English

Description

During their study of the language at middle secondary school, students will continue to develop the skills to produce, study and respond critically to spoken, written, and visual texts created for a wide range of audiences and purposes. Depending on their level of ability, students will be exposed to increasingly complex texts and language demands. They learn to be critical and independent users of texts and language appropriate to situations in school, in their daily lives and in the workplace.

Unit Topics

Students will undertake the reading of novels and other texts for enjoyment and discussion. Their confidence and ability in selecting books and understanding the ideas and issues raised will be encouraged through the wider reading program. Oral language (speaking and listening) on a range of subjects for a variety of purposes and audiences, and writing to clarify the student’s thoughts, to inform others, to entertain and communicate ideas, will also be an important part of the course.

Skill Development

Students read and respond to a range of texts, including literary text such as novels, short stories, plays, poetry, informative and persuasive texts and visual texts such as film and online websites. They develop a critical understanding of the different media texts, such as current affairs programs, news articles and reviews. They explore and interpret different perspectives on complex issues and respond to these in written and oral form. They develop their skills in writing appropriately and effectively in a range of text types for a variety of audiences and purposes. They practice writing expressively about thoughts, feelings, opinions and ideas, and constructing considered arguments to persuade others to share a point of view. Students listen to and produce a range of spoken texts in a variety of formal and informal situations characterised by complexity of purpose, and subject matter.

Possible Assessment Tasks

The following learning activities will be used to indicate performance in relation to the Victorian Curriculum Standards. Students will:

• produce a range of written pieces for various purposes
• work independently and in groups
• plan, write and present a folio of different styles and formats
• read and respond, in written and oral form, to a variety of class texts
• through participation in the Wider Reading Program, students will read a selection of books independently at home and during reading periods

Career Options

Copywriter, Publisher, Author, Teacher, Media Presenter, Law Clerk, Librarian