English

Ko te reo te tuakiri, Ko te reo tāku ahurei, Ko te reo te ora.
Language is my identity, Language is my uniqueness, Language is my life.

We are dedicated to teaching students vital communication skills that benefit them later in life.

In English, we aim to equip students to make sense of the storm of messages the world throws them. We strive to develop critical mind-sets to discriminate the useful from the useless, the objective from the biased, and the substantial from the shallow. Rather than schooling learners about what is good and right, we seek to empower them with the necessary tools and confidence to assert their own beliefs. We challenge our students with sophisticated, relevant texts and with ideas beyond the page.

English provides outlets for creativity and enthusiasm in expression. Our passion for language and literature can create a momentum beyond the classroom and if we truly succeed, our students take their creative and critical outlook into the world.

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein

Everyone deserves to use the power of language to improve their world. We recognise this in all of our students. It is crucial that we keep those minds attuned to their potential; then they get to choose their path and participate fully in the fast-moving, complicated and sometimes confusing world beyond school.

English education is key to all areas of learning and success in life.

HOD English – Callum Gray

Qualifications: I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Auckland and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Otago.

Experience: I grew up in Auckland and attended universities here and in Dunedin. After teaching briefly at the University of Otago I spent several years teaching English overseas before returning to retrain and teach in Auckland. I joined the English department at Mount Roskill Grammar School in 2009, and have taught here ever since.

Why I teach my subject: What I love about teaching my subject is the opportunities it provides to us daily in class to make better sense of the world and our experience. I enjoy teaching literature because it’s a tremendous testing ground for experience, because it fosters empathy and offers us enduring lessons in triumph and failure at no personal cost. More than this, however, I teach my subject for those magical moments when students discover in themselves the power of expressing their own experience in their own articulate voice.

Why I teach at MRGS: I think there is an enduring warmth at Mount Roskill Grammar that emanates from students and staff. It’s a busy and hardworking school, but there is a real sense of staff and students working collectively toward a common goal.

Courses and Pathways

Year 9 & 10 English (Compulsory)

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Junior Diploma Credits:

12 Credits

BYOD Recommendations:

Chomebooks are provided when required.

Year 9:

Reciprocal Reading
Reorganisation of Text
Novel Study
Inferencing Skills

Year 10:

Reciprocal Reading
Reorganisation of Text
Grammar Proficiency
Summarising
Inferencing Skills
STEPS Programme (Software programme supporting remedial literacy) also delivered to students where required.

11 English

Entry Requirements:

English teachers will decide on the most appropriate English course for each student based on Year 10 results.

Credits:

Up to 21 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

An internet and word-processing capable device, such as a Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students who demonstrate sound written communication skills and understand literature. The focus of this course is on reading and creating texts. Students will develop there ability to create visual media, make connections across texts, and their creative and formal essay writing skills.

Achievement Standards:

AS 90849 1.1 Show understanding of studied written text(s) EXT
AS 90850 1.2 Show understanding of studied visual or oral text(s) EXT
AS 90052 1.4 Produce creative writing INT
AS 90053 1.5 Produce formal writing INT (optional)
AS 90855 1.7 Create a visual text INT
AS 90852 1.8 Explain significant connections between texts INT

11 English Literacy

Entry Requirements:

English teachers will decide on the most appropriate English course for each student based on Year 10 results.

Credits:

15 + 10 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

An internet and word-processing capable device, such as a Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students to develop their communication skills in written and visual forms, as well as their ability to read, understand and respond to literature.

Achievement Standards:

AS 90850 1.2 Show understanding of studied visual or oral text(s) EXT
AS 90855 1.7 Create a visual text INT
AS 90852 1.8 Explain significant connections between texts INT
AS 90054 1.10 Personal response to independently read texts INT
Level 1 US 26622 Writing INT
Level 1 US 26624 Reading INT
Level 1 US 26635 Speaking INT

12 English

Entry Requirements:

Merit or higher in Level 1 English internal standards, and Merit or higher in at least one external standard.

Credits:

21 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

Students who want to develop their analytical and communication skills, and deepen their appreciation of literature.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91098 2.1 Analyse specified aspect(s) of written text(s) supported by evidence EXT
AS 91099 2.2 Analyse specified aspect(s) of visual or oral text(s) supported by evidence EXT
AS 91101 2.4 Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing INT
AS 91102 2.5 Construct and deliver a crafted and controlled oral text INT
AS 91106 2.9 Form developed personal responses to independently read texts supported by evidence INT

12 English Literacy

Entry Requirements:

Level 1 Literacy

Credits:

Up to 18 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students to develop their communication skills in written and visual forms, as well as their ability to read, understand and respond to literature.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91098 2.1 Analyse specified aspect(s) of written text(s) supported by evidence EXT
AS 91102 2.5 Construct and deliver a crafted and controlled oral text INT (optional)
AS 91104 2.7 Analyse significant connections across texts supported by evidence INT
AS 91106 2.9 Form developed personal responses to independently read texts supported by evidence INT (optional)
US 2989 Select, read, and assess texts to gain knowledge INT
US 3492 Write a short report INT

13 English Written Language

Entry Requirements:

12 Credits at Level 2 in English. UE Literacy including 2.4 (AS 91101) Writing portfolio.

Credits:

21 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

Students who want to develop their writing and speaking skills and deepen their critical appreciation of literature.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91472 3.1 Respond critically to significant aspects of written text(s) studied EXT
AS 91473 3.2 Respond critically to significant aspects of visual or oral text(s) studied EXT
AS 91475 3.4 Produce a selection of fluent, coherent writing which develops, sustains and structures ideas INT
AS 91476 3.5 Create and deliver a fluent, coherent oral text which develops, sustains and structures ideas INT (optional)
AS 91479 3.8 Develop an informed understanding of literature using critical texts INT

13 English Visual Language

Entry Requirements:

12 Credits at Level 2 in English. UE Literacy would be beneficial but not mandatory.

Credits:

21 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

Students who want to develop their visual presentation and speaking skills and deepen critical appreciation of visual texts.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91472 3.1 Respond critically to significant aspects of written text(s) studied EXT
AS 91473 3.2 Respond critically to significant aspects of visual or oral text(s) studied EXT
AS 91476 3.5 Create and deliver a fluent, coherent oral text which develops, sustains and structures ideas INT
AS 91477 3.6 Create a fluent, coherent visual text which develops, sustains and structures ideas using verbal and visual language INT
AS 91479 3.8 Develop an informed understanding of literature using critical texts INT
AS 91480 3.9 Respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence INT

13 English Literacy

Entry Requirements:

Level 1 Literacy and at least 3 credits at Level 2 in English would be helpful but not mandatory.

Credits:

15 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Chromebook or better.

Who is this course for?

This course is for students to develop their communication skills in written and visual forms, as well as their ability to read, understand and respond to literature.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91099 2.2 Analyse specified aspect(s) of visual or oral text(s) supported by evidence EXT
AS 91105 2.8 Use information literacy skills to form developed conclusion(s) INT
AS 91106 2.9 Form developed personal responses to independently read texts supported by evidence INT
Level 2 US 3488 Write a business correspondence for a workplace INT

Ainsley Lim

Subject I have taken: I am studying Visual English

Why I am studying this subject: This subject is beneficial for me as in the future I will be taking Computer Science with a major in Analytics. Following this course helps me develop different areas of my learning and gives me options so I’m not limited.

What this subject offers me: It’s important for me to communicate ideas and write reports and Visual English offers both. We view and critically analyse the text, having discussions and thinking more deeply. We are also research current society and explore the basis of our ideology.

Why I love this subject: I personally love films and we have discussions about the plot, characters, cinematography and message. This subject is really useful for visual learners like myself. The art of visual English is having the ability to show your feelings and thoughts through visual artwork as well as the written word, something which allows me to express myself even more deeply.