Language and Literature

Background:

English/Language and Literature Curriculum is aligned with the Australian Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum framework. The three strands: Language, Literature and Literacy; focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking and writing. Through engagement with inquiry learning, students learn to analyse, understand, communicate in different modes add build relationship with others and with the world around them.

Extension Classes:

In Year 7 in Semester 1, all students are placed at the same level. Top students are selected at the end of Semester 1 based on student performance on a range of assessments and teacher recommendation. Placement is reviewed at the end of each semester to cater for students who may have missed out. Placement in the Challenge English course is not permanent as continued placement is based on performance and outcomes throughout years 7-10.

English as an additional language or dialect (EALD)

• EALD students are supported in EALD classes

• Students are identified as requiring support by the EALD teacher through teacher recommendation and subsequent testing

Textbooks:

Novels are issued to students by borrowing through the library. A range other textbooks are used during class and do not need to be borrowed.

Assessments:

Submission or in-class summative task is assigned each Term. In addition, classwork is used to track skill development and some of these tasks may be used to inform a final grade. Summative and formative assessments are marked against IB MYP criteria rubric for English/Language and Literature.

Competitions:

Students across all classes are encouraged to enter the UNSW ICAS English and Writing Competitions; participate in Ford and Murray Debating Competitions including ACT Legislative Assembly Debate.