ENG2: English

The study of literature and language is a shared journey that aims to foster belonging and connection through the exploration of texts and ideas. The study of Aotearoa New Zealand, Pacific, and world literature contributes to ākonga developing sense of identity, their cultural capital, their understanding of heritage, and of the world. Through experiencing this shared journey, ākonga can appreciate and enjoy texts in all their forms and gain the skills to tell their own stories.

English explores the following 'Big Ideas':

• Language and literature give us insights into ourselves and others

• The stories of Aotearoa New Zealand are unique taonga tuku iho

• Stories are a source of joy and nourishment

• Communication depends on shared codes and conventions

• Literature, language, and texts embody power relationships

Level 2 English is a requirement for many trades and for specialist programmes in the armed services. It also provides key preparation for tertiary study in any subject.

Ākonga will study short texts and an extended written text (novel, play, biography etc) and write literary essays, opinion pieces, short stories and/or poetry. The connections standard explores the superhero film genre, looking at the narrative structure of the Hero's Journey and the typical tropes and conventions of superhero films. The comparative literature module examines Homer's The Odyssey, and compares ancient Greek heroes to modern superheroes, looking at the influence of ancient cultures on modern culture. 

Understanding, using, and creating oral, written, and visual texts of increasing complexity is at the heart of English teaching and learning. By engaging with text-based activities, ākonga become increasingly skilled and sophisticated speakers and listeners, writers and readers, and presenters and viewers. This equips ākonga to be able to form developed ideas and to communicate them with confidence, participating critically in their communities, society, and in the wider world.

Ākonga will analyse and integrate their knowledge of how features of language are used in different contexts. They will communicate sustained ideas by selecting and integrating a range of language features appropriately for a variety of purposes. Ākonga will show an analytical understanding of increasingly varied and complex texts, using examples and/or details primarily from a text but also beyond it. They will analyse and interpret, and acknowledge their own perspectives through their responses to, various texts, and show an analytical understanding of why and how text creators position their intended audience, and why and how a text relates to other texts and contexts

The course will cover 5 Achievement Standards (3 internal and 2 external).  Ākonga are able to gain up to 24 credits towards Level 2 NCEA (16 Internal credits and 8 External credits).  

• Standard 91101 - Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing (internal)

• Standard 91104 - Analyse significant connections across texts, supported by evidence (internal)

• Standard 91204 - Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of the classical world and aspects of other cultures (internal)

• Standard 91098 - Analyse specified aspect(s) of studied written text(s), supported by evidence (external)

• Standard 91100 - Analyse significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence (external)

Ākonga can pass UE Literacy internally in this course by achieving both AS91101 and AS91204. 

• Chrome Book and Headphones

• Clever Kiwi Lined Assignment Book

• Document Wallet and lined refill

Texts supplied by the English Department.