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Teacher in Charge: Mrs Stacey Stewart
stacey.stewart@wdsg.school.nz
Course description:
Level 2 English is designed for students ready to engage with language and literature at greater depth. This course builds the critical and creative capabilities needed to understand how meaning is shaped — and to shape it deliberately in return.
Students will respond to a wide range of increasingly complex texts, including literature, film, non-fiction, and media. They will examine how authors use structure, voice, symbolism, and other language features to express ideas, challenge assumptions, and reflect cultural values. The study of texts is paired with analytical writing, where students form strong arguments, make insightful connections, and support ideas with precise evidence.
Students will complete a selection of NCEA Level 2 English standards — both internal and external — that assess their ability to interpret texts, analyse unfamiliar material, and create crafted, controlled writing. This course includes standards that contribute towards University Entrance Literacy and provides a strong foundation for further success at Level 3.
This course encourages purposeful writing, independent thinking, and critical reflection. Students will become confident communicators who can read between the lines, write with intent, and engage with the world through language.
Assessment:
Internal – up to 10 credits at NCEA Level 2.
External – up to 8 credits at NCEA Level 2.
(includes 12 Literacy credits)
Costs: Nil
Stationery: Folder, refill and coloured tab dividers; pens and highlighters.
Entry criteria:
English is a compulsory subject in Year 12 at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. All students are enrolled in an NCEA Level 2 English course appropriate to their learning needs, based on their Year 11 results and teacher recommendations. Final placement decisions are made at the discretion of the Head of English.
Future pathways:
This course is a prerequisite for Level 3 English at Dio.
Note: At NCEA Level 2 and above, literature studies may include complex or challenging themes that require social and emotional maturity to engage with meaningfully. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Head of English, Stacey Stewart, directly.
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