Through the study of the module Achieving through English – English in education, work and community, students develop an understanding of, and practical competence in, the use of language that allows access to opportunities in schooling, training and employment. They further develop comprehension strategies and improve skills that enable them to express themselves in English confidently, effectively, appropriately and with grammatical accuracy.

The skills developed in the module assist students to access and comprehend information, ideas and language in everyday and workplace texts, and to compose appropriate texts in response. Students experience, engage with and critique literary and other texts that expand horizons by showing, through an imaginative use of language, the variety and richness of people’s working, schooling and community lives. Texts may include longer works for example films, novels, biographies, television series and drama texts, as well as extracts and short texts. The module will also broaden their understanding of the nature and importance of education, work and community as represented in a variety of literary texts.

By engaging in the learning opportunities offered in this module, students develop their skills in comprehending and responding to texts, and develop their abilities to use language imaginatively, expressively and purposefully. By creating a range of responses to the texts studied, students develop a stronger understanding of the power of language to communicate their ideas effectively and learn about the importance of using vocabulary, register and modality appropriately. Opportunities to plan, proofread and edit their work help students develop greater control of spelling, punctuation, syntax and grammar.

Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills in:

• responding to and composing literary texts about the worlds of education and work and about people’s working lives as part of a community

•  responding to the aesthetic and imaginative qualities of a range of literary texts that depict the world of work and education

•  composing their own imaginative and expressive texts that reflect real and/or imagined experiences of the workplace

•  identifying, discussing and debating issues related to working lives.