Level 1 English
L1ENG Course DescriptionTeacher in Charge: Mrs D. Truter.
The Level 1 English course comprises a combination of four internal and external (assessed by exams) Achievement Standards, totalling 20 credits. The course will include the opportunity to gain the NCEA Literacy Co-requisite Unit Standards (10 credits) through the CAA (Common Assessment Activities) for those students who still need Level 1 Literacy. The English department aims to implement a personalised, self-directed, culturally responsive curriculum in which students will be given some agency in exploring visual, oral and written language; the selection of texts; and methods of demonstrating their learning; within the framework of the new NCEA Achievement Standards. Students will explore various aspects of English and develop critical literacy skills: reading a range of texts for a variety of purposes; writing in various genres; speaking and presenting in several contexts; and viewing or listening to texts to make and create meaning. This course will be a pre-requisite for English at Level 2.
Course Overview
Term 1
Students will work within teacher-selected themes throughout the year, and the course will incorporate strategies and approaches designed to strengthen the development of literacy skills with a strong emphasis on grammar, reading and writing. Students will develop critical thinking and learn to articulate an appreciation of the world around them. All teaching and learning will contribute to the understanding, interpreting, using and creating, of written, oral and visual texts. Term 1 will introduce a range of literacy skills and concentrate on the Literacy Co-requisite Unit Standards US 32403 and US 32405; as well as enabling students to develop ideas in writing using stylistic and written conventions (AS 91926).
Term 2
In Term 2, students will continue to develop their reading, writing and analytical skills. Critical thinking and textual analysis will incorporate the demonstration of students' understanding of how context shapes verbal language use and students will be assessed against AS 91924. Students will continue to develop ideas in writing using stylistic and written conventions and be assessed against AS 91926. Students still requiring Level 1 Literacy will attempt the Literacy Reading and Writing Common Assessment Activities (CAAs - US 32403 and US 32405).
Term 3
In Term 3, Students will refine their literacy skills and learn to demonstrate their understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts (AS91927). They will also learn to demonstrate their understanding of specific aspects of a studied text (AS 91925). Students will prepare actively for the external assessment of both AS 91925 and AS 91927. Students eligible for re-submission may be offered the opportunity to resubmit the earlier assessed internal Achievement Standards. Students who have not yet attained their Level 1 Literacy, will attempt the Literacy Reading and Writing Common Assessment Activities (CAAs - US 32403 and US 32405).
Term 4
Students will consolidate their learning and be offered re-submission of internally assessed Achievement Standards, if not already completed in Term 3. Students will be assessed against AS 91925 and AS 91927 in an external examination.
Assessment Policy & Procedures Pathway