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  • English Language Arts

    The Foundation Years: Grade 9 & 10 

    The foundation years are intended to provide learners with access to a core curriculum with common essential learning.

    Grade 9 and 10 English stresses the basic program objectives in order to:

    • explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences;
    • comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, literary, and media sources;
    • manage ideas and information;
    • enhance the clarity and artistry of communication;
    • celebrate and build community

    English Language Arts 10F 

    Grade 9 English examines the program objectives listed above.

    The course will offer students a broad range of language experiences using a wide variety of literary and transactional sources.

    English Language Arts 20F

    Prerequisite: English 10F

    Grade 10 English stresses the increasing complexities of the program objectives outlined above. To prepare for increasing course specialization, studies will foster a greater awareness of language in various contexts (i.e., the purpose of shaping the message to suit the audience).

    The Specialization Years: Grade 11 & 12 

    The specialization years are intended to provide learners with access to a variety of curricula to allow them to prepare most effectively for their post-secondary goals and for their future in an increasingly complex society.

    All Grade 11 and 12 students may choose any one of the following courses: both with a difference in focus.

    Please note:

    The two course offerings in Grade 11 and 12 are of approximately equal difficulty; however, the skill activities students do in class will be, for the most part, different, even if the thematic unit is similar. Note that both courses satisfy post-secondary entrance requirements.

    Students may choose either of the course offerings in Grade 11 (English 30S or Literary English 30S) and subsequently change their course focus in Grade 12. Their Grade 11 focus choice does not pre-determine their Grade 12 choice.


    Comprehensive English 30S

    Prerequisite: English 20F

    Students will develop a deeper understanding of language, literature, and means of communication by examining and responding to a wide variety of literary and transactional sources. As an example, in a dystopian unit, students might create an essay which compares a film to a novel of their choice. Students will examine and create work with a roughly 50% transactional emphasis and a roughly 50% literary emphasis.

    Literary English 30S 

    Prerequisite: English 20F

    Students explore meaningful and relevant themes presented in literature. They will also develop their own creative writing skills. The acquisition of analysis skills and research skills will also be included. As an example, in a dystopian unit, students might create a series of poems or a short story using imagery to convey emotion and mood. Students will examine and create work with a roughly 30% transactional emphasis, and a roughly 70% literary emphasis. 

    Comprehensive English 40S

    Prerequisite: English 30S or Literary English 30S       

    This course will offer students a broad range of reading and language experiences (non-fiction literature, drama, poetry, documentary films, etc.). Students will refine their analysis skills and develop an awareness of how different texts express ideas and convey meaning. Students will examine and create work with a roughly 50% transactional emphasis, and a roughly 50% literary emphasis.

    Literary English 40S 

    Prerequisite: English 30S or Literary English 30S

    Students will have the opportunity to explore meaningful and relevant themes presented in literature. They can expect to refine their creative writing skills and learn to express main ideas through various forms. Students will also begin to learn various formatting guidelines to refine their academic writing skills in preparation for post-secondary studies. Literary texts including plays, poetry, novels, and films will be explored with a focus on analysis and critical thinking skills. Students will examine and create work with a roughly 30% transactional emphasis, and a roughly 70% literary emphasis.