ENGLISH 

Each English course consists of six sub-skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing design in a critical thinking framework. By completion of high school, students should have acquired the skills required for post-secondary options. Each English course requires habitual reading outside of class, the patience for revision and accuracy, open-mindedness, and willingness to participate. The goals of English are to develop a proficiency in communication and a lifetime appreciation for language and texts in multiple modes and media. 

English Language Arts courses in BC are undergoing transition into the New Curriculum. Underpinning every course are the “Big Ideas” that text and story deepen our understanding of complex ideas, our identity, and our world; that people understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives; that texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed; and that language shapes ideas and influences us. While literary studies and written composition* will still form the foundation of English courses at Lord Byng, key changes compared to the previous Curriculum may include a greater emphasis on oral language, Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, varieties of media, and expanded definitions of “text.”   

* Note: English First Peoples courses will focus not on literary studies and written composition but rather on new media and spoken language. This new focus reflects the modules offered by the New Curriculum. English First Peoples may be taken instead of OR in conjunction with the regular English course in Grade 10, 11, or 12.  (Exception: For Byng Arts students, in order to maintain the cohort model, English First Peoples is available only as an additional elective rather than as a replacement for English Byng Arts or Enriched.)

 

Grades: 8                                                                                               

Prerequisite: Grade 7 

Students study fiction, poetry, mythology, and drama, the objective being an introduction to literary and oral storytelling genres. Writing activities in this course focus on the paragraph but also branch into multi-paragraph writing. Language editing, grammar, and vocabulary activities are taught using a variety of methods. Students complete projects that develop group work and oral presentation skills. 

Grades: 8                                                                                               

Prerequisite: Successful audition for Byng Arts and above average academic standing

Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses 

Byng Arts English follows the regular English core curriculum (see English 8 for details); however, we strive to provide enrichment by integrating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum at each grade level and offering opportunities for field trips and/or visiting speakers. The Byng Arts program offers some acceleration; students begin in-depth literary analysis at an earlier stage than those in the regular program. 

Grades: 9

Prerequisite: English 8 

Students study a variety of literary and oral storytelling genres, including fiction, poetry, and drama. Literary analysis becomes more formalized than in English 8, and analytical terminology is used more frequently to discuss reading selections. Students continue developing multi-paragraph writing, with an emphasis on the formal expository essay for literary analysis. Language development includes grammar, vocabulary, and editing activities. Formal and informal presentations are assigned to provide students with an opportunity to develop oral expression and group work skills. 

Grades: 9                                                                                               

Prerequisite: Byng Arts English 8, or successful audition and above average academic standing

Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses 

Byng Arts English follows the regular English core curriculum (see English 9 for details); however, we strive to provide enrichment by integrating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum at each grade level and offering opportunities for field trips and/or visiting speakers. The Byng Arts program offers some acceleration; students begin in-depth literary analysis at an earlier stage than those in the regular program. 

Grades: 9. This course is open to qualifying students in both the main school and the Byng Arts program.  

Prerequisite: English 8 and teacher recommendation

Portfolio: Whether intending to be in Byng Arts or not, all students applying to this course from outside Lord Byng must submit a portfolio of English 8 writing that includes 2 marked pieces of creative writing and 2 marked pieces of analytical writing (at least 1 of which must be an in-class composition). The writing pieces must be signed and verified by the English 8 teacher. Portfolios are due to the English Department Head by March 15^th of the applicant’s Grade 8 year. Failure to submit portfolios by this date may prevent entry into the course.

Audition: If students are applying to Byng Arts and plan to do a Literary Arts focus, they must also do the writing audition as part of the Byng Arts admission process.

Corequisite: Byng Arts students must also take the Byng Arts complement of courses. 

Students must have prior approval to sign up for this course.  English 9 Enriched has the same core curriculum as the regular English 9 course (see English 9 for details); however, we provide enrichment and some acceleration for a more rigorous and challenging experience. Enrichment may include reading some higher-level texts, inquiring more deeply in literary analysis, and producing more complex projects and presentations. There will also be plenty of opportunities for creative writing and spoken word, and students are encouraged to explore the connections between literary arts and other creative forms of expression. Admission to English 9 Enriched does not guarantee placement into English 10 Enriched.

 

Grades: 10

Prerequisite: English 9 

This course offers two of the modules in the New English Curriculum at the Grade 10 level: “Composition” and “Focused Literary Studies.” Students study a variety of literary genres, including fiction, poetry, and drama. Literary analysis techniques and stylistic terminology provide students with the tools for a more systematic study of literature than in English 9. Students continue to explore a variety of writing styles, with an emphasis on strengthening their argumentation skills and expository essay structure. Language activities continue to help students develop stronger control of grammar, vocabulary, and editing skills. Students also have opportunities to engage in discussion, group activities, and formal class presentations in order to develop their speaking and listening skills. 

Grades: 10                                                                                            

Prerequisite: Byng Arts English 9, or successful audition and above average academic standing

Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses 

Byng Arts English follows the regular English core curriculum (see English 10 for details); however, we strive to provide enrichment by integrating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum at each grade level and offering opportunities for field trips and/or visiting speakers. The Byng Arts program offers some acceleration; students begin in-depth literary analysis at an earlier stage than those in the regular program.

 

Grades: 10. This course is open to qualifying students in both the main school and the Byng Arts program.

Prerequisite: English 9 and teacher recommendation

Portfolio: Whether intending to be in Byng Arts or not, all students applying to this course from outside Lord Byng must submit a portfolio of English 9 writing that includes 2 marked pieces of creative writing and 2 marked pieces of in-class analytical writing. The writing pieces must be signed and verified by the English 9 teacher. Portfolios are due to the English Department Head by March 15^th of the applicant’s Grade 9 year. Failure to submit portfolios by this date may prevent entry into the course.

Audition: If students are applying to Byng Arts and plan to do a Literary Arts focus, they must also do the writing audition as part of the Byng Arts admission process.

Corequisite: Byng Arts students must also take the Byng Arts complement of courses. 

Students must have prior approval to sign up for this course.  English 10 Enriched has the same core curriculum as the regular English 10 course (see English 10 for details); however, we provide enrichment and some acceleration for a more rigorous and challenging experience. Enrichment may include reading some higher-level texts, inquiring more deeply in literary analysis, and producing more complex projects and presentations.  There will also be opportunities for creative writing, and students are encouraged to explore the connections between literary arts and other creative forms of expression. Admission to English 10 Enriched does not guarantee placement into English 11 Enriched.

 

Grades: 10                                                                                            

Prerequisite: English 9 

Grades: 11                                                                                            

Prerequisite: English 10 

The literary essay and other analytical writing will be a major focus of the course. As well, students will be given tools to strengthen their reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills in order to consolidate them for English 12. Students are also offered many opportunities to promote creativity, explore procedures for analysis and argumentation, and improve language skills. Activities may include formal presentations to further develop group work and public speaking skills. 

Grades: 11                                                                                            

Prerequisite: Byng Arts English 10, or successful audition and above average academic standing

Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses 

Byng Arts English follows the regular English core curriculum (see English 11 for details); however, we strive to provide enrichment by integrating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum at each grade level and offering opportunities for field trips and/or visiting speakers. The Byng Arts program offers some acceleration; students begin in-depth literary analysis at an earlier stage than those in the regular program.

 

Grades: 11. This course is open to qualifying students in both the main school and the Byng Arts program.

Prerequisite: English 10 and teacher recommendation.

Portfolio: Whether intending to be in Byng Arts or not, all students applying to this course from outside Lord Byng must submit a portfolio of English 10 academic writing that includes 2 marked in-class essays of literary analysis, 2 other pieces of writing, and a letter of reference from the English 10 teacher. The writing pieces must be signed and verified by the English 10 teacher. The portfolio is due to the English Department Head by March 15^th of the applicant’s Grade 10 year. Failure to submit portfolios by this date may prevent entry into the course.

Audition: If students are applying to Byng Arts and plan to do a Literary Arts focus, they must also do the writing audition as part of the Byng Arts admission process.

Summer Assignment: Oedipus Rex. Students are responsible for their own copy of the text; library editions are fine.  Sophocles: The Theban Plays from Penguin Classics is preferred.

 

English 11 Enriched provides talented and highly motivated Grade 11 students with a more advanced English course alternative that maintains the English 11 curriculum at its core. Some areas of focus include the literary essay, critical and comparative literary analysis, and seminar style discussion. English 11 Enriched is designed to ease the transition into rigorous academic courses such as English 12 AP and Literature 12; many of the works studied cover background specific to these courses. Admission to English 11 Enriched does not guarantee placement into English 12 Enriched (AP).

Grades: 11                                                                                            

Prerequisite: English 10 or English First Peoples 10 

Grades: 12                                                                                            

Prerequisite: English 11

Provincial Exam (Required): 40% of Final Course Mark 

English 12 is required for entrance to most universities. English 12 consolidates and reinforces the skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking as learned in English 8 to 11. Students review a range of writing styles and structures, with a heavy emphasis on critical literary analysis essays for a variety of genres; the synthesis essay in particular is an opportunity to further develop organization and argumentation of complex ideas. Oral presentations and/or other projects are included to help strengthen group work and public speaking skills. Students also review literary terminology and language editing skills. All English 12 students must write the Provincial Exam, worth 40% of the Final Course Mark. 

Grades: 12                                                                                            

Prerequisite: Byng Arts English 11, or successful audition and above average academic standing

Provincial Exam (Required): 40% of Final Course Mark 

Byng Arts English follows the regular English core curriculum (see English 12 for details); however, we strive to provide enrichment by integrating the visual and performing arts into the curriculum at each grade level and offering opportunities for field trips and/or visiting speakers. The Byng Arts program offers some acceleration; students begin in-depth literary analysis at an earlier stage than those in the regular program. 

Grades: 12. This course is open to qualifying students in both the main school and the Byng Arts program.

Prerequisite: English 11 and teacher recommendation; summer assignment completion.

Portfolio: Whether intending to be in Byng Arts or not, all students applying to this course from outside Lord Byng must submit a portfolio of English 11 academic writing that includes 2 marked in-class essays of literary analysis, 2 other pieces of analytical writing, and a letter of reference from the English 11 teacher. The writing pieces must be signed and verified by the English 11 teacher. The portfolio is due to the English Department Head by March 15^th of the applicant’s Grade 11 year. Failure to submit portfolios by this date may prevent entry into the course.

Audition: If students are applying to Byng Arts and plan to do a Literary Arts focus, they must also do the writing audition as part of the Byng Arts admission process. It is rare but still possible to enter Byng Arts in one’s Grade 12 year.

Provincial Exam (Required): 40% of Final Course Mark

AP Exam (Optional – students may choose to write the AP exam in May for additional credit) 

This course is taught by an AP certified teacher and is the culminating course in the Literary Arts / Enriched English stream. Students enrolled in English 12 Enriched receive credit for the regular English 12 course. If students receive a score of 3 or higher on the AP English exam (literature), they will be given 4 credits of “External Credit.” This course offers students curriculum that is more enriched and challenging than the regular English 12 course, with specific emphasis placed on post-secondary level analytical reading and writing. Students who achieve a high standard on the Advanced Placement exam as set by the College Testing Board may be granted advanced credit at a North American college or university. Students will be introduced to a wide range of world literature, contemporary works, as well as mainstays of the Western canon. 

Grades: 12                                                                                            

Prerequisite: English 11 or English First Peoples 11

Provincial Exam (Required): 40% of Final Course Mark 

Grades: 11, 12

Prerequisite: English 10 or 11. Creative Writing 12 is an elective open to ALL students in Grade 11 or 12.

Registration note: If course subscription exceeds space available, priority will be given to students in Grade 12 and to Grade 11 students who are fulfilling requirements for the Literary Arts stream of Byng Arts. 

Creative Writing 12 is designed for students who have an interest and a flair for writing. The course fosters written expression in a range of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. The course is primarily intended to encourage students to experiment with language and create original work, although some analysis of literature is required.

Because a workshop model is employed, students must be independent, self-motivated, and serious about their writing.

Grades: 11, 12

Prerequisite: English 10 or 11. Literature 12 is an elective open to ALL students in Grade 11 & 12.

Registration note: If course subscription exceeds space available, priority will then be given to students in Grade 12 and to Grade 11 students who are fulfilling requirements for the Literary Arts stream of Byng Arts.

Assessment: Class discussion, presentations, essays, creative projects, and short tests. No major exams.

Note: Literature 12 is strongly recommended for students who intend to write the English Advanced Placement exam; the skills and content covered in Literature 12 complement English 12 Enriched and will be very helpful as preparation for the AP exam. However, students do not need to be at the AP-level in order to be successful in this course. Literature 12 provides opportunities for all students to do well. 

Literature 12 surveys some of the great classics in English (primarily British) literature. We will proceed chronologically through literary periods: Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Renaissance, 17th & 18th Centuries, Romantic, Victorian, and 20th Century. We will study works in their historical and cultural contexts. Through style analysis and close reading, we'll also explore the artistry and rhetoric of the language in each text. This course will be valuable for students who wish to proceed to higher-level literary studies, but it’s also a course for those who just love to read and discuss poetry and other literary forms.

 

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