English

English - 2 Units, Board Developed Course

TWO UNITS OF ENGLISH ARE COMPULSORY IN YEARS 11 & 12

You must select 1 of:

2 unit Advanced or
2 unit Standard or
2 unit EAL\D or
2 unit English Studies

Advanced English - Year 11 and HSC

Advanced students work towards becoming critical, sophisticated users of English, able to appreciate the variety of cultural heritages that are represented in literature and other modern texts. Students examine the context, values and messages within literature and the comment each text conveys, reflecting universal issues within both historical and contemporary worlds.

Content common to the Standard and Advanced courses is undertaken in a Common Module: ‘Reading to Write.’ This module introduces students to the academic language they will require to be successful in Senior English. Students will also complete two Modules in Year 11 English. In the HSC course students will also complete a Common Module and three additional modules.

In each year students will study at least four texts including some Australian content, from each of the following categories: Shakespearean drama; prose fiction; drama or film; poetry; non-fiction or media or multimedia texts. Students read, respond to and compose a wide range of additional related texts. Students will analyse how language shapes meaning, and evaluate how texts and contexts are shaped by different attitudes and values.

Electives may vary but will include studies comparing texts, study of literary criticism, and classic literature, as well as, texts drawn from popular culture.

Standard English - Year 11 and HSC

Standard students work towards developing their skills as users of English and learn to appreciate the diversity and pleasure of language and literature. Students will examine universal ideas found within texts that allow for a better understanding of humanity.They will value English as a key to learning and communicating in their lives.

Content common to the Standard and Advanced courses is undertaken in a Common Module: ‘Reading to Write.’ This module introduces students to the academic language skills they will require to be successful in Senior English. Students will also complete two modules in Year 11 English. In the HSC course students will also complete a Common Module and three additional modules.

In each year students study at least four texts, including some Australian content, from the following categories: prose fiction; drama; poetry; non-fiction, film, media or multimedia. Students read, respond to and compose texts as they learn about how language shapes meaning, and consider the effectiveness of texts for different audiences and purposes.

English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) - Year 11 and HSC

A modified course designed for students from backgrounds other than English to achieve appropriate Stage 6 results. Students will develop their core literacy skills within the modules set for study. In the Year 11 Course, students will complete three modules with an optional fourth module. In the HSC course students will complete four modules.

Year 11 English and HSC English require:

Study of Australian and other texts.
Exploration of a range of types of text drawn from the categories: prose fiction; drama; poetry; non-fiction, film, media and/or multimedia texts.
Wide reading programs involving texts composed in a wide variety of contexts.
Engagement in the integrated study of language and text, by reading, writing, speaking and viewing and representing.

English Studies -2 Units Year 11 and HSC

In the Year 11 course students will complete the Common Module and between two and four additional modules. In the HSC course, students will complete a second Common Module, in order for them to be eligible to complete the optional HSC examination. They will also complete between two and four additional modules for the HSC course.

English Studies is designed to support students in developing proficiency in English to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives. It offers a comprehensive language experience that is reflected in the modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing.

The course provides students with the opportunity to become more confident and effective communicators and to enjoy a breadth and variety of texts in English. Students explore the ideas, values, language forms, features and structures of texts in a range of personal, social, cultural and workplace contexts. This course provides diverse approaches to texts so that students may become flexible and critical thinkers, capable of engaging with, understanding, contributing to and appreciating the variety of cultural heritages and differences that make up Australian society and society more broadly. It also encourages the continued development of skills in individual, collaborative and reflective learning. Such skills form the basis of sound practices of investigation and analysis required for adult life, including the world of work as well as post-school training and education.

*Notes: An optional HSC written examination is offered to eligible students. Subject to ATAR rules, you must undertake the optional written examination to have the results from this course available for inclusion in the calculation of your ATAR. Check with your school or the NESA website at educationstandards.nsw.edu.au for more information.

Extension

If you study Advanced English you have the option to study an additional 1 unit course in English.

Prerequisites: Advanced English

Year 11 Extension - 1 Unit

This course allows students to delve more deeply into the messages and meanings within texts which raise critical questions about humanity and the way we think.

The course has one mandatory Module: Texts, Culture and Value.

HSC Extension 1 - 1 Unit

This course allows students to examine the philosophical meaning behind texts and allows for deeper thought and critical and creative reflection on the texts studied.

Students complete reading, writing, oral, viewing and representing tasks within the Common Module: Literary Worlds with one elective. Students will study three prescribed texts and two related texts.

HSC Extension 2 - 1 Unit HSC course only available as an addition to Extension 1 in Yr 12

This course allows students to undertake further research on an area of literature which fascinates them. Students are encouraged to be creative, independent thinkers in composing an original work.

The course requires students to complete a Major Work, Reflection Statement and Major Work Journal. Students develop a sustained composition to a sophisticated standard, and document their reflections on this process.

They may choose from a variety of genres, including prose fiction, poetry, critical response, speeches, script-writing and multimedia or video.