English Language Arts at the 30 level is a graduation requirement for all high school students.
Students can follow one of two course sequences (illustrated below). Although the content of the courses is similar, the depth of concept development, the sophistication of textual analysis, and the complexity of text creation are more rigorous in the Dash 1 sequence.
In the above diagram, the solid arrows denote the typical pathways and preferred transfer points a student follows to progress from course level to course level, and the dashed arrows denote potential points from course level to course level.
Courses
5 credits per course
This course sequence is designed for students with a strong aptitude for both reading and writing. Students must become more and more independent and be willing to rigorously develop the skills associated with critical thinking, expression of ideas in writing and speech, and personal meaning-making in response to literature. Over the three course levels in the -1 stream, students will develop their critical/analytical writing, reading, listening, speaking, viewing, representing and metacognitive skills. Students can expect that, with each course level, the thematic and structural complexity and sophistication of both the content of the literature studied and the expression and quality of their own ideas and writing will increase significantly. This sequence of courses will provide students with the skills required for entry into post-secondary programs including, but not exclusive to, the Arts, Education, Science, Business and Engineering faculties. At the end of English Language Arts 30-1, students must write a provincial diploma examination.
Prerequisite: 60% or higher in English Language Arts 9
5 credits per course
This course sequence is designed for students who are capable English Language Arts students willing to show the effort and skill development required for success. Students must become independent and competent readers and writers as they move upward through the course levels, with guided in-class reading and writing opportunities. Students will be required to learn the technical skills associated with reading with a focus on character context, viewing (the use of visual techniques in narratives), and writing practical, personal, persuasive and analytical forms. If a student is looking toward entering technical programs, the trades or other college level programs, the -2 course sequence is an appropriate choice. To complete English Language Arts 30-2, students must write a provincial diploma examination.
Recommended prerequisite: 50-64% in English Language Arts 9
This is a course within the IB programme
5 credits
This course involves an introduction to both the English IB program as well as an introduction to English at the senior high school level. The course content follows the Alberta curriculum and the assessment criterion is based on the Alberta standard of evaluation. English 10i is a full-year course which provides students with the opportunity to enhance their writing skills, critical analytical thinking skills and presentation skills throughout the year. English Language Arts 10i is a full-year course taken concurrently with Social Studies 10i and IB Mentorship.
Recommended prerequisite: honours in Grade 9 English
This is a course within the IB programme
5 credits per course
Literature HL and Works in Translation encompass the IB and Alberta curricula. IB requires that students give two individual presentations and a written assignment during their two-year course of study. The IB exams for Language A Literature Year 2 will be written in May of Year 2, and students will write the ELA 30-1 Alberta provincial diploma examination in June.
Prerequisite: English Language Arts 10-1. Recommended prerequisite: English 10i
This is a course within the IB programme
3 credits per course
Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary, meta-cognitive course that explores various ways of knowing within different areas of knowledge. Students in Year 2 give a short presentation on a topic of their choice and write a 1,600-word essay on one of six prescribed topics. These courses are mandatory for IB diploma candidates.
Prerequisite: none for Theory of Knowledge 25; TOK 25 is a prerequisite for Theory of Knowledge 35
This is a course within the IB programme
3 credits
Taken concurrently with Literature HL Year 1 in semester two, the texts in this section of the course were originally written in a language other than English.
Corequisite: Literature HL Year 1