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Learning to read is a complex achievement, and learning to teach reading requires extensive knowledge and skills across the components of word recognition, language comprehension, spelling, and writing. Consider what the classroom demands of the teacher.
Welcome to BC English Department. Each English course consists of six sub-skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing design in a critical thinking framework. By completion of high school, students should have acquired the skills required for post-secondary options. Each English course requires habitual reading outside of class, the patience for revision and accuracy, open-mindedness, and willingness to participate. The goals of English are to develop a proficiency in communication and a lifetime appreciation for language and texts in multiple modes and media. Underpinning every English course in the BC Curriculum are the “Big Ideas” that text and story deepen our understanding of complex ideas, our identity, and our world; that people understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives; that texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed; and that language shapes ideas and influences us. While literary studies and written composition still form the foundation of English courses overall at Lord Byng, key changes compared to the previous curriculum include more attention to oral language, Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, varieties of media, and expanded definitions of “text.” English First Peoples courses carry the same weight for graduation requirements as do courses in the regular English stream. English First Peoples places an even stronger emphasis on spoken language, Indigenous texts, and Indigenous ways of knowing. The English First Peoples courses at any grade level (10, 11, or 12) will fulfill the new Indigenous-focused graduation requirement. English First Peoples 11 and English First Peoples 12 can each be taken on its own, but each can also be taken in conjunction with an English course from the regular stream (e.g., you may register for both English First Peoples 11 and Literary Studies 11; you may also register for both English First Peoples 12 and English Studies 12).
palmer's approach to english language learning
ELL 1/2 Writing: The focus of this course is to develop the foundation of writing through learning the structure of sentence and paragraphs as well as learning grammar and building vocabulary. Students will practice writing on a variety of topics for projects and assignments. ELL1/2 Reading: Students will develop beginner’s language proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing through reading a variety of texts such as stories, news articles, graphic novels and textbooks. ELL1/2 Social Studies & Science: Students will develop beginner’s proficiency in English through studying social studies and science content. Through the study of basic topics, grammar concepts and a focus on vocabulary building, students will develop skills in areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. ELL 3 Writing: The focus of this course is to improve writing skills. Students will practice academic and creative writing on a variety of topics. This will help to establish a good foundation in English grammar while building vocabulary. ELL 3 Reading: The focus of this course is to improve reading and vocabulary skills. Students will read various texts, fiction and non-fiction, including topics in social studies and English literature and will learn useful reading strategies to help improve reading comprehension. ELL 4: This course is designed to help advanced ELL learners further strengthen their overall English proficiency. Students will have a chance to work on various types of writing on a variety of topics through individual and group projects and assignments including presentations. ELL 5: Individual language support will be provided on request by a student or the advice of a subject teacher. An essay writing assignment will be given to students in each quarter. ELL Promotion Criteria