English

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Students will learn an appreciation and enjoyment  of language and literature through reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and presenting in this broad-ranging English course. They will respond to a wide range of written and visual material by applying critical thinking skills. Students will have the opportunity to refine and strengthen their grammar, spelling and punctuation skills through working on their writing portfolio. Speaking skills will be developed further through small group and class discussion.

The course is made up of TWO semesters. Students must choose TWO semesters.

Assessment:

-Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text 1.2 (Internal)

- Demonstrate understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts (End of year external)

By offering these NCEA assessments students get an experience of NCEA, these standards also offer an alternative pathway to Level 1 Literacy.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: 2ENG or 2ENV 

DYSTOPIA AND SCI-FI

CODE: 11 EDS

This course will appeal to those who enjoy a novel study and are confident and willing readers. There will be an in depth study of a text with a spotlight on engaging with texts as a source of enjoyment and enrichment Ko te reo te ora.

TŪRANGAWAEWAE AND WHĀNAU STORIES 

CODE: 11 ETW

This course is based around the student's own culture and sense of identity. Students will explore multiculturalism and look at the stories of those who have travelled to and from New Zealand. This could be Māori explorers from Hawaiki for example. 

We would be incorporating a Tūrangawaewae focus as well, looking at where people live and how their identity is developed through the places they come from and the places they settle.  This is a wonderful course for those who care about research, stories, and history.

INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS

CODE:11EIO

This course is about exploring some gems of Aotearoa NZ, American and English Literature from the perspective, and representation, of minor characters. Students will explore characters that find themselves marginalised or outsiders within the texts, comparing and contrasting the characters and themes across texts. This is a great course for those that love English Literature.

IS SCHOOL BROKEN? LET'S FIX IT!

CODE: 11ESB

Ākonga will explore the experience of being a school student through literature and film, learning and reflecting about the key issues or problems students face and ways to overcome them. This course is designed to be one where student voice and stories are heard and valued as they arise from our study of a range of Aotearoa/NZ and overseas texts. Through this process students will become more fully aware of themselves in relation to their world and therefore able to transform themselves and their world. 

CRIME AND HORROR

CODE: 11ECH

In this course we will explore a range of texts focussed around the genres of crime and horror.  Students will learn how different cultures Māori, Pākehā, American and British examine different aspects of themselves and their society through scary stories.  Through the study of these texts students will try to answer some of life’s big questions: What is the nature of evil? Is crime an individual choice or a symptom of a sickness within society? How should we react when confronted with the unknown?  While this course focuses on just two genres, there will be a wide variety of texts studied from short stories to TV episodes, novels, podcasts and more.  Students will also choose some of their own crime and horror texts to study using them and the class texts to produce a multimedia presentation that answers one of the aforementioned big questions.

FANTASTIC WORLDS AND HOW TO BUILD THEM

CODE: 11 EFW

Ākonga will  be introduced to the idea of the “Hero’s Journey” and will undertake short texts to study to strengthen this idea. A text within the sci-fi and/or fantasy genre would then be studied to help students answer the question: “How do fantasy and science fiction help us develop a more profound understanding of our own world?” The text study would also help students understand the conventions and features of the genre, as presented within the studied text.

BEING A TEENAGER 

CODE:11ETN

In this course, ākonga will learn what it means to be a teenager, what is going on in their own heads and what it takes to grow up. We will study coming of age texts and explore the key ideas within these.

Year 11 Media

MEDIA PRODUCTION 

CODE: 11MPR

In Media Production we will investigate an aspect of our family history and choose to either make a documentary or music video based upon our research into the various narratives that make us who we are.  We can work collaboratively; however, everyone in the course will prepare for this media product individually. This production will be in the running to enter into the Noscars, Newlands College's annual film showcase held at the Embassy Theatre in September. 

 
Following this and concluding the course we will look at how a media genre has been shaped by society and is reflective of the dominant ideas and values of that society. We will explore how the genre both is shaped by us and shapes us and what this means from a minority perspective. Genres we may study are the Teen Film, the Superhero Genre or the Sci-Fiction Genre.

 This course is a mixture of both theory and practical elements which will provide the necessary kete of skills and knowledge to be able to enter into Level 2 Media successfully.