ENG3: 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 3 English is excellent preparation for tertiary study in any field as it teaches critical thinking and essential essay-writing, research, and referencing skills. It is particularly useful for Law, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts programmes.

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 provides an opportunity for ākonga to explore links across their own choice of texts. The literary research standard extends ākonga skills by requiring them to analyse and synthesise information from secondary texts as well as primary texts, making informed judgements and conclusions regarding their research hypothesis.  

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 evaluate and synthesise links between texts and contexts, and how contexts influence ideas/style within texts. They will critically evaluate and synthesise their knowledge of how features of language are used in different contexts. In their own written, visual and oral texts they will communicate sustained and integrated ideas by selecting and integrating a range of appropriate language features purposefully and fluently. Ākonga will develop an argument to justify their interpretations of increasingly varied and complex texts, integrating insightful examples and/or details arising primarily from the student’s independent close reading of a text but also from beyond it.

The assessment will include 5 NCEA Achievement Standards (3 internal and 2 external). Ākonga are able to gain up to 22 credits towards Level 3 NCEA, 14 credits from internally-assessed standards and 8 credits from externally-assessed standards. 

• Standard 91478 - Respond critically to significant connections across texts, supported by evidence (internal)

• Standard 91479 - Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts (internal)

• Standard 91475 - Produce a selection of fluent and coherent writing which develops, sustains, and structures ideas (internal)

• Standard 91472 - Respond critically to specified aspect(s) of studied written text(s), supported by evidence (external)

• Standard 91474 - Respond critically to significant aspects of unfamiliar written texts through close reading, supported by evidence (external)

Ākonga will also have the option of choosing to sit the Scholarship English examination at the end of the year.

• Chrome Book and Headphones

• Clever Kiwi Lined Assignment Book

• Document Wallet and lined refill

Texts supplied by the English Department.