Through the study of English in Stage 6 students continue to develop their capacity to understand and use the English language for a variety of purposes and in various textual forms.
Students engage with and explore a variety of texts that include widely acknowledged quality literature of past and contemporary societies. Through their responding and composing of both critical and creative texts, students develop an understanding of themselves and of diverse human experiences and cultures. The study of English in Stage 6 provides students with opportunities to experiment with ideas and expression, to become innovative, active, independent learners, to collaborate and to reflect on their learning.
English Extension 2
In the English Extension 2 Year 12 course, students develop a sustained composition, and document their reflection on this process.
In studying these courses, students will develop skills to work independently to experiment with language forms, features and structures and to engage with complex levels of conceptualisation.
English Extension 1
In the English Extension Year 11 course, students explore the ways in which aspects and concerns of texts from the past have been carried forward, borrowed from and/or appropriated into more recent culture. They consider how and why cultural values are maintained and changed.
In the English Extension 1 Year 12 course, students explore, investigate, experiment with and evaluate the ways texts represent and illuminate the complexity of individual and collective lives in literary worlds.
In studying these courses, students will develop skills to work independently to experiment with language forms, features and structures and to engage with complex levels of conceptualisation.
English Advanced
In the English Advanced Year 11 course, students explore, examine and analyse a range of texts which include prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, digital and media, as well as Australian texts. They explore the ways events, experiences, ideas, values and processes are represented in and through texts and analyse the ways texts reflect different attitudes and values.
In the English Advanced Year 12 course, students further strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by analysing and evaluating texts and the ways they are valued in their contexts. Students study at least four prescribed texts drawn from: Shakespearean drama; prose fiction; poetry or drama; film or media or nonfiction.
In this course, students develop their higher-order thinking skills to enhance their personal, social, educational, and vocational lives.
English Standard
In the English Standard Year 11 course, students learn about language and literature by exploring and experimenting with the ways events, experiences, ideas and processes are represented in and through texts. Students study a range of texts which include prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, digital and media, as well as Australian texts.
In the English Standard Year 12 course, students further strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by reflecting on and demonstrating the effectiveness of texts, including their own, for different audiences and purposes. Students study at least three types of prescribed texts drawn from: prose fiction; poetry or drama; film or media or nonfiction texts.
In this course, students will consolidate their English literacy skills in order to enhance their personal, social, educational and vocational lives.
English Studies
In the English Studies course, students explore the ideas, values, language forms, features and structures of texts in a range of personal, social, cultural and workplace contexts. They respond to and compose texts to extend experience and understanding, access information and assess its reliability, and synthesise the knowledge gained from a range of sources for a variety of purposes.
In this course, students will consolidate their English literacy skills to enhance their personal, social, educational and vocational lives.
Life Skills
The Stage 6 English Life Skills course aligns with the rationale, aim and objectives of the Stage 6 English curriculum. The Life Skills outcomes and content have been developed from the English Studies and English Standard syllabuses to provide opportunities for integrated delivery.
The Stage 6 English Life Skills course focuses on the development of effective communication and literacy skills that will enhance the participation of students in all aspects of post-school life.
The course emphasises the ability to communicate effectively in a range of contexts as well as access and respond to texts in different modes and media. Students are provided with opportunities to comprehend and interpret a variety of texts in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Students are also provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of the ways in which language forms and features shape meaning in texts. Students are encouraged to appreciate how our own and others’ experiences can be represented through texts.
Study in the Stage 6 English Life Skills course enables students to access information, engage in a range of recreational and leisure activities and undertake further education, training and employment.