Learning Framework

English

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English offers exciting opportunities to explore how literature reflects our everyday lives, how we can escape to different worlds and learn about experiences beyond our own. The goals of the Ravenswood English Department align with the expectations of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Students are given opportunities to demonstrate excellence, thus becoming successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens.

Stage 5: Years 9-10

Years 9-10 students maximise their learning experiences through engaging in the study of a wide range of Literature. They read classic texts, as well as contemporary representations of the views and values of society. Building on the work from Year 7 and 8, students continue to develop creative and analytical skills.

Students are exposed to a range of cultural experiences through literature which allows for a rich engagement in English. Students are challenged to undertake various activities that require independent learning as well as developing collaborative skills. Students develop an understanding of how literature reflects society’s values and morals, and how we as individuals can learn from composers and their representations. English allows students to be critical thinkers who can move into wider society with confidence and a broad understanding of the world around them.

Students become discerning learners who look at how context and values inform and shape our understanding of characters, ideas and events. Close critical study of Shakespeare, Poetry, Drama, Novel and Film prepares students for their final Higher School Certificate (HSC) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program in English.

English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EALD) (HSC NESA endorsed course) Students in this course receive guidance and instructional lessons in the foundations of English.
They explore literature, academic and everyday texts in order to respond personally, critically and creatively.

Stage 6: Years 11-12

Higher School Certificate (HSC)

Ravenswood offers English Advanced, English Standard, English Extension 1, English Extension 2 and English as an Additional Language/Dialect in the HSC.

English Advanced

This course is designed for students who have a love of literature and who enjoy reading challenging texts and formulating independent insights, based on their knowledge of context and values. There is a compulsory study of Shakespeare, Poetry, Prose Fiction, and or Drama, or Non-Fiction or Film. Students will also engage with a range of short texts.

English Standard

This course is designed for students who enjoy the study of texts, in order to formulate an understanding of how different perspectives of human nature are conveyed. They are provided support in developing their critical and creative skills, in order to become confident in expressing ideas about literature. Students will study Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and /or Film or Non Fiction.  

English Extension 1

This course is aimed at students who have a sophisticated understanding of literature and who enjoy critically questioning and reflecting upon the composer’s purpose. This course requires students to independently research literary theory and how these philosophical underpinnings influence the ideas and narrative framework of a piece of literature. It demands students to embrace learning opportunities which are challenging.

English Extension 2 (Year 12 Only)

This course is focused around students producing a Major Work. It is designed for students who are independent learners and who have an interest in a particular topic that they would like to pursue. The Major Work can be either creative or critical and must be validated through extensive investigation, which assists in developing this task.

English as an Additional Language/Dialect

This course is offered to students who have received five years or less of education instruction in English. The course is designed to allow students to experience English through a variety of texts and develop greater confidence in critical and creative writing. Students complete four Modules which require them to study and respond to a range of texts. Students are provided with support to develop their writing, listening, speaking and reading skills.

IB Diploma

The IB Diploma gives students a rigorous and holistic alternative to the HSC. Ravenswood offers English A Literature HL/SL, English B HL/SL and English A Language and Literature (from 2020).

English A Literature HL/SL

Currently the English A Literature course is offered, where students study Works in Translation, Detailed Study of Literature, Genre Study plus a selection of Novels, Short Stories and Poetry. The IB Diploma offers students an opportunity to consider their place in the world and how context and values transcend cultural borders. The English A Literature course is offered at both Standard and Higher level.

English A Language and Literature HL/SL

The English A Language & Literature course introduces critical thinking and interpretation of written and spoken texts from a broad range of literary forms and non literary text-types. Texts are analysed and students develop awareness that meaning is not fixed and changes in different contexts of production and consumption. The English A Language & Literature course is offered at both Standard and Higher level.