English

Introduction

Course Outline

In responding to and composing texts, students learn about the power, value and art of the English language for communication, knowledge and pleasure.  They engage with and explore texts that include the literature of past and contemporary societies.  By composing and responding with imagination, feeling, logic and conviction, students develop an understanding of themselves, and of human experience and culture.

Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8)

Students learn to read, enjoy, understand, appreciate and reflect on the English language in a variety of texts and to write texts that are imaginative, interpretive, critical and powerful.   Students study books, films, radio, television, newspapers, the internet and CD-ROMs.  The texts give students experience of Australian literature and literature from other countries and times and insights into Aboriginal experiences and multicultural experiences in Australia.  Students also study texts that give experience of cultural heritages, popular cultures and youth cultures, picture books, everyday and workplace texts, and a range of social, gender and cultural perspectives.

Stage 5 (Years 9  and 10)

Students experience Shakespearean drama in Stage 5.  They develop their skills, knowledge and understanding so that they can use language and communicate appropriately and effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, in a range of contexts. They learn to think in ways that are imaginative, interpretive and critical.  They express themselves and their relationships with others and the world and they reflect on their learning in English.  The study of English in Stage 5 requires experience of at least two works of each of fiction, film, non-fiction and drama and a variety of poetry drawn from different anthologies or from particular poets.  The selection of texts must give students experience of Shakespearean drama.

Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12)

English is a compulsory subject in Years 11 and 12 and students may choose from different courses.  All courses are those developed by the Board of Studies.  In Year 11, courses offered are Standard English; Advanced English; Extension English; and Fundamentals of English.  In Year 12, courses offered are Standard English; Advanced English; Extension 1 English; and Extension 2 English.