English and Modern Languages

The English program in Grades 9 to 12 includes compulsory courses and optional courses. The compulsory courses emphasize strong core competencies in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing. Students choose between course types on the basis of their interests, achievement, and post-secondary goals.

Strands in the English program

The English program focuses on four strands:

1. Oral Communication

2. Reading and Literature Studies

3. Writing

4. Media Studies

Department information

Below is information regarding Grade 9 to 12 curriculum, course outlines, policies, the Accelerated Reader program and more:

NEW for September 2020 "Grade 11 English: Aboriginal Voices" NBE3U/C/E 
Our school community is pleased to announce that effective September 2020 we will be offering a new Grade 11 English curriculum, inspired by Indigenous voices and focused on contemporary literature. These mandatory Grade 11 English courses will explore the themes, forms, and stylistic elements of a variety of literary, informational, graphic, oral, cultural and media text forms emerging from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures in Canada and will reflect our Catholic Graduate Expectations and Catholic Social Teachings. "English: Contemporary Aboriginal Voices" NBE3U/C/E will be offered at all levels (university, college and workplace preparation) to fulfill the mandatory requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and are recognized by all post-secondary institutions.  
Accelerated Reader Program 

As part of the course work in all English classes (except 12U), students can participate in the Accelerated Reader (AR) program. In order to earn the 5% allotted to AR, students must pass a minimum of three quizzes based on books they have read. In addition, students must accumulate a minimum number of points as outlined below:

 

Grade LevelCourse LevelPoints

Grade 9 and 10

Academic

25 points

Grade 9 and 10

Applied

10 points

Grade 11

University

30 points

Grade 11 and 12

College

15 points

All quizzes are completed in the Learning Commons (Library) Centre and signed by the teacher-librarian (or designate). Taking quizzes is an individual activity, not for pairs or groups.

All protocols for computer use in the library are as follows:

  • Students must sign up for a computer at the circulation desk by displaying their student ID card.
  • Students may only take quizzes with the teacher-librarian's knowledge and permission.
  • Students may not have books, pens, pencils, paper, cell phones, etc. at the computers during an AR quiz.
  • Students may not take an AR quiz until the STAR reading assessment has been completed.
 
Advanced Placement Program 

The Advanced Placement program allows motivated high school students to prepare for and write university level exams while still in secondary school. Teachers prepare students for the exam while delivering the Ontario curriculum.

 
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) 

All students must meet a literacy requirement in order to graduate high school. In Grade 10, students will write the Ontario Secondary School Literary Test.

Students who do not pass the OSSLT on the first attempt can meet the literacy requirement either by rewriting and passing the test or by successfully completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC). The credit earned for this course may be used to meet the Grade 11 or Grade 12 compulsory credit requirement in English.