Ākonga can select a Level 3 course that best suits their interests and needs.

Qualification: NCEA Level 3

Content / Skills: Level 3 English courses are designed to focus on different skills and areas covered within the English curriculum. Ākonga are encouraged to choose a course whose focus most appeals to them. While some courses continue to focus on the skills and areas developed in Level 2 English courses, there is no requirement to have taken the equivalent level 2 English course to enrol in the Level 3 courses. For example, you can take ENT 303 without having taken ENT 203.

While each course prioritises a different skill, ākonga will nevertheless encounter oral, written, and visual texts in each course.

This could include:

• reading and studying literature texts such as novel, drama, film, poetry and/or short stories

• writing in different contexts, such as creative and formal writing, fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose

• developing skills in language use and analysis

• developing close-reading and critical thinking skills

• presenting skills such as oral presentations

Course summaries for each course are listed below.

______________________________________________

ENV 301: Venturing through Visual

Like ENS 201 before it, this course is for those students who prefer the visual literacy component of the English curriculum, or enjoy reading shorter texts rather than extended texts. The kaupapa of “Venturing through Visual” is the study of visual texts such as film, television, and illustrations, as well as short written texts such as short stories, poetry and short non-fiction texts such as articles or essays.

Over the year, ākonga will independently select a film to analyse in depth. They will connect the ideas contained within four texts before taking those visual literacy skills and applying them to the creation of their own static or moving visual text. In all Level 3 courses, the speech is optional. There is only one external in this course, which is a response to short written texts studied in class.

Internal Assessments

• AS91476 (English 3.5): Oral Presentation (3 credits; Optional)

• AS91477 (English 3.6): Create a Visual Text (3 credits)

• AS91478 (English 3.7): Connections Across Texts (4 credits)

• AS91480 (English 3.9): Close Viewing (3 credits)

External Assessment

• AS91472 (English 3.1): Written Text (4 credits; Reading/Writing)

_____________________________________________

ENL 302: Unlocking the Written Word

The kaupapa of “Unlocking the Written Word” is the relationship between reading and writing. This is the course for ākonga who have a love of the written word, who love to write their own texts, and who love to be challenged by what they are reading, writing, or viewing. This course is interested in literature in all its forms, from novels to poetry, short stories to drama and film.

Although this course looks busy, there is only one compulsory standard, Critical Texts, where students take a text of their choice and read it through their own critical ‘lens.’ Ākonga will then select two out of three internals to complete. The first of these standards is the Writing Folio, where students write, edit, and polish two pieces of their choice, from nonfiction to fiction, poetry to prose. The second possibility is Connections Across Texts, where ākonga connect the ideas of four different texts. The third option is the oral presentation, where students lead the class discussion on a topic of their choice. Ākonga will study a range of written texts for the external standard and will continue to fine-tune their close reading and analytical skills in the Unfamiliar Text external.

Internal Assessments:

Compulsory:

• AS 91479 (English 3.8): Critical Texts (4 credits, Reading)

Two out of:

• AS91475 (English 3.4): Writing Folio (6 credits; Writing)

• AS91476 (English 3.5): Oral Presentation (3 credits)

• AS91478 (English 3.7): Connections Across Texts (4 credits)

External Assessments

• AS91472 (English 3.1): Written Text (4 credits; Reading/Writing)

• AS91474 (English 3.3): Unfamiliar Text (4 credits; Reading/Writing)

______________________________________________

ENT 303: Travelling through Texts

Like ENT 203 before it, this is our most general English course. Here, ākonga will encounter a little bit of everything. The kaupapa or theme of the course will be selected by the kaiako and could include a focus on feminist issues, dystopian texts, a specific historical timeframe, Aotearoa New Zealand texts, or a specific genre or style of texts.

Ākonga will study and analyse a range of written, visual and oral texts over the course of the year. They will independently select and analyse a visual text of their own and will also produce an essay connecting the ideas contained within four written, visual and/or oral texts. The oral presentation standard is optional. The external assessments will be based on studied written texts such as poetry, short stories or novel, as well as a studied visual text such as film or television.

Internal Assessments:

• AS91476 (EnglIsh 3.5): Oral Presentation (3 credits; Optional)

• AS91478 (English 3.7): Connections Across Texts (4 credits)

• AS91480 (English 3.9): Close Viewing (3 credits)

External Assessments:

• AS91472 (English 3.1): Written Text (4 credits; Reading/Writing)

• AS91473 (English 3.2): Visual Text (4 credits; Writing)

______________________________________________

You can enrol in more than one Level 3 English course. However, if you choose to do so, please check that the standards offered in each course will allow you to earn enough credits to contribute to the 60 credits needed to gain Level 3 NCEA and that you have at least two other University Entrance domain subjects.

Entry Requirements: A grade of Achieved or higher in at least one internal and one external Level 2 English standard, or at the discretion of the Head of English Learning Area.

Students opting for Level 3 English need to understand that a high degree of effort, self management and organisational skills is required for success at this level of study. Students are also expected to embrace and strive to demonstrate our school values of whanaungatanga, aroha, rangatiratanga and manaakitanga.

Literacy Requirement for University Entrance: To meet the University Entrance literacy requirement students must gain 5 credits in writing and 5 credits in reading at NCEA Level 2 or above. Level 3 English offers a range of internal and external standards that contribute towards this requirement. Each course varies in the number of reading and writing credits that it offers.

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? Skills developed in English are increasingly valued by employers and tertiary institutions. Students who study English develop excellent analytical skills, strong oral communication abilities, essay writing skills and a command of written language, all of which are essential for success in any tertiary programme.

Studying English at university can lead to many rewarding pathways such as publishing, editing and proofreading, advertising and copywriting, technical writing, communications, public relations, journalism, media and social media, teaching, libraries and museum curatorship and, of course, writing and authorship.

For further information on any of these courses see Mrs Teesdale or Dr Williamson.