English

The purpose of the English Program is for all students to develop their Reading, Writing and Listening and Speaking skills for a variety of purposes and audiences.

The courses from Year 7 to 12 are designed sequentially to enable all students to develop their critical understanding and control of the English language and use it in a wide variety of contexts and modes, such as personal, creative, informative and persuasive.

Students are then expected to apply this knowledge through effective use of a variety of written forms. Students are taught to become proactive readers with an understanding that meaning is determined by context, the writer's apparent purpose, textual features and the audience's own views and values.

A major focus is the development of creative and critical responses to both literary and non-literary texts, including media texts. Our booklists from Year 7 to Year 12, which includes: autobiography, short stories, plays, novels, films (contemporary and historical), are designed to expose our students to the riches Literature has to offer on a personal and community level.

Similarly, the development of listening and speaking skills are also important. Students are offered learning experiences that encourage them to interact positively, critically and confidently with oral language in a variety of contexts and settings.

The achievement of competence and confidence in writing for different purposes and audiences in a variety of forms is emphasised throughout our courses. English is compulsory from levels 7 to 12. In Units 1 and 2 students can undertake English, Foundation English, Literature or ESL. In Units 3 and 4, students may undertake ESL, English and or Literature. At Years 8 to 10 we provide core English semester length units. There are also semester length units for ESL students and for students requiring additional Literacy Enhancement. We also offer Year 8 and 9, selected entry, Advanced English, where students have the opportunity to be fast tracked into VCE Literature.

For Year 9 we also offer the selected entry, semester unit:' Towards Literature'.  

Teamwork is a critical factor in English Teaching at Brentwood. Teachers work in teams from Year 7 to 12. Teachers take on leadership roles for particular year levels and professional development for teachers becomes part of their responsibilities. Cross marking, the sharing of resources and ideas and a genuine commitment by staff to help students attain excellence is what makes for a dynamic and effective English Faculty.