English & Modern Languages Department

The English and Modern Languages Department, which includes courses in English, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, French, Spanish, and English as a Second Language, is a department that your child will be a part of throughout their high school career. The development of language and communication skills is central to students’ intellectual, social, cultural, and emotional growth. It is a key component of the curriculum, and integral to preparing for the various pathways that your child may choose to take, and for the demands of the 21^st Century global community. Through the study of English, students learn to support their views with sound arguments and evidence from research. They become aware of the purposes for which language is used for, the diverse forms it can take, and the diverse perspectives and viewpoints it can be used to represent. Students develop the skills they need via opportunities to read widely, think deeply, speak clearly, write logically, and explore creatively. English allows students to realize that language is a powerful tool to express their voice and develop a sense of self, identity, and awareness not only of themselves, but of the world around them.

The study of French is also an important part of the secondary school curriculum. French is not only one of Canada’s two official languages, but is also widely used around the world. Through learning a second language, students can strengthen their first-language skills and enhance their critical and creative thinking abilities, as well as knowledge of other cultures. Indeed, the ability to communicate in another language provides students with a distinct advantage in a number of careers, both in Canada and internationally.