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For VWO 5 & 6 · English · Aligned with the 2026 curriculum targets

The Science of Clear Writing

A 10-Module Academic Writing Course for VWO 5 & 6 English

Give your bright VWO students the clarity, structure, and critical thinking skills they need to transition into university-level academic writing. This course is fully aligned with the new 2026 curriculum targets.

Created by a university academic writing teacher who trains Master’s and PhD students — the same university-level clarity principles, rebuilt for the VWO classroom.

The shift your students learn
✕ Writing to show off how smart you are

I utilized a multi-lined tool to process a starch resource.

becomes
✓ Writing to communicate

I used my fork to eat a potato.

Ten modules focused on clarity, precision, and accessibility.

🎓 Preparing VWO students for university

From writing for the teacher to writing for the reader.

Your students are ambitious, hard-working, and excellent at mastering the foundations of English. As a university academic writing teacher who trains Master’s and PhD students, I have the privilege of meeting your students a few years down the line.

When these bright minds discover how they can transform complex ideas into clear, readable academic prose, they frequently share the same reflection:

“I wish I had learned this in high school.”

The Science of Clear Writing transforms these university-level clarity principles into accessible, engaging modules for VWO 5 and VWO 6 classrooms. It builds on the strong grammatical foundation you have already given them, while shifting their focus from writing for the teacher to writing for the reader.

Why you will love this course

It reduces your workload

You do not need to grade 10 modules of writing. Modules 1 through 9 use structured formative tasks, peer reviews, and self-correction. You only grade a single, natural summative task at the very end (Module 10).

It's fun and engaging

The theory is available to read or listen to as a podcast. The exercises are meant to spark discussion. This course works well with a flipped classroom.

It aligns with the new curriculum targets

This course checks off your core requirements. It explicitly covers the written production strands (Subdomeins A3 & B1 & Digitale Geletterdheid) of the new targets and helps secondary school students develop the academic skills they need in English.
See the curriculum alignment in detail

This course is based on the principles of clear writing according to reader expectations. These ten modules are systematically mapped to the updated 2026 SLO exam curriculum framework for upper-form VWO English. They target the following compulsory subdomains:

  • Subdomein A3 (Productie en interactie - Schriftelijke productie): Students write highly structured texts on complex, academic topics at an ERK B2/C1 target level. They tailor the register and tone to the audience and communicative goals.
  • Subdomein B1 (Taal als fenomeen - Effecten van taalgebruik): They develop an awareness of language choices by analyzing how sentence structure and word choice directly influence reader processing speed and text clarity.
  • Digitale Geletterdheid (Vakoverstijgende vaardigheden): Students critically and ethically assess generative AI as a sparring partner to help them engage more deeply in structural revision.

These modules are designed to be offered sequentially and run alongside instruction in the other subdomains.

🛠️ How it works

Each module combines theory with independent practice.

Most of the learning is based on self-correction and peer review, so your workload is low. This frees you up to engage in the fun part of learning — the class discussions!

1. Theory

Each module contains focused theory on one clarity principle and why it matters to an interested reader, not just to a teacher.

2. Interactive & independent practice

Practice sheets with exercises help students apply the principle to real sentences. Students spend time analyzing and rewriting. Some modules also include a podcast.

3. Review & revise

Students engage in structured formative tasks, do peer reviews, and correct their own exercises. This process helps ingrain the principle as a habit before they move on to the next module.

📚 Curriculum overview (10 modules)

Ten modules that build logically on top of each other.

The course should be given in order. Each module contains theory and interactive and independent practice sheets that build on each other. Some also include a podcast. Module 10 includes a revision checklist to bring it all together.

1Readers have ExpectationsShifting your mindset from writing to show off your smarts to writing to communicate.
2The Basic Sentence StructureDeveloping a clear grammar foundation that aligns with reader expectations.
3Creating FlowLearning how to transition fluidly from sentence to sentence without clunky connecting words.
4The Curse of KnowledgeRecognizing your own curse of knowledge and practicing how you can overcome it.
5Zombie NounsEliminating unnecessary nominalizations to make texts more active and engaging.
6Parallelism & ComparisonsBuilding balanced sentences that make complex arguments easy to process.
7Reducing WordinessTrimming academic fluff that mucks up the message.
8Consistency in VocabularyMoving past unnecessary synonyms to write with precision.
9Working Critically with AIUsing LLMs ethically as structural revision coaches while maintaining ownership of your writing.
10The Take-Home Message and RevisionApplying all the principles in a structured way during extensive revision.
💳 Pricing & licenses

Buy once. Every English teacher at your location can use it.

We offer simple, flat-rate School Licenses. A single purchase licenses every English teacher at your school location to use the materials for a full school year.

Need a formal invoice? See the order options below.

School License
€300
Introductory offer · valid until 30 September 2026

Full 10-Module Course Package

Buy the full course packageRequest an invoice
  • Theory for all 10 modules
  • Interactive and independent practice
  • Answer keys
  • Podcasts
  • Revision checklist (Module 10)
🚀 Order for your school

Two ways to buy the full 10-Module School License.

Pay securely online or request an invoice for your school.

Need to get permission? Use our concept permission letter.

Option A: Buy online

Click below to pay securely online.

Buy the full course package

Option B: Request an invoice for your school

Need a formal invoice? Email us directly at [email protected].

Please include in your email:

  1. Name of your school
  2. School billing address
  3. Name of the contact teacher
  4. Any additional information that your school needs on the invoice (e.g. kostenplaatsnummer)

Questions? Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or through our contact form.

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