This grade 12 English course is intended to prepare students for university level English, and is intended to foster critical thinking, and higher-level literacy, especially upon the coherent and confident use of formal academic language, and the development of reading strategies for a broad array of texts. The course is broken into four skill segments.
Oral Communication: This strand of the curriculum focuses on the student’s ability to communicate through spoken language, for example in a presentation to the class, or more generally in the way they answer questions asked of them in spoken English. It also includes the comprehension component of oral communication, that is to say the ability of students to understand and comprehend spoken English. These are extremely important and valuable skills that come in handy in day-to-day life.
Reading and Literature Studies: This segment of the curriculum evaluates a student’s ability to read English literature and to comprehend and analyze it. Shakespeare will be taught in this segment, as well as poetry and short stories. The goal is to leave with a capacity to read independently, critically, and with keen understanding of the text, as well as to be in contact with works of genuine cultural and literary importance.
Writing: the goal of this segment is to produce confident and effective writers who can organize their thoughts clearly, while producing strong and grammatically correct sentences. Beyond that the course will also focus on various forms of writing including the essay, which is central to higher level coursework in English and other disciplines. Students will be exposed to a variety of forms of writing, and given the opportunity to develop strong writing skills.
Media Studies: This segment focuses on analyzing and interpreting media texts, including graphics, sounds, and images. The influence of mass media and popular culture is explored and discussed critically. Students are given the tools to make sure they can be aware of the messages floating around mass media and online culture in an academic and critical capacity, as well as the capability to create their own contributions to that culture.