Essential English is available as a Minor or Major. The units in Essential English are sequential, beginning with Unit 1.
This unit focuses on understanding and responding to ideas and information presented in texts from a range of contexts. They will read, view and listen to texts to connect, interpret, and visualise ideas. They will learn how to respond personally and logically to texts, by questioning, using inferential reasoning and determining the importance of content and structure. An emphasis will be placed on communicating ideas and information, both accurately and imaginatively, through a range of modes. Students will apply their understanding of language by creating texts for different purposes in real or imagined contexts.
This unit focuses on interpreting ideas and arguments in a range of texts and contexts. By analysing text structures and language features and identifying the ideas, arguments and values expressed, students will make inferences about the purposes and intended audiences of texts. Students will examine the connections between purpose and structure and how a text’s meaning is influenced by the context in which it is created and received. They learn to interact appropriately and persuasively with others in a range of contexts. Analytical and creative skills will be developed by focusing on how language selection, imagery, text type, and mode can achieve specific effects.
This unit focuses on exploring different points of view presented in a range of texts and contexts. Students will analyse attitudes, text structures and language features to understand a text’s meaning and purpose. They will consider how perspectives and values are represented in texts to influence specific audiences. Students will learn to articulate reasoned, persuasive arguments and develop an understanding of purpose and context. Students learn how to communicate logically, persuasively and imaginatively in a range of different contexts, for different purposes, using a variety of text types.
This unit focuses on community, local or global issues and ideas presented in a variety of texts and on developing reasoned responses to them. Students develop independent points of view and analyse how ideas, attitudes and values are represented. An emphasis will be placed on articulating and constructing clear, logical and sustained arguments, and demonstrating an understanding of purpose, audience and context.