English is the study, use, and enjoyment of the English language, communicated orally, visually, and in writing, for a range of purposes and audiences and in a variety of forms.
It is creative and critical, receptive and productive.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the study of English incorporates mātauranga Māori and considers our place in the Pacific.
Big Ideas:
Language and identity are inextricable
Making and creating meaning are processes that occur when we interpret and when we produce text
Engaging with text is a source of enjoyment and enrichment.
At Year 11 all students do English. Level 1 English is the introductory course, which sets the foundation for students’ achievement in the senior school.
Students will learn that:
Māori creators provide an important perspective on living and participating in Aotearoa New Zealand and the world, and the study of Māori texts plays a role in the process of honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
We draw on our knowledge of how language works to interpret and produce written, visual, and oral text in English;
Being able to use the English language with control supports effective participation in society;
Interpreting and producing literary text develops empathy;
The English language in Aotearoa New Zealand is unique and includes elements of te reo Māori and Pacific languages;
Texts can possess aesthetic qualities which generate sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and affective responses.
Students will experience:
Opportunities to strengthen their reading, writing and numeracy skills in this subject;
Opportunities to gain their reading and writing literacy qualifications in this subject;
Activities encompassing reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and presenting.
At Level 2 English is not a compulsory subject however, it is strongly advised you take Level 2 English as competency in this subject is essential to success in most areas of work and future study.
This course is for students who enjoy the study of English literature (novels, films, plays, short stories, poetry), and who are confident readers and writers. Students intending on attending university should consider taking this course.
The course for 12LIT may include formal writing, creative writing, a seminar or dramatic presentation, static images, personal reading, research, language analysis and textual studies (film, novel, short stories, poetry, plays). There are three external standards available and the teacher will organise a course that enables students to gain course endorsement.
If you are thinking of going to university you need to get 10 University Entrance Literacy credits in reading and writing. 12LIT will give you the opportunity to get most of the 10 University Entrance Literacy credits.
The course will offer between 14 and 24 credits.
This course is for students who aren’t interested in or don’t enjoy studying texts, and are more interested in the practical aspects of English and communication skills that will take them into the workforce. You might not be as confident in reading, writing and speaking, but you would like to improve. 12LAN is for students looking at going straight into work, an apprenticeship, trades training and other non-university study after finishing school.
Even students who do not enjoy English should consider doing it at Level 2 English; employers want to hire people with good communication skills.
12LAN may include unit standards for report writing, reading for information, and research, with the option to include achievement standards for static images and speech. There is no externally assessed component to this course.
12LAN does not provide University Entrance Literacy credits or subject endorsement.
The course will offer between 14 and 24 credits.
Level 3 English is very close to a university level course and is designed for those students who either require this level of English for their career or study path. English at Level 3 provides the essential foundations for university or tertiary study with essay writing, critical analysis and referencing skills, public speaking and discussion.
This course does not have an external component, so does not provide course endorsement. It does provide University Entrance literacy (both reading and writing) and is a University Entrance course - providing the 14 credits needed to meet this criteria.
The course is made up of four internally assessed standards: writing portfolio, speech, static image and critical texts. The design of the course reliueves students of a heavier exam burden in Term 3 & 4.
To take this course students must have taken L2LIT in Year 12.