L1ENSK

Level 1 English Skills

Course Description

Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Ms J. Collins.

Level 1 English Skills is an English course that students can choose as a replacement for General English. This course is tailored specifically for students who legitimately struggle with reading and writing and for whom the main focus is to gain the Literacy co-requisite credits.  

Students in Level 1 English Skills will focus on preparing for the Literacy exams by learning about how we use language to communicate ideas in writing. Students will practice writing for different purposes and work on understanding ideas presented in a range of written forms. There will also be the opportunity for students to attempt up to two English achievement standards if they are ready for this.


Course Overview

What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
Reading Comprehension
This focus will be ongoing throughout the year. You will read texts in a range of styles and forms, looking at how ideas are expressed in simple and complex ways. This will be good preparation for your Literacy Reading common assessment, which you will sit in Term Two (and again in Term Three if necessary).

Writing and Grammar
This will be an ongoing focus throughout the year. You will learn about language and grammar in context, as well as key techniques used in different styles of writing to create different effects. You will also use these skills to produce your own writing for different purposes. This will be good preparation for your Literacy Writing common assessment, which you will sit in Term Two (and again in Term Three if necessary).

Understanding studied text
This unit will focus on specific aspects which go into the creation of a written or visual text. You will look at ideas within the text, how they are expressed through specific techniques, as well as how these ideas are relevant to you and wider society.

Understanding unfamiliar texts
This will be assessed in the external examination at the end of the year, with learning ongoing throughout the year. You will analyse the use of language techniques, text structure and style in three different, unfamiliar texts to discuss how the author has used these to communicate ideas effectively with the reader. Texts will include at least one New Zealand text, and at least one poem.

Recommended Prior Learning

Entry to this course is only by the recommendation of HOF or Senior Leaders.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Charged device. Pen.

Pathway

English is a foundational skill, which is of value in any future career. This is particularly true in people-related jobs such as; social work, health care, journalism, media, education, etc.

English is also useful in support of many other subject areas, and is a prerequisite for a number of courses, both in school and beyond.

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Students will complete up to two English Achievement Standards in this course.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

Total Credits Available: 20
Internal Assessed Credits: 5
External Assessed Credits: 15
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 32403 v2
NZQA Info

Demonstrate understanding of ideas and information in written texts


Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 32405 v3
NZQA Info

Write texts to communicate ideas and information


Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91925 v3
NZQA Info

English 1.2 - Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text


Level: 1
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91927 v4
NZQA Info

English 1.4 - Demonstrate understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts


Level: 1
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: Y
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 20
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 20
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Please note that courses will go ahead only if student numbers, staffing, and timetabling allow it.  Where a subject is oversubscribed, and there are insufficient numbers or resources to create an extra class, a ballot system may be applied.  

Costs

The Board of Trustees has again asked to opt into the Ministry of Education donation scheme. Doing so resulted in the ability to waive student fee donations. Kaiapoi High School aims to deliver quality educational courses over and above those that which is funded by the Ministry. It is likely the School will opt into the donation scheme for 2025, however parental contribution for the costs of trips and activities where participation is optional, and/or components not covered by the Government grant, may be requested. We appreciate the financial support our families make to the School.