English 

ENGLISH

Structure of the English Learning Area

The English course at Canberra High School aims to develop each student's personal language competencies in keeping with the ACT Curriculum Framework and the new Essential Learning Areas.  Students will demonstrate growing achievement in:

·                     understanding the main themes, ideas and points of view expressed in a variety of texts and comparing these with other texts

·                     showing explicit awareness of the needs and expectations of their audience when writing and speaking

·                     showing explicit critical awareness of the relationship between purpose and form

·                     creating text to explore ideas and test perceptions in a creative and imaginative way

·                     using written and spoken language that shows awareness of how linguistic structures and features influence people's interpretations of texts

·                     planning and writing detailed and organised expository texts

·                     writing detailed, unified narratives and personal accounts that explore challenging ideas and issues

·                     comparing and contrasting media and visual texts and showing some critical awareness of the relationship between the medium and the message

·                     speaking confidently and appropriately in situations such as reporting formally to an audience, exploring ideas in a group, welcoming visiting speakers, debating issues and interviewing members of the public.

Work is organised into term topics centred on themes.

A variety of teaching strategies is designed to meet the individual student's needs in an effort to maintain a rewarding and enjoyable, complete and expanding language experience.

English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learner Assistance (LA) classes are offered to students who would benefit from small classes with specialist teachers. Intensive teaching can assist students to re-enter mainstream classes when their English skills have developed sufficiently.

Assessment:  In all years, English is continuously assessed throughout the year and covers the areas of reading, listening, writing, viewing and speaking, with reporting each semester.  Details of assessment requirements and procedures are made known to the students, in writing, at the beginning of each semester, in the unit outlines.