Course information
Essential English (A) is designed to develop students’ literacy skills and for those who wish to undertake a practical English course. Students examine the purpose and language of a range of texts, expanding their ability to understand, evaluate and communicate effectively in and for a range of contexts. Essential English develops and refines students’ language, literature and literacy skills which enable them to interact confidently and effectively with others in everyday, community, social and applied learning contexts.
Post-school pathways
Do you enjoy or are you good at English? (pdf, 110kb)
Workload expectation
The bulk of classwork and assignments will be done in-class with appropriate out of class time dedicated to the completion of assignments.
Course pattern
Available as a Minor or Major.
Suggested Minor course
Semester | Unit |
|---|---|
1 | Unit 1: Comprehending and Responding A |
2 | Unit 2: Making Connections A |
Suggested Major course
Semester | Unit |
|---|---|
1 | Unit 1: Comprehending and Responding A |
2 | Unit 2: Making Connections A |
3 | Unit 3: Understanding Perspectives A |
4 | Unit 4: Local and Global A |
Unit descriptions
Unit 1: Comprehending and Responding A – ‘Short Stories, Suspense and Reading for Enjoyment’
Unit 1 focuses on students comprehending and responding to the ideas and information presented in texts drawn from a range of contexts. They will be guided by the thematic construct ‘Short Stories, Suspense and Reading for Enjoyment’. Students learn to interact with others in everyday and other contexts. Emphasis is placed on the communication of ideas and information both accurately and imaginatively through a range of modes.
Unit 2: Making Connections A – ‘Images of Australia, Sport and War’
Unit 2 focuses on interpreting ideas and arguments in a range of texts and contexts. By analysing text structures and language features and identifying the ideas, arguments and values expressed, students make inferences about the purposes and the intended audiences of texts. Students will be guided by the thematic construct ‘Images of Australia, Sport and War’. Students will explore what it means to be an Australian, how sport is a part of the Australian way of life and how war has shaped the very history, identity and culture of this nation.
Unit 3: Understanding Perspectives A – ‘Children’s Literature, Science Fiction and Fantasy’
Unit 3 focuses on exploring different points of view presented in a range of texts and contexts. Students analyse attitudes, text structures and language features to understand a text’s meaning and purpose. Students will be guided by the thematic constructs of science fiction and fantasy and will learn to articulate reasoned and persuasive arguments and to develop an understanding of purpose and context.
Unit 4: Local and Global A – ‘Our world here and now’
Unit 4 focuses on community, local or global issues and ideas presented in texts and on developing students’ reasoned responses to them. This unit provides the opportunity for students to discuss and listen to differing perspectives, draw conclusions, negotiate, problem-solve, persuade, as well as engage audiences for a range of purposes and in different contexts.