Level 1 English
Ākonga will select a course that best suits their interests and needs.
Qualification: NCEA Level 1 English
Entry Requirements: There are no prerequisites for these courses.
Content / Skills: Each course is designed to focus on one of three key literacies covered in the English curriculum: oral literacy; written literacy; and visual literacy. While each course prioritises one of these literacies, ākonga will still encounter oral, written, and visual texts in each course.
In each course, ākonga will:
read and study literature texts such as novel, drama, film, poetry and/or short stories
write in different contexts, such as creative and formal writing, fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose
develop skills in language use and analysis
develop close-reading and critical thinking skills
develop oral presentation skills
Assessment: Each course offers a mixture of internal and external standards for a total of 15 credits.
Field Trips: Kaiako may organise outings for their classes throughout the course of the year.
Possible Course Costs: There are stationery costs associated with each course. Ākonga are encouraged to purchase any extended texts required. Kaiako may organise performances for their classes throughout the course of the year, and may ask for a contribution to help cover costs.
Where does each course lead? NCEA Level 2 English.
Course summaries for each course are listed below.
For further information on any of these courses see Mrs Teesdale or Dr Williamson.
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ENO101: Finding My Voice (Oral Literacy)
The kaupapa of this course is the power of spoken language and the impact and power our words can have to make change. This course is for rangatahi who are passionate about social justice, advocacy, and making a positive difference in their communities. By focusing on texts that advocate for social action, ākonga will be encouraged to express themselves effectively and to speak up and make a difference in their own world. Topics considered could be marginalisation and silencing, alternate perspectives, propaganda, misinformation and disinformation techniques, or the language and oratory of leadership.
Ākonga will explore a selection of oral, written, and visual texts, from speeches to manifestoes, from poetry to thought-provoking narrative prose. You will learn how to express yourself clearly and convincingly, whether you are giving a presentation, participating in a debate, or simply chatting with friends. Ākonga will have plenty of opportunities to practise their speaking skills in a supportive and encouraging environment, with classmates who share their enthusiasm for the spoken word.
Internal Assessments:
AS91924 (English 1.1): Demonstrate understanding of how context shapes verbal language use
AS91925 (English 1.2): Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text
External Assessment:
AS91927 (English 1.4): Demonstrate understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts
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ENW101: Writers and Readers (Written Literacy)
Do you love to get lost in a good book? Do you have a novel burning inside you? The kaupapa of this course is the relationship between reading and writing. Whether you're reading for pleasure, writing the next bestseller, or simply have a love of language, this course will show you how to approach a wide range of written materials, both fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose.
In this course, ākonga will be supported to improve their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. They will also be helped to hone their writing skills, from brainstorming and organising their ideas to crafting compelling sentences and paragraphs. You will learn how to identify and analyse key information, make connections between different ideas, and draw your own conclusions. This course will help you develop the confidence and creativity necessary to express yourself forcefully and with flair. Ākonga will study a class novel but will also have the opportunity to pursue their own reading interests and goals.
Internal Assessment:
AS91925 (English 1.2): Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text
External Assessments:
AS91926 (English 1.3): Develop ideas in writing using stylistic and written conventions
AS91927 (English 1.4): Demonstrate understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts
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ENV101: Through the Looking Glass (Visual Literacy)
The kaupapa of this course is visual literacy and how to decipher the codes and conventions in texts like posters, illustrations, film, television and video games. In this course, ākonga will learn how to "read" and analyse the intricacies of visual storytelling by delving into visual texts and the language used to create them. Ākonga will be exposed to a wide range of visual texts from a variety of genres, time periods, and cultures. They will study and analyse a visual text, such as a film or TV show, to develop their own visual literacy.
There will also be a focus on visual text creation and writing about visual texts. Ākonga will be encouraged to effectively communicate their own ideas through visual media and will be given the opportunity to apply their visual literacy skills by creating their own compelling and effective visual images for assessment.
Internal Assessments:
AS91924 (English 1.1): Demonstrate understanding of how context shapes verbal language use
AS91925 (English 1.2): Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text
External Assessment:
AS91926 (English 1.3): Develop ideas in writing using stylistic and written conventions