The English Department at Langley Secondary School is passionate about Language and Literature. We want our students to be as passionate as we are.
We believe that reading is fundamental for students to be able to excel in English as it opens their minds and imagination as well as helping to develop their vocabulary and grasp of grammar.
Our approach to the teaching of English Literature and Language is an integrated one. Our aim is to develop the skills of our learners so that they become great communicators whilst also developing an appreciation of the writing of others.
Literature allows us to introduce students to a range of social, political and cultural issues. Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts across each of the key stages as they develop their analytical skills.
Through the exploration of the writing of others, we promote the importance of being able to have a voice of your own. Both oral and written communication is valued highly and students are taught these distinct skills.
As a department we strive to provide students with opportunities to connect, express and utilize their passions in their assignments. Through inquiry and project based learning, students will gain experience with essential questions, while deepening their creative and critical thinking skills as they develop their abilities to make valuable self, text and world connections.
Graduation Literacy Assessment Information:
Grade 10: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/assessment/literacy-assessment/grade-10-literacy-assessment
Grade 12: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/assessment/literacy-assessment/grade-12-literacy-assessment
Courses and Strands Offered:
English 9
Composition
Composition 10 is designed to support students in their development of written communication through a critical process of questioning, exploring, and sampling. Within a supportive community of writers, students will work individually and collaboratively to explore and create coherent, purposeful compositions. Students will read and study compositions by other writers and consider a variety of styles as models for the development of their writing. The course builds students’ writing competencies by introducing them to varied structures, forms, and styles of compositions. Students have opportunities to individually and collaboratively study, create, and write original pieces, exploring audience and purpose. They also develop their craft through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising.
Composition 11 is designed to support students as they refine, clarify, and adjust their written communication through practice and revision. Students will read and study compositions by other writers and be exposed to a variety of styles as models for the development of their writing. The course provides opportunities for students to, with increasing independence, study, create, and write original and authentic pieces for a range of purposes and real-world audiences. They will expand their competencies through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising to build a body of work that demonstrates expanding breadth, depth, and evidence of writing for a range of situations. They will develop confidence in their abilities as they consolidate their writing craft.
Composition 12 is designed to support students in their refinement and pursuit of mastery of written communication. Students will read and study exemplary compositions by other writers and be exposed to a variety of styles as models for the development of their writing. The course provides opportunities for students, with increasing independence and self-sufficiency, to study, create, and write original and authentic pieces for a range of purposes and audiences using real-world applications with impact and effectiveness. They will develop their craft through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising to build a body of publishable work that demonstrates breadth, depth, and evidence of sophisticated and specialized writing for a range of situations.
Creative Writing
Creative Writing 10 is designed for students who have an interest in creative expression through language. The course provides students opportunities to build their writing skills through the exploration of identity, memory, and story in a range of genres. Within a supportive community of writers, students will collaborate and develop their skills through writing and design processes. This course is intentionally grounded in the sampling of writing processes, inviting students to express themselves creatively as they experiment with, reflect on, and practice their writing.
Creative Writing 11 is designed for students who are interested in developing confidence and refining their writing skills through self-expression for various creative purposes. The course provides students with in-depth opportunities to explore personal and cultural identities, memories, and stories in a wide range of genres. Within a supportive community, students will collaborate and strengthen their skills through writing and design processes. Creative Writing 11 is grounded in the exploration and application of writing processes, inviting students to express themselves creatively as they reflect on, adjust, and extend their writing skills.
Creative Writing 12 is designed for students who are interested in creating a body of work reflective of a sophisticated breadth and depth of skill. The course provides students with opportunities to specialize and publish in real-world contexts. Students engage in the exploration of personal and cultural identities, memories, and stories, in a wide range of genres. Within a supportive community, students will collaborate and develop their skills through writing and design processes, celebrating successes. Students will refine their ability to write in complex, controlled styles with effectiveness and impact.
Literary Studies
Literary Studies 10 is designed for students who are interested in the literature of a particular era, geographical area, or theme, or in the study of literature in general. The course allows students to delve more deeply into literature as they explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works in a variety of media.
Literary Studies 11 allows students to delve deeply into literature. Students can explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works (fiction and non-fiction) in a variety of media.
Literary Studies 12 allows students to delve more deeply into literature through increasingly complex texts. Students can explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works (fiction and non-fiction) in a variety of media.
New Media
New Media 10 is a program of studies designed to reflect the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. This course is intended to allow students and educators the flexibility to develop a program of study centered on students’ interests, needs, and abilities, while at the same time allowing for a range of local delivery methods. New Media 10 recognizes that digital literacy is an essential characteristic of the educated citizen. Coursework is aimed at providing students with a set of skills vital for success in an increasingly complex digital world by affording opportunities to demonstrate understanding and communicate ideas through a variety of digital and print media. New Media 10 explores tasks and texts designed to introduce students to the study of new media.
New Media 11 is a program of studies designed to reflect the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. This course is intended to allow students and educators the flexibility to develop an intensive program of study centered on students’ interests, needs, and abilities, while at the same time allowing for a range of local delivery methods. New Media 11 recognizes that digital literacy is an essential characteristic of the educated citizen. Coursework is aimed at providing students with a set of skills vital for success in an increasingly complex digital world by affording numerous opportunities to demonstrate understanding and communicate increasingly sophisticated ideas through a wide variety of digital and print media. Compared with New Media 10, New Media 11 features tasks and texts of greater complexity and sophistication. As well, the Grade 11 course extends the depth and breadth of topics and activities offered in New Media 10.
New Media 12 is a program of studies designed to reflect the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. This course is intended to allow students and educators the flexibility to develop an intensive program of study centered on students’ interests, needs, and abilities, while at the same time allowing for a range of local delivery methods. New Media 12 recognizes that digital literacy is an essential characteristic of the educated citizen. Coursework is aimed at providing students with a set of skills vital for success in an increasingly complex digital world by affording numerous opportunities to demonstrate understanding and communicate increasingly sophisticated ideas through a wide variety of digital and print media. Compared with New Media 11, New Media 12 features tasks and texts of greater complexity and sophistication. As well, the Grade 12 course extends the depth and breadth of topics and activities offered in New Media 11.
Spoken Language
Spoken Language 10 is designed to support students in their development of spoken communication through processes of questioning, exploring, and sampling. The course builds students’ spoken language competencies by introducing them to varied structures, forms, and styles of oral compositions and by providing opportunities for students to individually and collaboratively study, draft, and use language to create original pieces in a variety of modes. This area of choice will also provide students with opportunities for performance, storytelling, and public speaking.
Spoken Language 11 is designed to support students as they refine, clarify, and adjust their spoken communication through practice and revision. The course provides opportunities for students to, with increasing independence, study, create, write, and present original and authentic pieces for a range of purposes and real-world audiences. They will expand their competencies through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising to build a body of work that demonstrates expanding breadth, depth, and evidence of spoken language genres for a range of situations. They will develop confidence in their abilities as they consolidate their spoken language skills.
Spoken Language 12 is designed to support students in the refinement of spoken language forms. The course provides opportunities for students, with increasing independence and self-sufficiency, to study, create, write, and present original and authentic pieces for a range of purposes and audiences using real-world applications with impact and effectiveness. They will develop their craft through processes of drafting, reflecting, revising, and practicing to build a body of publishable and/or performance-based work that demonstrates breadth, depth, and evidence of sophisticated and specialized spoken language pieces for a range of situations.