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.
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.
External
NZQA Info
Demonstrate understanding of ideas and information in written texts
NZQA Info
Write texts to communicate ideas and information
NZQA Info
English 1.2 - Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text
NZQA Info
English 1.4 - Demonstrate understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar texts
Click on a career pathway tag to explore more....
Trainer, Early Childhood Teacher, Kaiwhakaako Māori, Counsellor, Youth Worker, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Registered Nurse, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Author, Clinical Coder, Psychologist, Journalist, Interpreter, Community Development Worker, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Primary School Teacher, Translator, Occupational Therapist, Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Secondary School Teacher, Social Worker, Teacher Aide, Psychotherapist, Case Manager, Career Consultant, Support Worker,
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.