English Teacher

HUMANITIES (ENGLISH LANGUAGE) Year 1 Credit

English will be integrated into the Humanities course. There is an emphasis on reading non-fiction and writing skills. Students will also learn about poetry, Shakespeare (Julius Caesar), and the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Students will read and write in a range of genres. The Humanities course integrates content from the Bible course Foundations of the Faith and the Social Studies course 20th Century World History.

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE (ENGLISH II) Year 1 Credit

Prerequisite: both semesters of Humanities

English II offers a survey of various genres of literature and writing styles. Students will study Shakespearean and modern drama, poetry, nonfiction, short fiction, and the novel. Students will be expected to analyze and respond to literature, give oral presentations, and write various types of papers and essays.

WESTERN LITERATURE (ENGLISH III) Year 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English II 

Welcome to English 3 where you will follow the development of both British and American literature through the centuries, explore a menagerie of authors and genres, and achieve a deeper understanding of literary techniques. Students will respond to literature through creativity and writing, critical analysis, research, and multimedia presentations, noting how literature enhances the study of life.

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION Year 1 Credit 

Open to grades 11 and 12 with department approval

This course prepares students to take the AP exam in Language and Composition. It focuses both on developing college level analytical and writing skills and developing the students as writers. The students will read and analyze essays, books, and material from previous AP Exams, writing essays appropriate to the genre of the piece. Students will also learn how to formulate and present valid written arguments. Taking the College Board exam in May is mandatory.

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE Year 1 Credit

Open to grades 11 and 12 with department approval

This course prepares students to take the AP exam in English Literature and Composition. It is designed to encourage literary merit and develop literary analysis skills through diverse reading and discussion of various genres as well as intensive practice in the writing process. Value judgments about the actions and philosophies of literary characters and authors, identification of outstanding writers, their works, and the major themes they express are an integral part of the study. Students are expected to take the College Board exam in May.

AP SEMINAR Year 1 Credit

Open to students in grades 11 and 12 with department approval

First year of the 2-year AP Capstone course; students who enroll in AP Seminar are expected to enroll in AP Research.

In the first year, you’ll develop and strengthen your analytic and inquiry skills, exploring deeply topics and issues chosen by you and/or your teacher. You’ll learn to consider an issue from multiple perspectives, evaluate the strength of an argument, and make logical, fact-based decisions. For example, you might explore the question of whether national security is more important than a citizen’s right to privacy or whether genetic engineering is beneficial to society. During the course, you’ll complete a team project, an individual paper and presentation, and take a written end-of-course exam. Your AP Seminar Exam score will be based on all three assessments. 

WORLD LITERATURE A Semester ½ Credit 

Open to grade 12

World Literature A provides students with a knowledge of non-western literature by introducing them to literary movements and world authors. Centering on the theme of ‘Forgiveness and Reconciliation’, the course opens with a critical analysis of a chapter from No Future Without Forgiveness. The class will do book studies on The Hiding Place 以及 Blood Brothers, and students can choose an in-depth individual study of either Silence (Japan), Cry, The Beloved Country (South Africa), or Noli me Tangere (Philippines).

WORLD LITERATURE B Semester ½ Credit 

Open to grade 12 

World Literature B provides students with a knowledge of non-western literature by introducing them to literary movements and world authors. This course centers on the theme of ‘The Danger of a Single Story’ and opens with a critical analysis of a chapter from Good News About Injustice. The class will do book studies on A Doll’s House 以及 Half the Sky, and students can choose an in-depth individual study of either Purple Hibiscus (Nigeria) or The Last Time I Saw Mother (Philippines).

The following are Language Arts options that will fulfill graduation requirements. Students may choose to take these classes, but not in place of the core English courses.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Semester ½ Credit 

Open to grades 11 and 12

This course enables students to communicate more effectively in both formal and informal situations, gain self confidence and poise when speaking in a group, give a variety of speeches, develop good listening and observation skills, as well as develop self-understanding through individual and group activities. Critiquing various speeches is practiced. Public Speaking can be taken as an optional elective in grade 10 or 11 or it can fulfill one semester of English in grade 12.

CREATIVE WRITING Semester ½ Credit 

Prerequisite: English II or IGCSE English Literature

This course develops the students writing skills in areas of voice, style, structure, and word choice and writing habits of observation, notebook work, editing, and rewriting.  Manuscripts are prepared to publication standards.  Creative Writing can be taken as an optional elective in grade 11 or can fulfill