English
Which english course is right for me?
English Extension 1
English Extension 1 is designed for students undertaking English Advanced who wish to study at a more intensive level, examining diverse texts and conceptual lenses. Student who select English Extension 1 enjoy engaging with complex levels of conceptualisation in texts and their own compositions, and seek the opportunity to work in increasingly independent ways.
Students must be enrolled in English Advanced to be eligible to undertake English Extension 1.
Students should consider English Extension 1 if:
They are passionate about critical and creative writing
Enjoy studying Shakespeare, classical texts and more modern texts
Enjoy thinking, analysing and creating through sophisticated conceptual lenses
They have consistently demonstrated very high levels of achievement in English in Years 9 and 10
They are considering studying literature, creative writing or English more broadly at university
Are highly confident in their existing analytical and creative writing skills, but are willing to work with their peers and teachers to continue to extend and refine their skills.
English Extension 1 is a mandatory prerequisite course for English Extension 2, which is only offered in the HSC.
English Advanced
English Advanced is a highly conceptual and very academically rigorous course that is designed for students eager to undertake the challenge of higher order thinking. In this course, students apply critical and creative skills in extended compositions of and responses to texts in order to develop their academic achievement through understanding the nature and function of complex texts.
Students considering English Advanced should consider the following elements of the course:
The study of Shakespeare is mandatory. It will be studied in comparison to another text
Extended reading will be required over student breaks to prepare for study during term
Text complexity (style, genre, concepts, themes and mechanics) steeply increases from Year 10
Students are strongly encouraged to reflect on their level of achievement in Year 9 and10, as this is an accurate indicator of preparedness for English Advanced. Students considering university study that will require extensive critical, analytical and/or creative writing may wish to consider English.
English Standard
English Standard is designed for all students to increase their expertise in English and consolidate their English literacy skills in order to enhance their personal, social, educational and vocational lives. In this course, students learn to respond to and compose a wide variety of texts in order to be effective, creative and confident communicators.
Students should consider English Standard if:
They wish to attend university – most degrees will have a Band 4 in English Standard as an enrolment requirement
They have achieved soundly throughout Year 9 and 10 English, but found extended writing and more conceptual elements of the Stage 5 course challenging
Would not enjoy studying Shakespeare and would not enjoy independently reading conceptually challenging novels and plays over their breaks.
English Standard is the ideal course for students considering university courses that will require effective and clear communication, but not require extensive conceptual critical, analytical and/or creative writing. English Standard is academically rigorous and effective in preparing students for any tertiary education or other further study.
English Studies
English Studies is designed for students who wish to refine their skills and knowledge in English and enhance their personal, social, educational and vocational lives. It is a course for students who wish to be awarded a Higher School Certificate but who are seeking an alternative to the English Standard course.
Students should consider English Studies if:
They intend to transition to work or vocational study at or prior to the end of Year 12
They do not wish to go immediately into university study
They have found Stage 5 English very challenging and feel they would benefit from the real world focus in topics, reduced pace and personalised delivery of English Studies.
It is important to note that English Studies is not an “easy” course and not necessarily just for low ability students. English Studies is designed to empower students to develop English skills for their immediate future pathways. The delivery of the course is responsive to the needs of students and staff work closely with students to design teaching and learning that is highly relevant and contextualised.
It is possible to receive an ATAR with HSC English Studies. To do so, students must sit the 2 hour and 40 minute HSC examination.
English EAL/D
English EAL/D is designed for students from diverse non-English speaking, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds as designated by the course entry requirements. EAL/D is an ATAR pathway course.
The English EAL/D course may be studied by any student who has been educated overseas or in an Australian educational institution with English as the language of instruction for five years or less prior to commencing the Preliminary course. This includes:
Students whose learning has been interrupted by periods away from education in which English was the language of instruction
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Indigenous communities where Standard Australian English is not the common language of the local community
An EAL/D Eligibility Declaration form must be completed for any student seeking entry to the course.
For a student who has had a substantially interrupted education, or little or no formal education in which English was the language of instruction, approval may be sought for up to 12 months to be added to the course entry requirements period. The principal is required to send a submission, including the completed declaration form, to NESA providing evidence of the student’s individual circumstances.