ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

English classes at Parkland are designed for students to reach their individual potential. We recommend that students choose courses to match their strengths, interests and goals.

Students will be required to successfully complete grade 10 and 12 Provincial English Language Assessments prior to graduation.

English Language Arts 9 Selections

One English 9 class is required for graduation.

English Language Arts 9

The Parkland English Department offers programs for all students. Using oral, written, visual and digital texts, students will work individually and collaboratively to develop their core competencies in thinking, communicating, and developing social awareness and responsibility. At each level, students are encouraged to foster lifelong literacy skills through independent reading. The English Department is dedicated to teaching grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, and analytical skills through various units such as Poetry, Short Stories, Media/Film Studies, Dramas, Novel Studies, Creative Writing, and Essay Writing.

Parkland IB - English Prep 9

This course is designed for students who are enthusiastic and engaged with their English studies, along with those looking to enter into the International Baccalaureate program. Students will study a wide variety of texts, working collaboratively and independently to gain a stronger understanding of concepts critical to higher level analysis. Special focus will be placed on developing academic writing to help students prepare for their senior level IB classes.

English Language Arts 10

One English 10 class is required for graduation.

English First Peoples 10

English First Peoples 10 is a dynamic course that is built through the study of texts representing authentic First Peoples’ voices and those of non indigenous ancestry. Text, in this case, refers to oral, audio, visual, cinematic and digital media, as well as written works. Additionally, English First Peoples 10 incorporates First Peoples principles of learning and content. There is an increased emphasis on the study of oral language and on First Peoples’ oral traditions. Texts explore a variety of themes relating to truth and reconciliation, Indigenous identity, Indigenous culture and tradition, and the connection of people to the land and environment. This course is learner centered that employs experiential learning through self awareness, group collaboration and identity exploration. The interconnectedness of diverse Indigenous and non Indigenous communities are explored through both contemporary and traditional texts. Students in this course will experience a strong sense within a learning community that stresses openness, understanding, and connectivity.

This class will satisfy BC's Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.

Parkland IB - English First Peoples Prep 10

This course is designed for students who are enthusiastic and engaged with their English studies, along with those looking to enter into the International Baccalaureate program. Students will study a wide variety of texts, working collaboratively and independently to gain a stronger understanding of concepts critical to higher level analysis. Special focus will be placed on developing academic writing to help students prepare for their senior level IB classes.

This class will satisfy BC's Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.

English Language Arts 11

One English 11 class is required for graduation.

English 11

The Parkland English Department offers programs for all students. Using oral, written, visual and digital texts, students will work individually and collaboratively to develop their core competencies in thinking, communicating, and developing social awareness and responsibility. At each level, students are encouraged to foster lifelong literacy skills through independent reading. The English Department is dedicated to teaching grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, and analytical skills through various units such as Poetry, Short Stories, Media/Film Studies, Dramas, Novel Studies, Creative Writing, and Essay Writing.

English First Peoples 11

This course will introduce local and non-local indigenous authors to students. English First Peoples is based entirely on the study of "texts" representing authentic First Peoples Voices ("texts" is referring to oral, audio, visual, film and other media as well as written literature) in order to develop their core competencies in thinking, communicating, and developing social awareness and responsibility. This course incorporates First Peoples principles of learning in the curriculum content and applies that to the resources covered. This course will aim to bring in a variety of resources for students to interact with including but not limited to elders and local knowledge keepers. English First Peoples focuses on acknowledging the significance of culture in language and communication. The English Department is dedicated to teaching grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, and analytical skills through various units such as Poetry, Short Stories, Media/Film Studies, Dramas, Novel Studies, Creative Writing, and Essay Writing.

This class will satisfy BC's Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.

IB - English Language & Literature 11

Language and Literature (HL) is a two year course that examines the nature of language and its use in literature. By examining literature from diverse origins and times, students will look at how we use language to understand topics such as gender, power, social relations, history and other cultures. Students will have the opportunity to examine great works of fiction in a variety of formats from diverse writers.

Completion of this course covers both English 11 and English Studies 12 and an IB grade of 5 or higher can earn first year university credit for English.

Please note that there is a tuition fee for all IB level courses

English Language Arts 12

One English 12 class is required for graduation.

English Studies 12

English Studies 12 builds on and extends students’ previous learning experiences in their English Language Arts 10 and 11 courses. It is designed for all students, and provides them with opportunities to refine their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts, think critically and creatively about the uses of language, explore texts from a variety of sources, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others in a changing world.

Additionally, students must complete their Graduation Literacy Assessment by the end of their grade 12 year.

English First Peoples 12

This course will introduce local and non-local indigenous authors to students. English First Peoples is based entirely on the study of "texts" representing authentic First Peoples Voices ("texts" is referring to oral, audio, visual, film and other media as well as written literature) in order to develop their core competencies in thinking, communicating, and developing social awareness and responsibility. This course incorporates First Peoples principles of learning in the curriculum content and applies that to the resources covered. This course will aim to bring in a variety of resources for students to interact with including but not limited to elders and local knowledge keepers. English First Peoples focuses on acknowledging the significance of culture in language and communication. The English Department is dedicated to teaching grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, and analytical skills through various units such as Poetry, Short Stories, Media/Film Studies, Dramas, Novel Studies, Creative Writing, and Essay Writing.

IB - English Language & Literature 12

Language and Literature (HL) is a two year course that examines the nature of language and its use in literature. By examining literature from diverse origins and times, students will look at how we use language to understand topics such as gender, power, social relations, history and other cultures. Students will have the opportunity to examine great works of fiction in a variety of formats from diverse writers.

Completion of this course covers both English 11 and English Studies 12 and an IB grade of 5 or higher can earn first year university credit for English.

Please note that there is a tuition fee for all IB level courses

Elective English Language Arts

These courses can be taken in addition to the required grade-level courses listed above.

Creative Writing 12

This course is for students who want to hone the craft of writing and to explore literature from a more creative perspective. Students develop their individual styles while learning the drafting, editing, publishing and creative processes. Class involves daily writing activities, group discussions about style, genre, and good storytelling, and a chance to work collaboratively through peer-editing and writing workshops. Students will develop writing portfolios that showcase their progress along with their selected best works. Each student's work is respected and celebrated. Regardless of whether you are a closet poet or heading towards a career in business, if you seek to enhance your creative thinking and expression this class has something to offer you.

Creative Writing is open to grade 10-12 students.

Journalism & Yearbook 9-12

This 4-credit project-based course offers students a unique opportunity to work as a part of a creative team. The focus is on the production of the school yearbook but students will also learn editorial, photojournalism and reporting skills. Students will learn the craft of interviewing, how to write an article, the art of taking photos, design and layout, how to use publication programs and various styles of journalism.

This course fosters a great deal of leadership and school spirit and allows students from a number of grades to work together. In addition to covering school events, students will be exploring magazine layout and design. Students must be able to meet deadlines as the course will be run as an Editorial Board with specific assignments and publication deadlines. If you want to see concrete results at the end of the school year with a great yearbook, then this is the course for you.

This course is scheduled outside the timetable and requires a commitment of attending school functions and attending lunch and/or afternoon meetings.

English Preparation 10-12

This course for students whose primary language is not English. The emphasis in this course is on increasing proficiency in English in each of the four main communication skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). In addition to frequent reading and writing assignments, there will be ongoing grammar instruction, vocabulary building, pronunciation practice, and regular speaking and listening activities to improve the student's ability to communicate effectively in English.