English

English is all about studying, using and enjoying language and literature, whether it be oral, written or visual.

By providing an increasing and inclusive range of exciting and challenging texts and tasks, the English Department challenges St Dominic’s students at secondary level to think critically, to understand the power and beauty of language and to develop an awareness of their own identity within a universal context.

 

Year 7 and 8 English

 

In Years 7 and 8 students participate in a wide range of activities that develop, consolidate and enhance their English skills. These skills include reading, writing, spelling and grammar. These skills are presented to the students through a number of exciting medium. These medium include the coolest Aussie poems, an exhilarating selection of new and modern novels, a groovy film study, to name but a few. Students will participate in some hot debates on topics that are relevant to students at your age. English at St Dominic’s college is a mosaic of fun activities, self-expression and learning directly targeted to your needs.
 
Year Seven English
Topics at Year 7 include:
§ Narrative poetry – here you learn to write poetry that has the beat and rhythm of song
§ Novel Study – you will take on the role of some cool characters and complete some creative response tasks
§ Film Study – you will view a film and begin to learn film techniques and terminology
§ Language study – this involves the design and creation of a board game using recycled materials
§ Speeches – you will dazzle others with your oratory skills
 
Year Eight English
Topics at Year 8 include:
§ Responsible Choices – As you enter adolescence what and who can help you make a good choice? You will look at some choices made by well-known people in society and analyse these
§ Novel Study – Have you ever pulled apart a book? This is your chance!
§ Language Study – You will look at the powerful world of advertising
§ Inspiring Woman – We celebrate and learn about some fantastic women in society through a research assignment culminating in a powerpoint presentation
§ Film Study – learn how to write a film review
§ Speeches – The prowess of oratory skills

 

Year 9 English

Language Study – After studying parts of speech and figurative language you create a language booklet for a Year 7 audience.

Poetry – In this unit you read a range of poetry and go on to write your own poems in celebration of West Auckland.

Novel – Here you read and study  a novel in class and respond to it through written, visual and performance activities.

Short Story Writing – This is your chance to write as cleverly as Roald Dahl.

Film – This unit is a study of film as visual text and you look at the effects of camera and sound techniques. You will learn to write an analytical essay as a response to the film you study.

Research - Enter the world of Shakespeare and share your findings with the class via PowerPoint.

Personal Writing – It’s all about me ... Moi!  Expressive writing and design to show the world who you are at the end of Year 9.

Speech Competition – Who will be hailed as Year 9’s best speaker??

 

Year 10 English

Formal Writing – Discuss, debate and commit to paper the big issues as you see them. Here you learn to express your opinions formally and persuasively.

Short Story Study – This unit looks at several short stories, usually by New Zealand authors, and leads into the Static Image assessment for Achievement Standard 1.8.

Creative Writing – With its “The hills are alive...” focus, this unit develops descriptive writing and performance poetry.

Shakespearean Study - “Macbeth” or “The Merchant of Venice” or “Romeo and Juliet”. A close reading of the play is undertaken, with focus on character and theme. Performance and essay writing follow the study. You might bring Lady Macbeth or Juliet or even Shylock to life in your Dramatic Monologue for AS 1.8.*

Film – Here you focus on reading the film as a visual text, with an emphasis on camera techniques, characterisation, symbolism and themes. Films studied by classes include “Whalerider” and “A Knight’s Tale”.

Novel -  Meet new characters from a range of exciting texts and get  involved in their lives. You will produce formal and expressive writing in your responses. You might meet some of these individuals again in the Dramatic Monologues.

New Zealand Language – This unit finishes off the year, looking at our Kiwi culture and expressions.

*Achievement Standard 1.8 – Produce a media or dramatic presentation (two assessment opportunities) 3 credits

 

Year 11 (Level 1) English Programme:

Achievement Standards:

1.1  Produce creative writing

1.7   Deliver an oral presentation in a formal situation

(Internally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)

 

1.2   Produce formal writing (3 credits)

1.3   Read, study and show understanding of extended written text(s) (2 credits)

1.4     Read, study and show understanding of short texts (2 credits)

1.5   Read, study and show understanding of Film (2 credits

1.6    Read, study and show understanding of Unfamiliar Texts (3 credits)

(Externally assessed standards)

 Unit standard:

Either 8808 Read an inclusive range of written texts and record the reading experience (3 credits)

or 10792 Write formal personal correspondence (3 credits)

  

Year 11 Foundation English Programme:

This course is for students new to English or for whom the more academic, traditional course is inappropriate.

 Unit Standards:

10792 Write Formal Personal Correspondence (3 credits)

8808 Read an inclusive range of written texts and record the reading experience (3 credits)

8810 Read an inclusive range of visual texts and record the reading experience (2 credits)

8811 Collect information using a range of oral, written, and visual sources and   methods (3 credits)

8813 Produce poetic written text in simple forms (4 credits)

8816 Deliver transactional oral text (3 credits)

 

Year 12 (Level 2)  English Programme:

2.1 Produce crafted and developed creative writing

2.2 Produce crafted and developed formal writing

2.7 Deliver a presentation using oral and visual language techniques

(Internally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)

 

2.3 Analyse extended written texts

2.4 Analyse short written texts

2.5 Analyse a visual or oral text

2.6 Read unfamiliar texts and analyse the ideas and language features

(Externally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)

 Unit Standard:

12905 Read an inclusive variety of written texts and record the reading experience (4 credits)

 

Year 12  Foundation English

This course offers more internally and fewer externally assessed standards.

 2.1 Produce crafted and developed creative writing

2.2 Produce crafted and developed formal writing

2.7 Deliver a presentation using oral and visual language techniques

(Internally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)

 

2.3 Analyse extended written texts

2.5 Analyse a visual or oral text

 (Externally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)

 

Unit Standards:

12905 Read an inclusive variety of written texts and record the reading experience (4 credits)

8823 Investigate a theme across an inclusive range of selected texts (4 credits)

  

Year 13 English Programme:

3.1 Produce an extended piece of writing in a selected style

3.6 Construct and deliver an oral presentation

3.7 Complete independent research on a language or literature topic and present conclusions in writing

(Internally assessed standards, each worth 4 credits)

 

3.2 Respond critically to written text(s) studied

3.3 Respond critically to Shakespearean drama studied

3.4 Respond critically to oral or visual text studied

3.5 Read and respond critically to unfamiliar prose and poetry texts

(Externally assessed standards, each worth 3 credits)
 

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