English 12 Enriched (AP Preparation)
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: English 11 and teacher recommendation, summer assignment completion
Provincial Exam (Required – students must write English 12 Provincial): 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 EN12 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 EN12 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.
Creative Writing 12 (MWR--12)
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: English 11; may be taken concurrently with English 11 by permission (portfolio required)
Creative Writing 12 is designed for students who have an interest and a flair for writing. The course encourages and fosters written expression in 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, well motivated and serious about their writing. Textbook: Literacy Experiences, Volume II.
Grades: 8
Prerequisite: Grade 7
Supplemental Supplies: Workbook, and/or theatre fees may be required
Students study fiction, poetry, mythology, drama and often a Shakespeare selection, the objective being an introduction to genre. Writing activities in this course focus on the paragraph but also consider multi-paragraph writing. Language development, grammar and vocabulary activities are taught using a variety of methods. Students complete projects that extend the opportunity to develop group work and oral presentation.
English 8: Byng Arts (MEN—08DC1)
Grades: 8
Prerequisite: Successful audition, above average academic standing
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
Grades: 9
Prerequisite: English 8
Students study a variety of literary genres, explore mythology and drama and usually study in a Shakespeare selection. Literary analysis becomes more formalized, and analytical terminology is used more frequently to discuss reading selections. Students continue developing multi-paragraph writing. Formal and informal presentations are assigned to provide students with an opportunity to develop oral expression and group work skills.
English 9: Byng Arts (MEN—09DC1)
Grades: 9
Prerequisite: Byng Arts 8, or successful audition and above average academic standing
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
English 9: Literary Arts (MEN—09SC1)
Grades: 9
Prerequisite: Approval of the Literary Arts department
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
Grades: 10
Prerequisite: English 9
Provincial exam: 20% of final
Students study a variety of literary genres: the short story, the novel, non-fiction prose, drama and a Shakespeare selection. Literary analysis techniques are introduced to provide students with the tools for more systematic literature study. The Five Paragraph Expository Essay is introduced and used as a vehicle for writing. Language study focuses on standard usage, structure, grammar and word choice. As well, students are provided opportunities to engage in discussion, group activities and formal class presentations in order to develop their speaking and listening skills.
English 10: Byng Arts (MEN—10DC1)
Grades: 10
Prerequisite: Byng Arts 9, or successful audition and above average academic standing
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
Provincial exam: 20% of final
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
English 10: Literary Arts (MEN—10SC1)
Grades: 10
Prerequisite: Approval of the Literary Arts department
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
Provincial exam: 20% of final
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
Grades: 11
Prerequisite: English 10
The literary essay is a major focus of the course. As well, students have an opportunity to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in order to consolidate them for English 12. Students are also offered many opportunities to develop creativity, explore analytical procedures and improve language skills. Students learn to extend their listening, speaking and group skills by presenting formal projects to the class.
English 11: Byng Arts (MEN—11DC1)
Grades: 11
Prerequisite: Byng Arts 10, or successful audition and above average academic standing
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
English 11: Enriched (MEN--11ENR)
Grades: 11
Prerequisite: English 10 and must be recommended by their English 10 teacher. Students applying from outside the school require a portfolio of academic writing.
Portfolio: 2 marked in-class essays of literary analysis, 2 other pieces of writing, and a letter of reference from most recent English teacher. Portfolios are due to the English Department Head by May 1st of the applicant's Grade 10 year. Failure to submit portfolios by this date may prevent entry into the course.
Summer Assignment: Oedipus Rex. Students are responsible for their own copy of the text; library editions are fine. Penguin Classics' Sophocles: The Theban Plays 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 academic electives 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 AP.
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: English 11
Provincial exam (Required): 40% of final
English 12 is required for entrance to most universities. In English 12, the skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking as learned in English 8 to 11 are reinforced. Students are provided opportunities to make brief and extended oral presentations, further development of essay writing and critical analyses of a variety of literary genres. Language development, grammar and vocabulary are taught in preparation for the provincial exam.
English 12: Byng Arts (MEN—12DC1)
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: Byng Arts 11, or successful audition and above average academic standing
Corequisite: Byng Arts complement of courses
Provincial exam (Required)
See the Byng Arts department for the full description.
English 10/11/12: First Peoples
(MEFP-10/MEFP-11/MEFP-12)
Grades: 12
Prerequisite: English 11
Provincial exam (Required): 40% of final
English 12 First Peoples provides opportunities for all students to engage with indigenous creative expression enter the worlds of First Peoples provincially, nationally, and internationally. The course focusses on the experiences, values, beliefs, and lived realities of First Peoples as evidenced in various forms of text—including oral story, speech, poetry, dramatic work, dance, song, film, and prose (fiction and non-fiction).
English 12 First Peoples is the academic equivalent of English 12. The course is designed to enable students to develop the English language and literacy skills and capacities they must have in order to meet British Columbia’s graduation requirements..
Grades: 11, 12
Pre-requisite: None. Literature 12 is an elective open to ALL students in Grade 11 & 12.
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.
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 12 Advanced Placement exam; the skills and content covered in Literature 12 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. This course provides opportunities for ALL students to do well.