Department Philosophy

The English Department believes that every student should know how to think, listen, write and speak clearly, read with understanding and appreciation, analyze what they read and see, and be exposed to some of the best examples of written and visual texts.

English 9 (1151y)

One year - 1 credit

Grade 9

Prerequisite: English 8

This course offers a balanced language arts experience. It focuses upon the development and refinement of reading, writing, oral communication and the beginnings of media literacy. The students widen their understanding and appreciation of a variety of texts through participating in a range of activities. A built in independent reading program endeavours to strengthen students’ reading through goal setting, reflection and conferencing.  

English 9 LE (1201y) 

(Also see same course description in E. English Language and Learning Support Classes)

One year - 2 credits (this class meets every day)

Prerequisite: 8th-grade teacher recommendation

English 9 LE mirrors as closely as practicable the content covered in English 9 (see above) and serves the same preparatory function. The chief distinction between LE courses and their non-LE counterparts is that English reading, writing, speaking, and listening proficiency is developed simultaneously alongside knowledge of course content. An independent reading program endeavours to strengthen students’ reading through goal setting, reflection and conferencing.  

English 10 (1251y)

One year – 1 credit

Grade 10

Prerequisite: English 9 or English 9LE

In this course students focus on the genres of poetry, drama, the novel and nonfiction. They study a variety of composition skills, writing both formally and informally. Emphasis is placed upon growth of reading, writing and speaking with an understanding of the conventions of various text types and media. An independent reading program endeavours to strengthen students’ reading through goal setting, reflection and conferencing.  

English 10 LE (1301y) 

(Also see same course description in E. English Language and Learning Support Classes)

One year – 1 credit

Grade 10

Prerequisite: successful completion of English 9 LE and teacher recommendation or qualifying scores on Admissions criteria.

English 10 LE mirrors as closely as practicable the content covered in English 10 (see above) and serves the same preparatory function. The chief distinction between LE courses and their non-LE counterparts is English reading, writing, speaking and listening proficiency is developed simultaneously with knowledge of course content. A built-in independent reading program endeavours to strengthen students’ reading through goal setting, reflection and conferencing.  

English 11 (1351y)

One year - 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite: English 10, English 10G or English 10LE

This course provides the foundation for skills that students need to go on to senior-level courses in AP Literature and Composition or AP Language and Composition or English 12.  By reading a variety of texts – fiction, non-fiction, and poetry – students extend their vocabulary and increase their understanding of how writers use language and literary techniques to communicate their ideas.  Through various types of writing, students develop stylistic maturity and the ability to organize ideas in clear, coherent, and persuasive language.

IB H1 English A Literature: (1816y) 

One year – 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite: English 10, English 10G or English 10 LE

A rich and challenging two-year course, this offering is designed for those with a passion for literature. Through different perspectives of culture and context, students will refine their critical thinking, close reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while engaged in the exploration and enjoyment of the nature of literature, the aesthetic function of literary language and the relationship between text and the world and themselves. Students will study 13 texts (over the two years) that encompass a range of exciting literary genres from different cultures and periods - including poetry, novels, drama, essays, graphic novels and non-fiction, with the goal of developing an understanding of the factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. In turn, this will encourage the exploration of how viewpoints are shaped by cultural belief systems and how meaning is negotiated by the reader. 

The course is open to diploma, as well as non-diploma candidates who may elect to earn an IB certificate. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB S1 English A Literature (1812y) 

One year – 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite: English 10, English 10G or English 10 LE

This two-year course is aimed at those students who enjoy reading literature.

Through different perspectives of culture and context, students will refine their critical thinking, close reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while engaged in the exploration and enjoyment of the nature of literature, the aesthetic function of literary language and the relationship between text and the world and themselves. Students will study 9 texts (over the two years) that encompass a range of exciting literary genres from different cultures and periods - including poetry, novels, drama, essays, graphic novels and non-fiction, with the goal of developing an understanding of the factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. In turn, this will encourage the exploration of how viewpoints are shaped by cultural belief systems and how meaning is negotiated by the reader. 

The course is open to diploma, as well as non-diploma candidates who may elect to earn an IB certificate. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB H1 English A Language and Literature (1826y) 

First year – 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite:English 10, English 10G or English 10 LE

This rich and challenging course is designed for students who appreciate the complexities of both literary and non-literary texts and are comfortable analysing both.  Over the two years, students study a wide range of literary and/or non-literary texts (6 in total over the two years) from a variety of media, places, forms and periods.  They will also investigate the nature of language itself and the ways it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture, as well as the world. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types and literary forms and contextual elements all affect meaning. The course is meant to develop sensitivity to the foundational nature, and persuasive influence of language in the world at large. The course is open to diploma, as well as non-diploma candidates who may elect to earn an IB certificate. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB S1 English A Language and Literature (1827y)

First year – 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite: English 10, English 10G or English 10 LE

This course is designed for students who appreciate the complexities of both literary and non-literary texts.  Over the two years, students study a wide range of literary and/or non-literary texts (4 in total over the two years) from a variety of media, places, forms and periods.   They will also investigate the nature of language itself and the ways it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture, as well as the world. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types and literary forms and contextual elements all affect meaning. The course is open to diploma, as well as non-diploma candidates who may elect to earn an IB certificate. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB H1 English B (1820y)

One year – 1 credit

Grade 11

Prerequisite: successful completion of English 10 LE or teacher recommendation.

The first of a two-year sequence, this course is designed for the non-native English speaker whose language skills require further enhancement to meet the challenges of university studies or a future career. These interactive listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are developed through the study of a wide range of text types and media resources. The literature of the course reflects the current expectations of the English B Higher Level examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to participate in a class service and community project, and take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

AP Language and Composition (1830y)

One year – 1 credit

Grade 11, Grade 12

Prerequisite: English 10, English 10G or English 11

In this course, students read  a variety of texts and garner information from different mediums of communication including non-fiction from different time periods, news-writing, literature, Internet sites, as well as television stories and advertising. Through active class discussion and debate, they dissect and analyze the strategies that authors, reporters, graphic designers, advertisers, and artists employ to sway their audiences. Students of AP Language and Composition also learn how to respond to texts and information through well thought-out arguments produced in both timed and untimed writing assignments. Although they read some fictional material to enhance close reading skills and develop voice, the  majority of texts will be nonfiction.  At the end of this course students will be expected to take the AP Language and Composition examination.  AP Language and Composition is open to all juniors and seniors who have the support of their English 10 / English 11 teacher.

English 12 (1356y)                   

One year – 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: English 11

English 12 is designed to prepare students for the rigors of college-level English through the continued development of critical reading, writing and speaking skills. Because English 12 does not culminate in an externally assessed exam, students and teacher have the latitude to explore a wider variety of genres and cultures with respect to the reading and writing covered.

IB H2 English A Literature  (1836y) 

One year – 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: IB H1 English Literature

The second of a two-year sequence, this is a continuation of the first year course. Focus remains on different perspectives of culture and context, students will refine their critical thinking, close reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while engaged in the exploration and enjoyment of the nature of literature, the aesthetic function of literary language and the relationship between text and the world and themselves. Students will study 13 texts (over the two years) that encompass a range of exciting literary genres from different cultures and periods - including poetry, novels, drama, essays, graphic novels and non-fiction, with the goal of developing an understanding of the factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. In turn, this will encourage the exploration of how viewpoints are shaped by cultural belief systems and how meaning is negotiated by the reader.  Ongoing opportunities to refine written skills in preparation for the IB A1 Higher exam in English. 

Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB S2 English A Literature (1837y) 

One year – 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: IB S1 English Literature

The second of a two-year sequence, this is a continuation of the IB S1 English Literature course. Through different perspectives of culture and context, students will refine their critical thinking, close reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while engaged in the exploration and enjoyment of the nature of literature, the aesthetic function of literary language and the relationship between text and the world and themselves. Students will study 9 texts (over the two years) that encompass a range of exciting literary genres from different cultures and periods - including poetry, novels, drama, essays, graphic novels and non-fiction, with the goal of developing an understanding of the factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. In turn, this will encourage the exploration of how viewpoints are shaped by cultural belief systems and how meaning is negotiated by the reader. 

Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB H2 English A Language and Literature (1838y) 

Second year – 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: IB H1 Language and Literature

The second of a two-year sequence, this rich and challenging course is designed for students who appreciate the complexities of both literary and non-literary texts and are comfortable analysing both.  Over the two years, students study a wide range of literary and/or non-literary texts (6 in total over the two years) from a variety of media, places, forms and periods.  They will also investigate the nature of language itself and the ways it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture, as well as the world. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types and literary forms and contextual elements all affect meaning. The course is meant to develop sensitivity to the foundational nature, and persuasive influence of language in the world at large. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB S2 English A Language and Literature (1839y) 

Second year – 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: IB S1 English A Language and Literature

The second of a two-year sequence,This course is designed for students who appreciate the complexities of both literary and non-literary texts.  Over the two years, students study a wide range of literary and/or non-literary texts (4 in total over the two years) from a variety of media, places, forms and periods.   They will also investigate the nature of language itself and the ways it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture, as well as the world. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types and literary forms and contextual elements all affect meaning. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take the IB examination at the end of Year 2.

IB H2 English B (1845y)

One year – 1 credit

Grades 12

Prerequisite: successful completion of IB H1 English B or teacher recommendation.

This is the second year of the IB English B Higher Level program. In both years, the course aims to develop students' interactive listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, both formal and informal registers, as well as the ability to assess subtleties of language in a wide variety of forms and styles. The literature of the course reflects the current expectations of the English B Higher Level examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to participate in a class service and community project, and take the IB examination at the end of the year.

AP Literature and Composition (1843y)

One year - 1 credit

Grade 12

Prerequisite: AP Language and Composition or English 11

Seniors passionate about literature will discover in this course texts from various genres, periods, and cultures--all sure to challenge their logic, creativity, insight, and technical skills. Designed for students intending to sit for the AP Literature and Composition examination, the course takes seriously its test-preparation purposes. But the general objectives of the course go beyond this short-term goal to enable students independently to analyze how literature works and to write effectively about their findings and to synthesize treatments of specific themes in a variety of works. Students will be expected to take the AP Literature and Composition examination at the end of this course. AP Literature and Composition is open to all seniors who have the support of their grade 11 English teacher (AP Language and Composition or English 11).