Year 10 English — Ruyton Girls' School

What is this subject about?

The Year 10 course is designed to build upon and extend competencies in the three language dimensions: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

In Text Study, the works chosen are more demanding than those of previous years and require a more mature, analytical approach to the exploration of character, themes and issues in the texts. Students study a range of forms of literature including a play and a graphic novel as they broaden their understanding of the way that literature and writers/creators engage with the world around them. Through the exploration of canonical and contemporary texts of literary merit, students broaden their understanding of how literature relates to the world of ideas and debate.

Creative writing work continues to develop and extend students’ competencies in writing for different purposes and audiences. Students are introduced to more challenging genres, structures and language features. Through analysing models of writing, students extend their awareness of writing as a craft. Composing a 'Statement of Intention' on their writing encourages students to be aware of the various language and structural devices used in the construction of the written text.

Oral work in formal and informal contexts includes activities such as prepared talks, debates, role play, prose and play readings, class and small group discussion. Public Speaking in a formal context provides students with the opportunity to develop and refine their oral communication and presentation skills. In addition, students' self-assessment provides an opportunity for students to evaluate their own strategies in constructing a speech and presenting it.

In Issues work, the examination of media texts aims to develop a critical understanding of how language and argument work to persuade and influence readers. In addition, students gain experience in presenting a point of view on a range of topical issues. For Public Speaking, students are required to research and present a speech on a current issue in the media, thus increasing their understanding of more complex ideas and an awareness of the range of opinions. To develop research and study skills, students are helped to locate and encouraged to use information from a variety of reference sources including accessing information from print and electronic sources.

How will I demonstrate my learning?

Text Essays; Comparative Text Essays; Creative Writing, Oral Presentation; Argument Analysis, Semester Examination.

Year 10 English as an Additional Language (EAL)

As part of the Year 10 English Program, EAL (English as an Additional Language) students will receive support to prepare them for VCE Units 1-4 English as an Additional Language. The aim of this study is to support students to develop their ability to use English in an appropriate and effective way. This includes using English as a means of learning in all domains and the development of knowledge about language.

Support is given in:

Speaking and Listening

To be able to listen, question and respond successfully in a wide range of social and academic contexts, demonstrating efficient control of stress, rhythm and intonation to be understood in most contexts
To use appropriate non-verbal language, taking account purpose and audience, when presenting texts
To discuss issues and texts from across the curriculum using modelled examples
To interpret the gist of spoken and audiovisual texts, and with support, understand the full text

Reading

Through guided activities, students demonstrate an understanding of the main ideas, issues or plot developments on a range of texts from across the curriculum
To understand the different purposes and structures of a range of text- types and came predictions about likely content
To identify the stages of narrative texts, and the role of headings, sub-headings, diagrams and captions in factual texts
To be able to extract meaning by identifying cohesive and reference items and semantic cues
To use appropriate metalanguage to discuss the structure and features of a text
To use skimming, scanning and close reading techniques as appropriate

Writing

To write fictional and factual text types showing an awareness of purpose and audience
To demonstrate consistent control of appropriate grammar
To be able to take notes using appropriate abbreviations

TUTORIAL (by arrangement only)

Some students may be invited to join the Tutorial class or to continue with Tutorial, instead of studying a Language. The class focuses on English curriculum support in addition to other language rich curriculum areas; the consolidation of literacy skills; and the further development of study skills, learning and organisational strategies.