English Language Arts

Our Approach to Learning

Studying English Language Arts involves much more than learning how to read and write. The two aims of the high school English Language Arts program are to:

provide students with an understanding and appreciation of a broad range of texts and themes
enable students to use language for many purposes

English Language Arts focuses on six areas: listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and representing.

At Dr. Anne Anderson, our English Language Arts program is designed to help students see themselves reflected in the texts, themes, and ideas they explore. Students engage critically with texts, collaborate thoughtfully with peers, and consider how literature connects to contemporary issues. Just as importantly, they reflect on who they are as learners and who they hope to become. Growth, voice, empathy, and confidence are central to our work.

Our program goes beyond reading and responding to texts. We emphasize rigorous critical thinking, strong communication, and collaboration. These skills prepare students not only for success in high school, but for post-secondary pathways and informed participation in an increasingly complex world. Throughout high school, students are encouraged to reflect on their progress, recognize their strengths, and set goals for continued growth.

English Language Arts teachers at Dr. Anne Anderson become learners alongside our students, challenging our own processes and ideas and finding new ways to learn. While teachers internalize our responsibility to craft experiences that help students learn about themselves and others, we also know that we aren’t experts on voices that aren’t our own. As such, we create space for students to share their perspectives, facilitate meaningful dialogue, and guide them as they encounter ideas and experiences that may be unfamiliar. Our classrooms are built on curiosity, respect, and a shared commitment to growth.

Courses Offered

All sequences focus on interpreting texts and refining students' ability to show that they understand those texts.

English 10-1, 20-1, and 30-1 places more emphasis on understanding complex texts, and students who take this course sequence will create and analyze a variety of increasingly sophisticated literary texts.
English 10-1 AP, 20-1 AP, and 30-1 AP (AP Language and Composition) extends the content of the -1 sequence with additional learning in preparation for the Advanced Placement exam and recognition as an introductory university-level English course.
English 10-2, 20-2, and 30-2 places a greater degree of emphasis on the creation of personal and persuasive responses.
English 10-EAL combines two courses to provide specialized learning and increased instructional time for English Language Learners. At each grade level, students may earn 5-credits in English as an Additional Language courses (Levels 1-5) and 5-credits in English 10-2.

To earn an Alberta High School Diploma, students must complete either English 30-1, English 30-1 AP, or English 30-2.

Learning Connections

At Dr. Anne Anderson High School, learning goes beyond the classroom. In English Language Arts, students make meaningful connections to the wider community through experiences that enhance their skills and understanding.

As a DAAHS student in English Language Arts, you can expect opportunities to engage with learning in real-world contexts. Our students have attended live theatre performances, visited the Art Gallery of Alberta, and learned valuable research skills at the public library. These experiences allow students to apply what they learn in class to authentic situations, building both knowledge and confidence.

Career Pathways

At Dr. Anne Anderson, we are focused on aligning student learning experiences with a plethora of potential future career pathways, as virtually every career requires, in some way, the skills rooted in the English Language Arts program. Students who complete English 30-2 are equipped with technical writing skills that are immediately applicable to careers in sciences, trades, and technologies. Students who complete English 30-1 are equipped with the critical reading and writing skills that are typically required for entry into post secondary institutions such as the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan.

At Dr. Anne Anderson High School, students will be empowered with the skills to be successful across a variety of future careers rooted in English Language Arts including:

Advertising
Art/Museum curation
Content creation
Emergency services
Game design
Journalism
Law
Library sciences
Marketing
Medical diploma programs
Public relations
Publishing
Research
Screenwriting and Scriptwriting
Service industry
Teaching and Higher Education
Many additional pathways that require proficiency in English for success in the field

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