English Language

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: 4 ACADEMIC YEARS OF ENGLISH/ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The goal of the English Language Department is to develop communicative proficiency in English in students whose first language is something other than English. Since the English Language program embraces students with a wide variety of abilities and backgrounds, the program is structured to take students where they are along the continuum of competence and move them forward. Testing is done to determine the appropriate level placement for each student with the ultimate goal being to matriculate into the mainstream English classroom. The Department also seeks to strengthen and refine skill levels in all four modalities: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing, so that students are sufficiently prepared for entry into a U.S. college or university.

The English Language Department also supports its academic goals with a unique curriculum component called the “Experiential Learning Program.” In this program, students select from a variety of off-campus excursions and educational experiences that support the students’ cultural competence. These activities are created specifically to enhance the curriculum by encouraging guided risk-taking and giving students a hands-on experience with a variety of cultural activities. Each year, the program culminates in LEAP Week which offers the students a selection from a variety of five-day trips within the United States of America.

COURSE TITLE: ENGLISH I CORE

PREREQUISITES: English Language Proficiency Assessment DURATION: Full year

This year-long core course works on building the foundations of being able to communicate in the English language. All instruction will be given in English and will focus on strengthening the major skill areas of speaking, writing, and listening and reading comprehension. Through the study of basic grammatical structures, students will learn how the different parts of speech work together to create sentences. In addition to the core English I course, students will be enrolled in two additional courses: one culture course and one

CULTURE COURSE

COURSE TITLE: US GEOGRAPHY REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English I DURATION: Full year

This course will look at the United States as it currently exists. Students will study the geography, weather patterns, and cultural pockets that have helped shape the identity of the US as a country. Students will also follow the major current events as they are happening. Through various online and in-print news sources, students will be able to track these big stories and examine them from different viewpoints and different reporting styles. Through this course, students will begin developing critical thinking skills, learn how to compare and contrast information from different sources, and continue to develop strong listening and reading comprehension skills through the variety of activities completed in each class.

LITERATURE COURSE

COURSE TITLE: FANTASY LITERATURE REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English I DURATION: Full year

This course will look at folk tales, fairy tales, and tall tales around the world. Students will not only read stories from all different cultures; they will also spend some time learning about each of the cultures to better understand the origin of the story and how or why it was created. This course will focus on building reading and listening comprehension, as well as work to develop stronger writing skills. Each unit will culminate in a small-scale project that allows students to highlight their understanding and show progression in applying the skills taught. By the end of the course, students will be able to put their skills to the test in creating their own fantasy story based on one of the topics and cultures covered throughout the year.

COURSE TITLE: ENGLISH II CORE

PREREQUISITE: English I or outcome of placement assessment DURATION: Full year development of communication skills in English with an emphasis on raising the student’s current levels of speaking and writing. Students will strengthen their ability to understand basic sentence structure and how sentences work together to create cohesive paragraphs. Students will be introduced to the basic essay format and be introduced to more advanced grammatical structures, while also learning to incorporate these into their writing. In addition to the core English II course, students will select one additional literature elective from the list below.

LITERATURE ELECTIVES: CHOOSE ONE

COURSE TITLE: GRAPHIC NOVELS REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English II DURATION: Full year

Throughout time, humans have used pictures to tell stories. From cave drawings to the Marvel Universe, depicting epics and adventures through art has been a treasured way of documenting history. In this course, students will read a variety of graphic novels and comic books to better understand how visual arts and literature work together to test the imagination of the readers. Through the lens of literary devices, students will engage with reading and writing in a whole new way. At the conclusion of the course, students will have the opportunity to create their own stories, working with a variety of mediums to put their words into images.

COURSE TITLE: MYTH & LEGENDS REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English II DURATION: Full year

This course will build on the Fantasy Literature course and examine the myths and legends integral to both cultures and histories around the world. Students will explore the Greek and Roman pantheon, Egyptian gods and goddesses, and Norse mythology, among others, and will examine the sociological process by which stories have become integral to our cultures. The course will enable students to examine the ways in which the myths and legends of their own home countries have shaped their values and their worldviews.

COURSE TITLE: ENGLISH III CORE

PREREQUISITE: English II or outcome of placement assessment DURATION: Full year

This year-long course focuses on using English at an advanced level. Students will focus on mastering advanced grammatical structures as well as building a longer, more developed academic essay. The use of technology to enhance research skills will also be taught to promote academic success and prepare students for higher-level English courses. In addition to the core English III course, students will select one additional literature elective from the list below.

LITERATURE ELECTIVES: CHOOSE ONE

COURSE TITLE: ACTING & FILM STUDIES REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English III DURATION: Full year

This course will introduce students to a variety of film and dramatic genres. Students will look at both the theory and performance of a variety of literary works for the stage and screen. The course will help them better understand the process of acting on stage and in film through a variety of exercises, activities, and smallscale performances. The course will culminate in the students writing, directing, performing, and filming their own play at the end of the year.

COURSE TITLE: YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE REQUIREMENT: Current Enrollment in English III DURATION: Full year

In this course, students will choose from a list of Young Adult (YA) literature to read on their own. Through individualized reading plans, students will be able to use those books to build vocabulary and comprehension at their own pace and lexile level. Students will explore the genre of YA fiction and build a greater understanding of the literary devices used to create common themes within the style. Finally, students will outline their own young adult novel that could serve as a strong example of the genre.