The WGSS English Department has a passion for literature. Reading informs and inspires us, transporting us to different times and places, and providing opportunity to see the world through others’ viewpoints. As we connect with literature, we gain insights about who we are, our role in the world, and our interconnectedness as human beings.

 

We are proud to offer a variety of options for English language learners.

Courses Offered

English 8 Options

In Grade 8, students will choose one of the following courses. 

Each course is a four credit course that satisfies the ELA requirement for Grade 8.

This course allows students to begin their journey into the world of high school literature. Students explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works (fiction and non-fiction) in a variety of media. Students will increase their literacy skills while developing their written and oral communication skills.

This course provides enrichment for students. Students will have opportunities to express their creativity and imagination through a wide variety of strategies and choice of topics. Individualized assignments and projects are a feature of this course. All applicants are required to complete a writing assessment on February 28 2023. To register for this course, please see the Application on the English Language Arts main site.

Prerequisite:  none

Students taking English 8 in the Gator Pod Program will address the same learning outcomes as students in the regular English 8 program. However, there will be a greater focus on the development of 21st century skills development such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Technology will be infused into the program to help bolster these 21st century skills. This is a BYOL “Bring Your Own Laptop” program. As well, students will use more of an inquiry based learning model wherein they will take more initiative and responsibility in many aspects of their learning. Students who wish to undertake enrichment activities to prepare for English 9 Honours are able to do so. Students must apply and interview to be part of this program. The application form is due on Feb 22. The interviews will be on March 1 2023.

English 9 Options

In Grade 9, students will choose one of the following courses. 

Each course is a four credit course that satisfies the ELA requirement for Grade 9.

Prerequisite: ELA 8/8H or Humanities 8

Students will study language structure, composition, and literature. The emphasis is on the developing students’ written and oral communication skills, on the analysis of narrative, expository and descriptive styles of writing, and on the appreciation of various literary forms.

Prerequisite: ELA 8/8H or Humanities 8

Students will study language structure, composition, and literature. The emphasis is on the developing students’ written and oral communication skills, on the analysis of narrative, expository and descriptive styles of writing, and on the appreciation of various literary forms.

Prerequisite: ELA 8/8H or Humanities 8

Students taking English 9 BYOL will address the same learning outcomes as students in the regular English 9 program. There will be a greater focus on the development of 21st century skills development such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Technology will be infused into the course to help bolster these 21st century skills. This is a BYOL “Bring Your Own Laptop” course. Students taking this course must also sign up for Social Studies 9 BYOL. 

 

Prerequisite: ELA 8/8H or Humanities 8 Honours

ELA is for those students who want the challenge of work that transcends the regular ELA curriculum. In Honours, students are required to do a higher level of reading, writing, and thinking, going beyond basic comprehension skills to an attempt at analysis and synthesis. Students should have the ability and the desire to work independently and in small groups on self-generated, self-directed projects. All applicants will be required to complete a writing assignment on March 28 2023. They must register using the application form on the English Course Guide page.

English 10 Options

Prerequisite:  ELA 9/9H or Humanities 9

The intent of English Language Arts 10 is to allow students to choose areas of study that best meet their needs and aspirations.

In Grade 10, students will choose one of the following courses.  

Each course is a four credit course that satisfies the ELA requirement for Grade 10:

Honours ELA is for those students who want the challenge of work that transcends the regular ELA curriculum. In Honours, students are required to do a higher level of reading, writing, and thinking, going beyond basic comprehension skills to an attempt at analysis and synthesis. Students should have the ability and the desire to work independently and in small groups on self-generated, self-directed projects. Students must complete this application form to indicate their interest in being considered for this course.  Students will receive credit for Literary Studies 10 and Creative Writing 10.

All applicants will be required to complete a writing assessment on Wednesday, March 30 2023.

English First Peoples 10 is for students interested in the study of Indigenous literature who want to develop their creative and critical thinking through oral and written language.  The course examines the power of storytelling and its influence on Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures and histories. The course surveys Indigenous literatures across a variety of genres, and supports students in their own journey to create pieces from a variety of genres.  This course incorporates all the skills – both academic and creative – that students will require for success in senior English classes.  *This course meets the 2023/24 Indigenous Graduation requirement.

English Studies 10 is for students interested in the study of literature who want to develop their skills in written and oral communication in a variety of contexts. The course allows students to explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works. Students will be provided opportunities to think critically about texts as they explore, extend, and refine their writing.  Students will also have the opportunity to develop higher-level thinking and learning skills.  *Students who choose this will need to take an Indigenous English or Social Studies course at the grade 11 or 12 level. 

Sports Journalism 10 is designed to allow students to make connections between writing and literature reflecting the world of sport. Students will also develop their writing skills through the lens of sport writing for television, radio, and digital media. They will create blogs or podcasts regarding sports, as well as take in-depth looks at various sports texts. Students will explore the style and substance of sport journalism, cross-platform reporting, written and visual storytelling, shaping language for the ear, interview techniques and the legal impacts of sport reporting. The course will work in association with WGSS school athletics, where students will engage with the school sports teams by viewing games and taking notes, interviewing players and coaches, and maintaining some form of online presence for the teams. Students who take this course will receive credit for Literary Studies and New Media 10.

English 11 Options

In grade 11, students will choose one of the following courses. 

Each course is a four-credit course that satisfies the ELA requirement for grade 11:

The Advanced Placement course in Language & Composition offers an alternative to regular ELA 11 for those students who appreciate an academic challenge and possess a sincere interest in becoming skilled writers for a variety of purposes. In their studies, students will become aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Students who successfully complete this course will be receiving eight graduation credits: four credits for Composition 11 and four credits for AP English Language & Composition 12. Students will have the option to write the AP Language & Composition exam in May (approximate fee $150). If a student scores 4 or 5 on the exam, they have the option to receive credit for a first-year university course. Students will also be prepared for the English 12 Advanced Literature & Composition class the following year.

Students interested in AP English Language & Composition 12 must complete this application form. All applicants will be required to complete a writing assessment on March 28 2023.

The Ministry uses this as your ELA 11 graduation requirement.

*Students in the Edge Program can take this course in addition to the Literary Studies 11 course that they take in Edge program. It will be an additional course in their schedule, and they will receive four credits for AP Language and Composition.

EFP 11 introduces students to diverse First Peoples literature, oral tradition, and media studies. The course offers opportunities for interactive communication and self-expression through holistic practice. Themes for EFP 11 include: community, tradition vs. modernity, humour, and balance entrenched in many different types of story and current events. Students will become more confident with their oral articulation and expression as well as strengthen their written output.  Students will work individually and collaboratively to enhance their critical and creative thinking skills and develop well rounded personal and social responsibilities.

English 12 Options

In grade 12, students must choose one of the following courses. 

Each course is a four credit course that satisfies the ELA requirement for grade 12.
Note: AP Courses are eight credits.

Prerequisite: An ELA 11 Course

This course allows students to communicate in a variety of contexts and think critically and creatively about the use of language. Students will analyze texts that reflect diverse world views and evaluate literary elements, techniques, and devices. They will be able to evaluate information for bias, contradictions, distortions, and omissions. Students will also understand how different formats and features of texts reflect a variety of purposes, audiences, and messages. They will use the writing process to create meaningful communications products using the appropriate conventions of language. This course meets the requirement for ELA 12 for university entrance and the ELA graduation requirement.

Prerequisite: An ELA 11 Course

EFP 12 allows students to explore a diverse range of authors, artists, advocates, guest speakers, and knowledge keepers from around the world to tap in to political, social, emotional, and controversial topics. In addition to written and oral communication skills EFP 12 offers a creative and hands-on atmosphere; The course offers an opportunity for authentic freedom of expression and deep conversation to enhance learning and build connections with self, other, and world. As a place-based course, EFP strives to function outside of the classroom to foster holistic and inclusive learning as much as possible. EFP 12 meets all requirements for an English 12 course and is recognizes by all post- secondary institutions as English 12.

Prerequisite: An ELA 11 Course

The Advanced Placement course in Literature & Composition offers an alternative to regular ELA 12 for those students who appreciate an academic challenge and possess a sincere interest in literature and composition. In the course students are engaged in a careful reading of literary works. Through such study, they sharpen their awareness of language and their understanding of the writer’s craft. Students are involved in both the study and practice of writing and the study of literature. Writing assignments will focus on the critical analysis of literature and will include essays in exposition and argument. Students will have the option to write the AP Literature & Composition exam in May (approximate fee $150). If a student scores a 4 or 5 on the exam, they have the option to receive credit for a first-year university course. This course meets the requirement for ELA 12 for university entrance and the ELA graduation requirement. Students interested in AP Literature & Composition 12 must complete the application form on the WGSS English Department Course Guide webpage.

All applicants will be required to complete a writing assessment on March 30 2023.

Universities will typically use ELA 12 or AP English Literature & Composition 12 as an academically approved Grade 12 course for admission. They will not use both in the calculation for admissions.

Capstone

 Prerequisite: Successful completion of all Grade 10 required courses for graduation. 

This course is the first half of the AP Capstone program made up of AP Seminar in grade 11 and the second half, AP Research in grade 12. This two-year program teaches students to develop the research, analysis and writing skills they will need to succeed at university. AP Seminar offers students opportunities to explore real-world problems that interest them, to evaluate different points of view, and to develop a personal perspective on complex, interdisciplinary issues through university-level analysis and inquiry projects of their choosing. Assessment will include three summative pieces: two presentation tasks (a team presentation with an individual research essay and an individual synthesis research paper) and a final exam in May. The skills required in these summative assessments will be practiced in smaller formative tasks throughout the year. 

Students may choose to submit their papers and presentation scores to the College Board for assessment and write the AP Seminar final exam with the approximate cost of $195. Students are encouraged to continue to develop their academic research and writing skills in AP Research 12.

Please note: AP Seminar 11 will be scheduled linear with AP English Language and Composition 11. (Seminar students are encouraged to apply for AP English Language and Composition; however exceptions can be made, with permission of the instructor, to receive an ELA 11 credit). 

Prerequisite: completion of AP Seminar 11.

This course is the second half of the AP Capstone program made up of AP Seminar in grade 11 and AP Research in grade 12. The program teaches students to develop the research, analysis and writing skills they will need to succeed at university. In AP Research, students will build on the skills they learned in AP Seminar as they learn to write a university-level research paper on a topic of interest to them; they will develop a research question, review current literature, find a gap, design a study to collect data and form a new conclusion as they write their research paper.

At the end of the research project, students will submit an academic research paper, present your findings, and orally defend your work. AP Research scores will be based on the paper, the presentation, and the oral defense, using the 1-5 AP scoring scale. Students may choose to submit their paper and presentation scores to the College Board for assessment.  Please note AP considers submission an “exam” with the approximate cost of $195. Students who complete AP Research 12 will receive Career Life Connections/Capstone 12 credit.

Please note: AP Research 12 will be scheduled linear with AP English Literature and Composition. (Research students are encouraged to apply for AP English Literature and Composition; however, with permission of the administration, students may apply for a study block).

Learn More

Students wishing to take an Honours or AP level course must fill out the appropriate application form:

Gator Pod 8 Application
English 8H Application
English 9H Application
English 10H Application
English 11H (AP Lang/Comp) Application
AP English 12 Application