What English Course Should I Choose?

The Courses – 2 Units

The following three courses fulfill your HSC English requirements:

• Advanced English• Standard English• English Studies (Non Atar)

English Advanced

• This course is for “students to become critical and sophisticated users of English in order to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives. These courses provide students who have a particular interest and ability in the subject with challenging learning experiences and opportunities to enjoy the breadth and variety of English texts…”

What does it involve?

• You do the Area of Study, which is the same exam for Standard English. Then you do another exam focusing on THREE Modules (A, B and C) which are specific to the Advanced English syllabus.

• Mod A: you compare 2 texts• Mod B: you study 1 text in detail and critically, focusing

on your own interpretation• Mod C: you study how representation affects meaning• In total, you study 5 prescribed texts including ( 1 for

AOS, 2 for Mod A, 1 for Mod B, 1 for Mod C). You need related texts for AOS and Mod C.

• You must study a Shakespeare text in both Yr 11 & 12.

Why do it?

• You enjoy English – reading, writing, interpreting texts

• You achieved mainly As and Bs in your assessments in Yr 9 and 10.

• You enjoy being challenged and are self motivated

• You want to do Extension 1 • You want to focus on English related degrees at

university

English Standard

• This course is for “students to become proficient in English to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives. These courses provide students with the opportunity to become confident and effective communicators and to enjoy the breadth and variety of English texts.”

What does it involve?• You do the Area of Study, which is the same exam for Advanced

English. Then you do another exam focusing on THREE Modules (A, B and C) which are specific to the Standard English syllabus.

• Mod A: you study how composers create unique voices or visions in their texts

• Mod B: you study 1 text in detail, focusing on its unique features• Mod C: you study texts in relation to a particular topic (similar to

the AOS)• In total, you study 4 prescribed texts ( 1 for AOS, 1 for Mod A, 1

for Mod B, 1 for Mod C). You need related texts for AOS, Mod A and Mod C.

Why do it?

• You are okay at English but don’t necessarily enjoy the subject

• You mainly got results in the C range in 7 - 10• You have some trouble with essays, spelling

and sentence construction• You are planning to go to university after

school but are not going to apply for English based degrees

English Studies

• English Studies is designed to support students in developing proficiency in English to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives. It offers a comprehensive language experience that is reflected in the modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing.

• It is a Non-Atar course suitable for students who wish to move into TAFE and the workforce rather than head off to university immediately after school.

What does it involve?

• One compulsory module in both Yr 11 and 12• In Yr 11 the compulsory module is Achieving

through English – English and the worlds of education, careers and community. The focus is on developing English skills for the workforce.

• 2- 4 Elective Modules per year. These involve a range of different topics including: The Media, Film, The Web, Travel, Drama and Sport.

Why do it?

• You struggled with English in Yrs 7 – 10• Your results were mainly in the D range or lower• You want to head to TAFE and work after school• You do not want to go straight to university after

Yr 12• You are keen to improve your basic English skills• You are not interested in close analysis of texts

and being tested through writing essays.

Still Not Enough English You?

Extension Courses

If you are studying Advanced English and enjoy English you might be interested in doing:• Extension 1• Extension 2 – only studied in Year 12

English Extension 1

• This course is for – “students who are accomplished, analytical and imaginative in their use of English to refine their understanding and appreciation of the cultural roles and significance of texts. The courses are designed for students with a desire to pursue a specialised study of English.”

What does it involve?

• You choose to study 1 Module (A, B, or C) and within that only 1 Elective. Unlike Standard and Advanced, there is only ONE exam. The exam requires you to write 1 creative and 1 essay response (25 marks each) for that 1 Module-Elective.

• This is of course in addition to the Advanced English content and exams (ie, you will do 3 English exams: AOS, Advanced Modules, Extension 1).

• You study 3 prescribed texts. You ultimately choose 2 prescribed texts and 2 related texts for your essay response.

Why do it?

• You are a confident and capable English student

• You enjoy reading a range of literature• You enjoy creative writing• You are an independent learner who enjoys a

challenge• You want to complete an English based

degree at university

English Extension 2

• This course lets “students develop a sustained composition, and document and reflect on this process“.

What does it involve?

• You independently develop a Major Work in a particular area that you are interested in. This can be creative, critical, personal etc. You can use any medium, such as prose, poetry, web, essay etc.

• You document your progress in a journal, which is submitted with your Major Work.

• This is again, all in addition to Advanced English and Extension 1 (ie, you will have 3 English exams and 1 Major Work due in total).

Why do it?

• You have a passion for English and enjoy a challenge

• Only do Extension 2 if you are interested in creating a Major Work. Although only 1 Unit, this subject takes a lot of time and effort – you really need the interest and passion to keep going. You need to be interested in writing and creating an English Major Work, and be able to do the necessary research to support it.

A little test…

• 1) Do you enjoy reading and read appropriate materials or books very often? (that is everyday)

• 2) Are you good at English? (i.e. ALWAYS get Bs or above in assessments & tests)

• 3) Do you enjoy English and its exploration of texts?

• 4) Are you a COMPETITIVE student?

The results

• If the answers to ALL of these were yes, then Advanced and Extension is the one for you

• If the answers to either questions 2 and 4 were no (if only one of questions 2 and 4 was a no), then Standard is the one for you.

• If the answers to questions 2 and 4 were BOTH yes at least, then Advanced is the one for you.

Any Questions?

• Talk to your English Teacher• Talk to Mrs. Madigan• Check with Mrs. Court on what level of English

you will need for your degree, TAFE course etc• Talk to students who are currently studying

the various English courses in Yr 11 and 12