DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
It is through language that we, as people, communicate our thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Language helps us to identify our common culture, heritage, society and community. In short, language is the tool we use to understand our world and communicate with it. Realizing this, it is the purpose of the English curriculum here at Concordia Academy to teach students to improve their language skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking. The development of oral and written communication skills is necessary not only for daily living, but also for success in post secondary educational pursuits and the work place. By completing the courses offered through the English department, students will learn to evaluate ideas, interpret various literary forms, appreciate the value of literature in their everyday lives and gain a greater understanding of the human condition as it relates to Christian teaching. Our goal, as a department, is for students to increase their level of interactivity with reading material, to advance their skills in understanding and analyzing our language in its written form, and to articulately express themselves by integrating all communication skills into their lives. It is our hope that the material learned will foster a desire to integrate concepts learned as part of their life-long intellectual, professional and spiritual growth.

CONCEPT LEVEL LEARNER OUTCOMES:
The goals of the Concordia Academy English Department encompass the areas of Literature and Communication. As these two areas are often interrelated, the outcomes listed below are general departmental outcomes. By completing courses offered by this department the student will:

1. 1. recognize the functions of language and the purposes of communication.
2. 2. demonstrate the ability to communicate for a variety of purposes and to a variety of audiences.
3. 3. understand and illustrate the writing process.
4. 4. employ habits of appropriate usage and language in oral and written expression.
5. 5. evaluate writing through a specific process and utilize accepted criteria.
6. 6. formulate opinions through critical analysis while respecting the opinions of others.
7. 7. relate literary themes to the human experience and critically analyze such themes through a Christian
8. 8. derive meaning and value from literature by connecting a text to personal experience.
9. 9. critically analyze, interpret, and evaluate literature.
10. 10. recognize, define, and utilize various literary devices.

COURSES OFFERED

• Language Arts
• English I
• Honors English I
• English II
• Honors English II
• American Literature
• Honors American Literature
• British Literature
• Advanced Placement British Literature
• Speech
• Advanced Writing
• WORLD LITERATURE

Language Arts. (Grades 9-12) This computer-assisted course is structured to help the student with basic learning skills: reading comprehension, reading speed, vocabulary and understanding. Emphasis is placed upon the study of grammar, writing and basic study skills. Placement will be based upon reading scores and the recommendation of the eighth grade English instructors. (Credit arranged.)

English I. (Grade 9) Freshman English is the introductory course in the sequence of English classes at Concordia Academy. This class prepares students for high school level work in critical reading of literature, academic writing, and public speaking using good study skills. This course will both ensure that all students have a sufficient English preparation for further high school work and allow students to expand their skills in reading and communicating. (One semester, 1 credit. English I or Honors English I required for graduation.)

Honors English I. (Grade 9) Freshman Honors English is the introductory course in the sequence of honors and advanced placement English classes at Concordia Academy. This class prepares the best English students in the ninth grade class for high level work in critical reading of literature, academic writing, and public speaking using good study skills. This course will both ensure that all students have a sufficient English preparation for further honors high school work and allow students to expand their skills in reading and communicating. (Prerequisite: B+ or better, high standardized test scores, or instructor’s approval.) (One semester, 1 credit. English I or Honors English I required for graduation.)

English II. (Grade 10) This course continues the work begun in English I, with an emphasis on a deeper, more complex approach to reading and writing. The course concentrates on three areas: literary elements and analysis, grammar structures and usage, and thesis writing. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexity of literature and the writing process, and their response to it. (One semester, 1 credit. English II or Honors English II required for graduation.)

Honors English II. (Grade 10) This course continues the work begun in Honors English I, with an emphasis on a deeper, more complex approach to reading and writing. The course concentrates on four areas: literary elements and analysis, analysis of literary devices, grammar structures and usage, and thesis writing. Students are increasingly responsible for their own learning and will gain an appreciation of the complexity of literature and the writing process, and their response to it. (Prerequisite: Recommendation from freshman English instructor, One semester, 1 credit. English II or Honors English II required for graduation.)

American Literature. (Grade 11) This course examines the prevailing themes in American
literature and the characteristics unique to six regions of the country. Critical reading and writing skills will be
practiced throughout the semester, with emphasis on the extended literary analysis. Basic speech skills will be reviewed, culminating in the Speech Final at the end of the course. (One semester, 1 credit. 1.5 credits of American and English Literature required for graduation.)

Honors American Literature. (Grade 11) This course examines the prevailing themes in American literature and the characteristics unique to six regions of the country. The survey of literature will includes a wide variety of poetry, essays, short stories, and novels. Advanced skill in critical reading is practiced through a daily reading response journal and small-group discussion. Advanced writing skills will be developed throughout the semester, with emphasis on the extended literary analysis. Basic speech skills will be reviewed, culminating in the Speech Final at the end of the course. (Prerequisite: Signature of recommendation from previous English instructor, One semester, 1 credit. 1.5 credits of American and English Literature required for graduation.)

British Literature. (Grade 12) British Literature is an in-depth study of the literature, themes, and history of the English language (British dialects), for the purposes of identifying a common language origin, effectively communicating in that common language, and analyzing the timeless elements of human experience in literature. (One semester, 1 credit. 1.5 credits of American and English Literature required for graduation.)

Advanced Placement British Literature. (Grade 12) This course is intended to educate students from an historical perspective to identify, analyze and assimilate material from various literary genres (by British and other World authors), into their personal lives. A student who successfully completes this course will be able to effectively communicate in writing, speech, and presentational media, responses to the universal themes presented in the literature; all through a Christian perspective. Students have the opportunity to complete the Advanced Placement examination for the benefit of earning college credit for this course. (Prerequisite: Recommendation from junior English instructor, Grade 12. One semester, 1 credit. 1.5 credits of American and English Literature required for graduation.)

NOTE: Advanced Writing or Speech may be taken in place of one quarter of either American or English Literature. Both may be taken as electives.

Speech. (Grades 11-12) This course is designed to help students develop further their public speaking skills. (One quarter, .5 credit.)

Advanced Writing. (Grades 11-12) The purpose of the Advanced Writing course is to give students the opportunity to expand their writing abilities and personal style, while preparing them for the types of writing they will encounter in the work place, post-secondary educational institutions, and in their personal lives. (One quarter, .5 credit.)

WORLD LITERATURE. Grades 11-12 This class is intended to give students the widest possible exposure to the history, literature, and cultures of the world. We will visit the literatures of Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East in a wide range of time periods. (1quarter, .5 credit)