English 8

Students will begin an academic development of skills in English. Areas of focus include reading, writing, listening and speaking. Short stories, novels and poetry are major areas of study. Creative writing will also be emphasized. Vocabulary and writing skills will be addressed within units of study.

 

English 9

Students will continue to develop the communication skills introduced in Humanities 8: reading, writing, listening and speaking. They will explore more challenging works of literature of various genres and write extensively using the writing process. Students will study vocabulary, grammar and language concepts to develop a stronger sense of the way the English language works.

 

English 10A: Focused Literary Studies/Creative Writing

English 10A is two courses in one. The units in this course will focus on literary studies grouped by theme, author, and/or time period, etc. and the development of personal writing in multiple genres and styles using a variety of models and sources. Students will complete a wide range of readings, literary analysis tasks, presentations and writing tasks over the course of the year, including essay writing. 

 

English 10B: New Media/Composition

English 10B is two courses in one. The units in this course will focus on media studies, including mainstream and social media, film and documentary studies as well as digital literacy. Students will also develop skills in different forms of writing, both personal and formal, from planning to drafting to editing. This will include reading and modelling the writing of others in a variety of styles. Students will complete a wide range of analysis, presentation and writing tasks over the course of the year, including essay writing.

 

English 11A: Focused Literary Studies

Students in this course can expect a rigorous study of literary genres, techniques and analysis methods. Students will read and analyze literature that is intellectually challenging and hone their critical thinking skills. The critical analysis of major philosophies and themes will be discussed through a selection of short stories, plays, poetry, novels, and visual media. Students will work to improve their skills at writing multi-paragraph compositions which incorporate descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and expository writing. The formal study of grammar and syntax is also an important component of this course.  

 

English 11B: New Media

This is a continuation of the Media Studies course from last year. This course will focus on developing original work from the techniques and methods studied last year, such as advertising and podcasting, as well as investigating other ways modern media impacts the message and our society, including mainstream and social media, film and documentary studies as well as digital literacy. Students will also read and analyze literature that is intellectually challenging and hone their critical thinking skills.  

 

English 11C: Creative Writing

Students in this course will mix literary analysis with personal writing to explore and expand on concepts introduced in 10A. There will be a focus on the development of personal writing in multiple genres and styles using a variety of models and sources. Students will complete a wide range of readings, literary analysis tasks, presentations and writing tasks over the course of the year. They will become consumers of a variety of genres and styles of writing, and craft increasingly complex original pieces spanning analysis to non-fiction to fiction. Students will begin to build a portfolio of work that can continue into the 12 level elective, which can become part of a professional portfolio should they desire.

 

English First Peoples 12

English First Peoples 12 builds upon and extends students’ previous learning experiences in English Language Arts courses.  The course is grounded in the First Peoples Principles of Learning and will delve deeply into the First Peoples’ oral and written literature.  It is designed for all students to think critically and creatively as they continue to explore, extend and strengthen their own writing.  Within a supportive community, sutdnets work individually and collaboratively to explore oral and written literature and create powerful, purposeful compositions.  Furthermore, through the study of authentic Indigenous text, students will be able to: extend their capacity to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts; deepen their understanding of themselves and insgiths into key apects of Canada’s past, present and future as related to First Peoples; expand their understanding of what it means to be educated Canadian and global citizens.  This course meets the new graduation requirement to have 4 credits in both an Indigenous Focused course, and the English Language Art 12 requirement for all students graduating in B.C. after September 2023. 

 

English Studies 12: Mandatory

The required English Studies 12 course builds on and extends students’ previous learning experiences in ELA 10 and 11 courses. It is designed for all students and provides them with opportunities to refine their communications skills across a variety of contexts to achieve personal and career goals. It is also intended to help students think critically and creatively about the uses of language in texts from a variety of sources, in multiple modes or forms, that reflect our diverse world. It is intended to provide the chance to deepen the understanding of self, how that fits into our changing world, and gain insight into how identity – personal, cultural, national, etc. – is formed. The course also addresses the idea of representation, the idea of incorporating the ideas of reconciliation to connect to the understanding of First People’s, and to develop one’s understanding of what it means to be an educated citizen of Canada and the World.

 

English Studies 12: AP Option

AP English Studies 12 is a double credited course that includes both credits for AP English as well as English First Peoples 12. Students will receive 4 credits for AP English as well as 4 credits for English First Peoples 12 upon successful completion of the course. While the course reflects the values of English First Peoples 12 as stated in the above description, the AP option is a rigorous and rewarding course for students who have have a passion for literary analysis and critical thinking. In addition to content from English First Peoples 12, students will study other works of recognized literary merit and will use these studies as a basis for writing expository or argumentative formal essays. Independent projects, examinations and oral presentations will also be a part of the program. The emphasis is on literary analysis, critical thinking and reasoned, well developed expression. In addition, students may also elect to write the AP examination, which gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of interpretive reading and writing skills. A score of 4 or 5 on the exam gives a student credit for first year English at UBC, SFU, UVic and many other post-secondary institutions.  Recommendation: Suggested "B" grade minimum in English 11 course, preferably in Lit Studies 11.  

 

English 12B: Creative Writing (Elective)

This course is designed to bring polish and sophistication to a portfolio of work that is ready to send out for publication. We will continue with the development of personal writing in multiple genres and styles using a variety of models and sources. Students will complete a wide range of readings, literary analysis tasks, presentations and writing tasks over the course of the year. Genres will be diverse, and there will be a mix of analysis, as well as a diversity of personal writing and presentations of work.