L1ENG

Liston Level 1 English

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr P. Houlahan.

The LEAP contains a range of texts and assessment challenges to prepare students for the rigours of NCEA and further study. The course is designed to help students make sense of a complex and fast changing world. In this course we emphasise reinforcement of the basic skills involved in reading and writing accurately, as we endeavour to build student confidence and allow them to find their own voice and respond critically to a range of modern and classic texts. Texts studied in the LEAP range from classics like Lord of the Flies, or Macbeth, to more modern books such as The Hate U Give, or Montana 1948. We have a strong emphasis on Maori and indigenous voices in our course, with texts such as Whale Rider or The Savage Coloniser featuring. We are attempting to ensure our students growing up in West Auckland in 2024 are exposed to as many viewpoints on the wider world as possible. 

Many students will end up doing a selection of Liston Credits tandards based on consultation with their teachers. We will endeavour as much as possible to fit the course to the strengths and needs of each student. 

In 2024 we will be using some of the new, combined with the traditional, methods of assessment. We believe the mixture provided in our LEAP will provide an excellent jumping off point for NCEA Level 2 and beyond. 

Course Overview

Term 1
Intro to course and set texts.

We are focused on WRITING for the first four weeks - addressing mechanics of writing, unpacking syntax/grammar/apostrophes - helping students avoid common errors.

Weeks 5-10 : CREATIVE writing

LISTON Assessment Internal - 5 credits, due at the end of week 1, Term 2.

Term 2
Week 1 - FINAL copy of creative writing due

NOVEL study - will vary by class.

Preparation for CAA (for those who need this literacy standard)

END of Term - External essay, Novel - Liston 5 credits


Term 3
Visual Text, Film study - most of term.

ESSAY practice for externals.

WEEK 8/9 - Unfamiliar Practice

Week 10 - Prelim exams

Term 4
EXAM prep.

SUBMIT writing folio - best two pieces - END of week 1.

Liston Credits 5

EXAM - Unfamiliar TEXT, plus essay standard, Visual OR Written

Recommended Prior Learning

Achievement Standards entered at Level 1 will vary according to the class students are placed in and what Standards students have already completed.

Pathway

Our LEAP course (Liston English Academic Preparation) involves the English department ensuring students have the skills, tools and confidence to be successful in NCEA Level 2, 3 and Scholarship English. We have incororporated the best of the new (2024) English curriculum which asks students to Understand, Know, and Do and married that with some more traditional approaches to learning. We are seeking to both challenge and engage our students and show them the awesome breadth and intellectual power that comes through studying English. .

Career Pathways