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English Courses
Ana Guzowska
Ana Guzowska
The English faculty believes in the importance of education and understand how English skills are central to being an effective communicator, critical thinker and valued member of the community.
English focuses on a student's skills placing them on a learning continuum across all five communication modes. We see the value in every effort to communicate ideas and recognise the interconnected communicative modes of listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and representing as central to being a top performing English student.
English Studies
Number of Units: 2
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes* *with exam
Course Costs: Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
English Studies Additional Information
English Studies Additional Information
Course Overview
The stand-alone 2-Unit English Studies Prelim & HSC course is available for all students. The focus is on practical literacy, communication, and real-world texts. It develops and supports students’ skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking for a variety of academic and workplace contexts.
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Transition to English Studies: Reading to Write - anthology of Australian Texts
On the Road - Film Tracks
Lyrical Voices - Music Lyrics
HSC Course (Year 12)
Narrative and Human Experiences - Past The Shallows
The Big Screen - The Shawshank Redemption
Media Influence - Writing for Purpose
Uncovering the Truth - range of media texts
Typical School-Based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Transition to English Studies: Reading to Write, writing portfolio
On the Road, multimodal
End of Course Exam, Lyrical Voices
HSC Course (Year 12)
Narrative and Human Experiences, analytical response
Mid Course Exam
Writing for Purpose - creative task
Trial HSC Exam
HSC Exam
Duration: 2 hours (+ 10 mins reading)
Typical format: Short Answer Questions + Extended Response + Writing for Purpose
NOTE - After the Trial HSC Examination, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of participating in the final HSC exam. However, students must be fully aware of the consequence that this also results in ATAR Ineligibility. If a student does not require an ATAR for their post-school goals, this is a viable option.
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
Both vocational and academic pathways are possible through the study of English Studies as it can be ATAR eligible.
Tertiary Preequisite Possibilities
Provided that a student completes the final HSC exam, many Universities and Colleges accept the English Studies course as meeting their entry criteria for having studied 2-Units of English. However, students must check with each individual institution and the specific course for which you’re applying to ensure that your HSC course pathway is eligible.
Past Student Challenges
Being unwilling to invest any personal time to preparation, homework and study
Being unwilling to develop your text analysis skills
Students who do well in/Enjoy this subject
Students who are curious, mature learners
Students enjoy a real world focus and are willing to appreciate the vocational relevance of this course
Those who are open to support and feedback to structure their work
Students with varied reading tastes and habits
English Standard
Number of Units: 2
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes
Course Costs: Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
English Standard Additional Information
English Standard Additional Information
Course Overview
Standard English is a challenging course that develops a solid academic response through studying a range of literary texts. Students are supported to write clearly, analyse ideas, and communicate effectively throughout their stage 6 study.
Suitability: Students who consistently achieve at least a C in Year 10 will be best prepared to succeed in this course.
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Reading to Write- Anthology of Australian texts.
Contemporary Possibilities- The Truman Show film.
Close Study of Literature- Wilfred Owen’s poetry.
HSC Course (Year 12)
Texts and Human Experiences- Henry Lawson’s prose fiction.
Language, Culture and Identity- Contemporary Australian Asian Poets.
Close Study of Literature.- The Arrival film
Craft of Writing
Typical School-Based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Reading to Write, discursive, imaginative, reflective or informative writing
Contemporary Possibilities, analytical response
End of Course Exam - Close Study of Literature
HSC Course (Year 12)
Texts and Human Experiences, analytical response
Language, Culture and Identity, analytical response
Mid Course Exam (short answer questions, + Craft of Writing, discursive, imaginative, persuasive &/or reflective writing)
Trial HSC Exam
HSC Exam
Paper 1 (Day 1): 90 mins (+ 10 mins reading); short answer questions + extended response/essay
Paper 2 (Day 2): 2 hours (+ 5 mins reading); 2 x essays + discursive, imaginative, persuasive &/or reflective
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
2 Unit Standard English is accepted by most universities, vocational courses and careers as a popular and functional 2 unit English course
Tertiary Preequisite Possibilities
Some Law, Education, Communications, Business and Humanities undergraduate courses may require 2 Unit Standard English
Past Student Challenges
Larger volume of syllabus content and reading material (compared to English Studies)
Essay writing and reading set texts properly
Skills in imaginative and creative writing
Unwillingness to invest personal time to reading, study and writing practice
Students who do well in/Enjoy this subject
Enjoy reading various texts
Have developed their essay writing skills in Yr 10
Those willing to take on advice and feedback to continue developing their skills
Those willing to invest 7 - 14 hours of personal time each week
English Advanced
Number of Units: 2
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes
Course Costs: Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
English Advanced Additional Information
English Advanced Additional Information
Course Overview
This is the most demanding 2 unit English option, and as a prerequisite to study HSC Extension 1 and 2 English, it requires students to deeply engage with complex texts and ideas. It develops sophisticated analytical and writing skills, with a strong emphasis on critical interpretation and precise expression.
Suitability: Students who consistently achieve a high B or an A in Year 10 will be the best prepared to engage with the academic rigour and meet the demands of this course.
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Reading to Write- Anthology of Australian texts.
Narratives that Shape Our World- V for Vendetta and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Critical Study of Literature- Macbeth.
HSC Course (Year 12)
Texts and Human Experiences- Henry Lawson prose fiction.
Textual Conversations- Inside My Mother Poetry and Bush Studies.
Critical Study of Literature- Othello.
Craft of Writing.
Typical School-Based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Reading to Write, discursive, imaginative, reflective or informative writing
Narratives that Shape Our World, comparative essay response
End of Course Exam- Critical Literature Study
HSC Course (Year 12)
Texts and Human Experiences, analytical response
Textual Conversations, analytical response
Mid Course Exam - Texts and Human Experiences
Trial HSC Exam
HSC Exam
Duration:
Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes + 10 minutes reading time + Paper 2: 2 hours + 5 minutes reading time
Typical format:
Paper 1 - Texts and Human Experiences - Sections 1 & 2
1: Reading Section - between 4-7 Short Answer Questions; 2: Extended Response/ Essay
Paper 2 - Modules A, B & C
A: Textual Conversations (Essay); B: Critical Study of Literature (Essay); C: Craft of Writing - Discursive, Imaginative, Persuasive or Reflective writing
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
Law, Government, Business and Corporate
Media, Communications, Writing, Publishing
Education and Academia
Tertiary Preequisite Possibilities
Some Law, Communications and Humanities courses may require Advanced English
Past Student Challenges
Volume of syllabus content and reading material compared to other English courses
Autonomous learning
Complex vocabulary and advanced English skills
Unwilling to study and read widely during personal-time
Students who do well in/Enjoy this subject
Love reading a wide range of complex texts including Shakespeare
Willing to invest 7-14 hours per week in own time
Those who enjoy learning independently and using critical thinking to develop their English skills
English Extension
Number of Units:
Extension 1 - 1 unit
Extension 2 - 1 unit
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes
Course Costs: Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
English Extension Additional Information
English Extension Additional Information
Course Overview
English Extension 1 is an advanced HSC course that deepens students’ understanding of literature through independent, critical study and exploration of complex texts. Students can also add a further 1 unit English Extension 2 course in Year 12 to make 4 units overall of English. Extension 2 is a highly independent HSC course where students design and produce a major original work, supported by a critical reflection.
Suitability: Students who achieve an A in Year 10 would be best prepared to attempt either of the Extension options. Enrolment will be subject to an initial EOI and the advice of the Leader of Teaching and Learning.
Proposed study units: *NOTE: both Extension 1 and 2 electives and unit focus may vary depending on student interest, teacher expertise and resources available.
Preliminary Course (Year 11) - Texts, culture and value: study of The Gothic Genre
The study of Dracula and its manifestations
Related Research project (student choice of one text and its manifestations)
Extension 1 HSC Course (Year 12) - Literary worlds (including the elective Hybrid Worlds)
The study of three prescribed text: As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, Dropbear by Araluen, Consider The Lobster by Wallace and one student chosen related text.
A formal online examination
Extension 2 HSC Course (Year 12)
Author and Authority - Author Study, Henry James
Major Work - students create either short fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, critical response, stage, film or television script, podcasts, multimedia.
Typical School-Based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Podcast Discussion
Creative and critical reflection
End of Course Exam - Extended response Q’s
Extension 1 HSC Course (Year 12)
Imaginative response & reflection
Critical response, including related material
Trial HSC Exam
Extension 2 HSC Course (Year 12)
Viva Voce on major work
The Author and Authority, Literary review
Trial HSC Exam
HSC Exam
Extension 1: 2 hours online exam (+ 10 mins reading); 2 x extended response questions, @25-marks each
Extension 2: 90 mins online exam (+ 10 mins reading); 2 x extended response questions, @20-marks each
Past Student Challenges
Low desire to develop understanding of literary theory and its application
Discussion and critiquing own and peer ideas
Skills in researching, critical thinking, analysing and communicating
Taking on and applying feedback
Students who do well in/Enjoy this subject
Students love reading including reading canon texts, literature
Students who enjoy autonomy in their work
Are interested in literary theory and critical thinking
Enjoy ‘flipped’ and independent learning
Willing to invest 7+ hours/week of personal time
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