reo kōkuku | English

Course aims / learning outcomes

This course supports students to be effective oral, written and visual communicators who are able to think critically and in depth. In this course students are taught to understand how language works, how to make appropriate language choices and apply them to a range of contexts. Students learn to deconstruct and critically interrogate texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape their own and others' lives. 

Course content

• Students will analyse a range of written, visual and oral texts. 
• Students will show a discriminating understanding of how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences.
• Students will show a discriminating understanding of how language features are used for effect within and across texts.

Assessment statement

A total of 29 Achievement Standard credits are offered within this course. This includes 8 external credits and 17 internal credits. Students will target some, but not all of the credits. Decisions will be made, in conversation with the learning advisor, dependent on student goals, their level of independence and attitude to learning.  A student who completes one internal assessment each term, and sits one external assessment can earn 17 - 21 credits. 

Students will be given the opportunity to complete internal assessment work within the classroom and at home, however they must share all draft work with the Learning Advisor. Assessments will take place when the student and learning advisor agree that the student is ready for the assessment. 

Authenticity

• Assignments that take place over time will be produced in an online system such as Google Docs. Learning Advisors will monitor student work by accessing document history. A portion of work will need to be completed during class time under Learning Advisor supervision. 
• Students may be required to sign an authenticity statement, perform certain parts of assessment tasks under close supervision, or show through interview and the existence of notes and supporting material that the work submitted by the student is genuinely their own work.

Appeal Procedures

• Students have the right to appeal the mark they have been awarded. If a student wishes to appeal a grade, they should initially talk to the subject learning advisor about the marking process immediately after the marked assessment task is shown to them. If still dissatisfied the student should make an appointment and discuss grades with the Principal’s Nominee who will check that the correct procedures have been followed as outlined in the school and subject policies taking into account any special circumstances.

Table of Assessments. Students will choose to complete assessments after discussion with the Learning Advisor