LEARNING AREA: ENGLISH

LEVEL ONE ENGLISH: NCEA LEVEL 1 (Compulsory) or English Through Exercise or Te Reo Māori

Course Description: How do we overcome the obstacles in our lives? What does it take to rise to the  top? Does success mean the same thing for everyone? In this level one course you will develop your reading, writing, thinking and presenting skills by studying a  range of different texts that focus on success ,sacrifice and identity. The course will make  you think about the challenges you face every day, and how you go about confronting them.  

Possible Pathways: This course leads to the senior English courses which will provide entry to University and other tertiary courses. The skills and knowledge provided will underpin all  learning. 

NCEA credits available: 15 (+ 5 opt in Writing portfolio external credits)  This Level 1 English course offers 10 internal and 5 external achievement standards.  To get a subject endorsement for  English you need at least 14 credits from (at least 3 ) internal and (at least 3) external credits.  

Exclusions: Entry is open to all students.

ENGLISH THROUGH EXERCISE: NCEA LEVEL 1 

Course Description: Success, commitment, and perseverance are terms heavily linked with sport and  Physical Education. Yet, from Rocky to Remember the Titans, these ideas are also found in a number of books and movies studied in English. The purpose of this course is to engage you in literacy through Physical Education and Sport.  The course will use sport as a context for learning to enhance your achievement.  

Possible Pathways: This course will lead into English at Level 2. 

NCEA credits available: This Level 1 English course offers 10 internal and 5 external credits in achievement  standards. To get a subject endorsement for  English you need at least 14 credits from (at least 3) internal and

(at least 3)external credits at Merit or Excellence level. 

Exclusions: Entry is open to all students. There is a limit of 22 students. 

LEVEL TWO ENGLISH: NCEA LEVEL 2 

Course Description: In this course we will study two texts from our very own, Aotearoa authors or directors. Through these,  we will explore ideas that are close to home: our mental health crisis, healing through whanaungatanga, the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, disability, and think  about what stories we need to tell, and why. Throughout the year, a key focus will  be to develop your writing skills so you can become a more confident writer,  which is necessary at Level 2 and will equip you well in life. We will also take time  to develop your speaking skills.  

Possible Pathways: This course leads to L3 English. It opens up the University pathway and other tertiary courses. The skills provided will underpin all cross-curricular learning. 

NCEA credits available: up to 20 This course is a Level 2 English Academic course offering a range of both internal  and external standards, as well as UE literacy. To get a subject endorsement for  English you need at least 14 credits from internal and external credits.  

Exclusions: It is strongly recommended that students attain 14 credits from Level 1 English. This  includes obtaining at least one external standard from the external NCEA examinations.

LEVEL THREE ENGLISH: NCEA LEVEL 3 (Recommended for University Entrance)

Course Description: How do The Joker, Batman and Harvey Dent fit Sigmund Freud’s tripartite model? Who decided that girls like pink, and that boys like blue? How do you convey a clear, concise and critical argument for your readers and listeners? Why is English more than just books written by dead, white men? 
In Level 3 English, you’ll learn how to see texts in a new light by viewing them through many different and critical lenses. You’ll continue to learn how  to think, present, read and write critically, accurately and creatively. You will develop your communication and critical thinking skills through writing and speaking.

Possible Pathways: This course opens up the University pathway and other tertiary courses. It is a  University domain subject with a focus on developing academic critical thinking  and high level language skills.  

NCEA credits available: up to 25 This course offers a full range of both internal and external standards, as well as  UE literacy. To get a subject endorsement for English you need at least 14 credits  from internal and external credits. 14 Credits in Level 3 English are needed for English to count towards University Entrance.  

Exclusions: It is strongly recommended that students attain 14 credits from Level 2 English. This  includes obtaining at least one external standard from the external NCEA examinations to gain a Level 2 English endorsement.

ENGLISH FOR EMPLOYMENT : NCEA LEVEL 3 

Course Description: This course will focus on writing skills and developing your communication. This course will be tailored towards each individual student and will be a mix of Unit standards and Achievement standards. The purpose is to help create more confident writers and communicators so that they feel more ready to enter the working world. 

Possible Pathways: Unlike The Academic English course, this course is less about university entrance and more about passing Level 3 assessments that help with alternative pathways for students. Depending on the students pathway, they can opt into more Achievement standards to possibly gain UE through English.

NCEA credits available: around 20 This course offers a full range of both internal and external standards, as well as  UE literacy. To get a subject endorsement for English you need at least 14 credits  from internal and external credits. 14 Credits in Level 3 English are needed for English to count towards University Entrance.  

Exclusions: It is strongly recommended that students have attended Level 2 English classes to join this course, though, depending on the student, some exceptions may be made.