prices. Adverts should not insult other products or encourage harmful behaviour, such as drinking alcohol or smoking. In Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) checks adverts for food, drugs and cosmetics.

6. Adverts for Social Causes

Not all adverts sell products. Public service adverts persuade people to do something good for themselves or the community, such as "Wash your hands with soap", "Vote peacefully", "Stop galamsey" or "Sleep under a treated mosquito net". They use the same features as commercial adverts: a strong image, a slogan and a clear call to action. Designing one is a good way to practise persuasive writing while helping your community.

1. Self-Questioning

Self-questioning means asking questions in your head before, during and after reading. Before reading: "What do I think this story is about?" During reading: "Why did the character do that? What will happen next?" After reading: "What was the main message? Did I like the ending?"

2. Reading Passage: The Harmattan Visitor

The harmattan arrived in Bolga that year like an uninvited guest. It covered everything in fine red dust, cracked people's lips and turned the sky a dull grey. In the mornings, Asibi wrapped herself in two cloths and still shivered on the walk to school.

One cold morning, she noticed an old man sitting under the baobab tree near the market. He had no sandals, and his thin smock was torn. People passed him without looking. Asibi slowed down. She thought of her grandfather, who had died the year before.

That evening, she asked her mother if they could give the old man her grandfather's blanket. Her mother was silent for a long time. Then she went into the room and came out with the blanket and a bowl of tuo zaafi. The next morning, Asibi and her mother walked to the baobab tree together.

3. Self-Questions on the Passage

4. Answering Comprehension Questions

After silent reading, answer written questions in complete sentences. Quote words from the passage when asked, such as "like an uninvited guest", and explain figurative language in your own words: the harmattan is compared to an unwanted visitor because it comes suddenly and makes people uncomfortable.