The syllabus

Could you, in theory base an entire nine-month course on this book? Yes, and in practice too!

How?

It depends on a number of factors. First, how much freedom do you have in the organization or school where you work? If you´re lucky enough (or unlucky if you´re a glass half-full type person) to have complete freedom to choose the content of the course, then let the needs analysis guide you a bit. Ask yourself who are these people? What are their general ages? Their professions? Their expressed interests? Any taboo or inappropriate topics? What should they know at their level? What would you like them to learn? Visit the European Framework of Languages website and get a list of "can-do" statements for their level. Ask them what they want to do from that list, as well from a list of things which interest them. Now do a couple of classes with them, get accustomed to their rhythm of working through the class, their language level and what you think they need, as well as their own priorities (their expressed needs).

Once you´ve got a feel for how they are, and what they want, get out a calendar and choose class topics/units for the first month. Or, if you´re not sure how quickly you´ll get through the topics, you can make a list for each month with less topics to cover than class (i.e. if there are 8 classes per month, then target 5 or 6 topics from the list) and if you cover everything and still have a class left over, great. What you don´t want is to make promises and then fall behind, so underestimate rather than overestimate. Make sure to share your syllabus with the students. This will give them a feeling that there a feeling of structure to the class (as will language feedback and correction). You could plan a whole year´s worth of classes but I like the idea of planning on a month to month basis because needs and priorities change and it will give you flexibility to work more on what was difficult for learners and less on what was easy. Also, agree upon end-of-course objectives--this will also give structure to the syllabus as a whole, especially if you plan month-to-month.

And if I don´t have the freedom to plan my own syllabus?

Then you´re not really using this book as a basis for your course, are you? Still, if you must follow the book you were assigned, then refer to the grammar/topics from this book to match and supplement sections you would have done in the course book.

You can also use the lessons as examples for modifying the lessons in the textbook you´re following. And while we´re on the subject, here´s a little tutorial on how to apply the same principles to course books.