English students focus on developing skills that will benefit them across a wide range of disciplines and throughout life. Starting in Grade 9 with the introduction of the Seven Transferable Skills, students begin to identify, understand, and develop their abilities as communicators, thinkers, and active participants in both their local and global communities. Students often put these skills into practice using an inquiry format, in which they select or develop a question to guide their thinking. They learn to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of sources to form opinions and ask questions. Book Clubs also make up a key component of both the inquiry process and the ongoing development of critical thinking and communication skills. We believe in engaging students in reading through the use of modern texts that are representative of a variety of cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Each year, students will select from a wide range of novels to honour their voice and choice in the reading process.
During the Book Club process, students learn to have deep conversations about relevant and critical issues, which allows them to connect their learning to their own experiences and the broader world. Furthermore, the self-awareness that students develop through frequent and ongoing reflection helps them take agency over their learning. By pausing to consider their strengths and next steps as learners, they are able to make informed choices regarding the direction of their learning. For example, in Grade 9, students complete a Growth and Goals project at the end of the course. This project allows students to self-select a skill they wish to develop further and, in conjunction with their teacher, create a project that will help them showcase that skill.
English classrooms are a collaborative space, and students often sit and work in groups. Our ultimate goal in English is to help students be better writers, thinkers, and communicators, while also helping them become more confident and responsible global citizens.
Department Members
- B. Guse - Department Head
- S. Miehe - Assistant Head
- K. Cumming
- P. Chui
- L. Hamilton
- C. Piazza
- S. Manhas
- A. Pascual
- M. Pascual
- R. Puno