English Language Arts (ELA) is more than reading and writing. ELA involves:
Grade 8 students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond to different oral, print and visual/media texts and to create their own texts. They will develop language, comprehension and communication skills by responding to oral, print and media texts/materials (e.g., stories, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, diagrams, media/films, websites) that have practical and everyday home, community and workplace applications. For more information about English Language Arts 8, refer to the Program of Studies.
The Senior High Language Arts programme extends the experiences and growth begun in Elementary and Junior High School in six strands of Language Arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, representing and viewing). Students engage in all six strands as they study texts and create their own texts in relevant situations for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Materials include short stories, media studies, poetry, novels, non–fiction and drama appropriate to the maturity and reading levels of this grade. Grade 9 students write the Provincial Achievement Test at the end of the course. For more information about English Language Arts 9, refer to the Program of Studies.
English 10-1 is designed for students who have demonstrated strength in their use of language and their understanding of print and non-print materials. The course focuses on an introduction to literary interpretation and criticism through various genres including Shakespeare, novels, short stories, drama, poetry, non-fiction, and media works. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to respond critically to course content and literature in particular. Computer skills are an important component. This course is embedded in our Humanities 10 programming. For more information about English Language Arts 10-1, refer to the Program of Studies.
Prerequisite: Recommended mark of 60% in ELA 10-1
ELA 20-1 is designed for the academic student and aims to build language skills in all areas of writing, speaking, listening, reading, viewing and presenting. Various types of literature are studied as the basis for interpretation, discussion and written responses. The materials at this level are more sophisticated and require perceptive reading, viewing and analysis. Assignments grow out of the materials studied and may include personal response essays, critical analysis, and visual and oral presentations. Computer skills remain a component as do media studies. For more information about English Language Arts 20-1, refer to the Program of Studies.
Prerequisite: Recommended mark of 60% in ELA 20-1
ELA 30-1 is designed for students seeking university entrance. The course surveys a variety of literary genres with emphasis on understanding themes and literary techniques. It focuses on developing written and oral communication skills, analytical writing, techniques of formal expository essays, and the development of personal style. Short stories, poetry, essays, novels, plays and visual texts will be studied as a basis for discussion and writing. It is assumed that each student registered already has acquired a proficiency in written English. For more information about English Language Arts 10-1, refer to the Program of Studies.