The Skills Students Learn in English
From time to time, students like to stop and ask their teachers, “why are we doing this?” or “when will I even use this after school?” and occasionally, “will I get marked down for not using capital letters?”
Sometimes, all that’s required is, “because it’s in the curriculum” and other times, it requires a more in-depth discussion.
Judgement Time
It’s no secret that every day, our students are surrounded by stories, arguments and images. They scroll past the latest headlines, read messages, and watch movies and TikTok’s. Each of these things are helping them form opinions and make judgements of the world – sometimes in only a matter of seconds. In English at Esperance Senior High School, we work with the students to slow down that judgement making process and ask the questions that led us to that opinion. English is really the practice of asking the questions:
- What is the text trying to make me think about X?
- How is it making me form that opinion?
- Do I actually want to adopt that opinion?
Opinions Matter
This year, the students have been practicing this art of examining opinions and ideas in stories through classic novels, various movies, short stories, blog posts, documentaries etc. etc. The amount of learning that has taken place in English is frankly staggering.
Writing also remains key to everything we do. From structured paragraphs to extended essays in senior school, students learn to organise their thinking, support their ideas with evidence and write with purpose. These are skills that will serve them in further study, in the workplace and as active members of their community.
Enjoyment
Just as importantly, we want students to enjoy English. A good story can make us laugh, unsettle us or change how we see the world, and we love watching students discover that for themselves.
We are proud of the curiosity, effort and insight our students have shown this year. Families can support learning at home by asking about the texts being studied, or by sharing a favourite book or film of their own. You might be surprised by the conversation that follows!
