English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
In English, students learn about the study and use of the English language in its various textual forms. These encompass spoken, written and visual texts through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected. Complexity increases as students progress through their schooling.
Developing proficiency in English enables students to take their place as confident communicators; critical and imaginative thinkers; lifelong learners; and informed, active participants in Australian society. Their understanding of English through knowledge and skills acquisition is essential to their intellectual, social and emotional development.
The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.
In Year 11 and 12, the study of English is mandatory. Courses offered include:
- English Extension 2
- English Extension 1
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English Studies
- English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
- English Life Skills.
English at Kotara High School
Encourage Engage Enlighten Enrich Empower
The study of English at Kotara High School is creatively challenging and intellectually inspiring. Through composing and responding to texts from Years 7 to 12, students learn about the power, value and art of the English language. Our faculty focuses on explicit, critical learning through ALARM (A Learning and Responding Matrix) and Visible Learning. Students are empowered to become critical and imaginative thinkers, confident communicators, lifelong learners and informed and active citizens in a global world.
STAGE 4
Students respond to a variety of texts critically, imaginatively and interpretively with deepening understanding of purpose, audience and context. They compose texts using a widening repertoire of language forms and features to create and shape meaning. Students make connections between texts and the ways texts seek to postion responders. They critically analyse and evaluate their own and others’ compositions and reflect on their learning. Students become aware of how they learn, effective ways to learn and what they need to learn next.
STAGE 5
Students compose and respond to a comprehensive range of imaginative, factual and critical texts using different modes and technologies. They focus on details of texts to critically analyse meaning, perspective, cultural assumptions, ideologies and language. Students develop personal style and sustained interpretations supported by evidence. They conform or challenge preconceptions and expectations of content and form and critically evaluate the effectiveness of each approach. Students reflect on composing processes and learning strategies to adapt their knowledge, understanding and skills to new contexts.
STAGE 6
ENGLISH STUDIES
This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to become competent and and engaged communicators and to study and enjoy a breadth and variety of texts in English. It centres on empowering students to comprehend, interpret and evaluate the ideas, values, language forms, features and structures of texts from a range of everyday social, cultural, academic, community and workplace contexts. Students become flexible and critical thinkers with deep understanding and appreciation of the variety of cultural heritages that make up Australian and global societies. Students consolidate their literacy skills to enhance their personal, educational, social and vocational lives.
ENGLISH STANDARD
This course offers a rich language experience that is reflected through the integrated modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing. Students engage with texts that include quality literature from the past and contemporary texts from Australia and other cultures. They critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise knowledge gained from a variety of sources to fulfill a diverse range of purposes. Independent, collaborative and reflective learning empowers students with skills required for the world of work as well as post-school training and education.
ENGLISH ADVANCED
Students engage with enriching and challenging learning experiences to extend and deepen their ability to use language in subtle, nuanced, inventive and intricate ways. They investigate complex and evocative ideas to emulate and employ powerful and sophisticated structural devices. Students deepen their understanding of the dynamic relationship between language, texts and meaning. Through exploring and experimenting with processes of composition and response, students consolidate deep knowledge of how language is employed to create artistic expression in texts.
ENGLISH EXTENSION 1 and 2
Students have the opportunity to cleverly craft and cultivate language and develop their personal voice in innovative, insightful and powerful ways. Students learn research methodoloty to undertake extensive investigation and develop autonomy and skills as crtical learners. They critically evaluate multiple meanings and relative values of complex, intellectually challenging texts. Conceptual frameworks are explored to gain deep understanding of the aesthetic of language and how literature shapes and reflects the global world. Students gain critical thinking skills essential for university study.
LEARNING EXPECTATIONS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING and BUILDING QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS:
· Bring appropriate equipment to every lesson
· Accept that learning is challenging and requires effort
· Be resilient and aspire to challenge
· Self- assess, monitor progress and plan learning steps
· Take opportunity to learn from mistakes
· Complete homework to develop independent learning skills
· Value feedback and actively seek regular feedback
· Ask questions to deepen understanding
· Collaborate to learn from and to teach and support the learning of others
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO EXCEED THEIR POTENTIAL