English

In the English Learning Area, students learn about the English language: how it works and how to use it effectively. The study of English plays a vital role in the development of students’ literacy, enhances their learning in all areas of the curriculum and provides them with the communication skills and critical understanding of language necessary for active participation in society.

The Australian Curriculum for English is organised into three interrelated strands that support your growing understanding and use of Standard Australian English. These strands are Language: Knowing about the English language, Literature : Understanding, appreciating, responding to, analysing and creating literature and Literacy: Expanding your abilities to use and understand our language. Together the three strands focus on developing your knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, and writing.

For each task students complete they will be assessed not only on the finished product but on the process they follow, as directed by their teacher. Each step of the process will help them to achieve an outcome in one or more of the learning strands.

Therefore, it is important for students to remember that to successfully attain a higher level in each outcome they must work consistently throughout each step of a task : just submitting the finished product is not enough.

English Learning Outcomes

  1. Understanding Language
    Students understand that the way language is used varies according to context.
  2. Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
    Students understand that language has an important effect on the ways in which they view themselves and the world in which they live.
  3. Conventions
    Students use the conventions of Standard Australian English with understanding and critical awareness.
  4. Processes and Strategies
    Students select from a repertoire of processes and strategies when listening, viewing, reading, speaking and writing be reflecting on their understanding of the way language works.
  5. Listening
    Students listen actively with purpose, understanding and critical awareness in a wide range of situations.
  6. Speaking
    Students speak with purpose and effect in a wide range of contexts.
  7. Viewing
    Students view a wide range of visual texts with purpose, understanding and critical awareness.
  8. Reading
    Students read a wide range of texts with purpose, understanding and critical awareness.
  9. Writing
    Students write for a range of purposes and in a range of forms using conventions appropriate to audience, purpose and context.

English as a Second Language (ESL) is made available to eligible students. This course is provided by a specialist teacher. ESL students have a reasonable command of the English language – students with little command of English should enrol at an Intensive English Centre (IEC). The nearest IECs to Kent Street are at Greenwood, Melville and Lynwood Senior High Schools.

Senior School English

ATAR - English

The  English  ATAR  course  focuses  on  developing  students’  analytical,  creative  and  critical  thinking  and communication skills in all language modes, encouraging students to critically engage with texts from their contemporary world, the past and from Australian and other cultures. Through close study and wide reading, viewing and listening, students develop the ability to analyse and evaluate the purpose, stylistic qualities and conventions of texts and to enjoy creating imaginative, interpretive, persuasive and analytical responses in a range of written, oral, multimodal and digital forms.

General - English

The General English Course focuses on consolidating and refining the skills and knowledge needed by students to become competent, confident and engaged users of English in everyday, community, social, further education, training and workplace contexts. The course is designed to provide students with the skills to succeed in a wide range of post-secondary pathways by developing their language, literacy and literary skills. Students comprehend, analyse, interpret, evaluate and create analytical, imaginative,  interpretive and persuasive texts in  a  range of  written, oral, multimodal  and  digital forms.

ATAR - English as an Additional Language/Dialect*

The EAL/D courses are designed for students who speak another language or dialect as their first or ‘home’ language. EAL/D focuses on development of the competent use of  Standard  Australian  English (SAE)  in  a range of contexts. The EAL/D ATAR course develops academic English skills to prepare students for tertiary study.

*See handbook for eligibility requirements

General - English as an Additional Language/Dialect*

The EAL/D courses are designed for students who speak another language or dialect as their first or ‘home’ language. EAL/D focuses on  development of the competent use  of  Standard  Australian  English  (SAE)  in  a range of contexts. The EAL/D General course prepares students for a range of post-secondary destinations in further education, training and the workplace.

*See handbook for eligibility requirements