By the end of grade 8 the students are expected to be able to do the following in listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Listening

1. Listen for the main idea, details and examples even if some unknown vocabulary is used.
2. Understand how a speaker feels, for example, annoyed, embarrassed.
3. Understand presentations, conversations, discussions, class arguments, interviews, instructions and songs on a variety of topics.
4. Use their own knowledge and experience of the topic to help them understand.
5. Make guesses before and while they are listening to help them understand.
6. Listen/watch an English language programme, film or documentary and understand the main idea and find specific examples.

Reading

1. Read for the main ideas, details and examples.
2. Understand the author's message.
3. Know some of the different types of stories or texts, for example, myth, fable and personal essay.
4. Use their knowledge and experience of the topic to help them understand and make guesses.
5. Make guesses about the story and use pictures and titles to help them make guesses.
6. Ask questions to themselves while they are reading, for example, "Why does the cat think she is a dog?"
7. Connect the story to their own experiences and knowledge, for example, "I didn't feel like that character when I broke my mirror."
8. Respond to the story, for example, "I agree with the character's idea. Maybe that is the author's message."
9. Read for pleasure.

Speaking

1. Speak with clear pronunciation and with good intonation so that others understand how they feel.
2. Use new words and grammatical structures.
3. Speak with a good level of accuracy.
4. Start and develop conversations.
5. Join in discussions and class arguments on topics connected to the course books/stories.
6. Begin to understand and follow the rules of formal discussions.
7. Talk about their personal feelings and opinions on topics connected to the course books/stories and on topics of personal interest.

Writing

1. Write using a range of grammatical structures, vocabulary, linking words (however, as a result...) and time expressions (soon, after a while...).
2. Write with a good level of accuracy.
3. Begin to learn how to write an argument with supporting details or examples.
4. Write about their personal feelings, opinions and experiences on topics connected to the course books/stories and on topics of personal interest.
5. Understand the writing process (brainstorming, planning, first draft, correct grammar mistakes and improve on ideas, second draft).
6. Write a short story (myth or fable), dialogue, letter, poem, journal, essay.

* Learning how to study

In grade 8 students continue to develop their study skills. They reflect on their strong and weak areas in terms of their proficiency in the English language and think of ways to improve their weak areas. They plan on how they can learn better; and check regularly on how they are progressing. They think about ways of organizing their time and materials so that they can learn better, both in school and at home.