ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Recommended Sequence of English Courses
Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
English I (L, S, A) English II (L, S, A) English III (S, A)
*Effective Writing (S)		 English IV (S, A)
*Effective Writing (S)
Eng 2nd Lang I (S) Eng 2nd Lang I II (S) Eng 2nd Lang II (S)  
Levels are listed in parentheses. Electives are marked with an asterisk (*).
(L = Lasallian, S = Scholastic, A = Accelerated)

English I (L, S, A) Grade 9      Required full year course (4 credits)
This Freshman course provides students with an introduction to literary genres (short story, novel, poetry, drama, essay, etc.) and serves as the basis for continued study of literature in successive years. Included in this course is a review of the fundamentals of English grammar and composition as well as vocabulary development.
The Accelerated Level offers exceptional students a commitment to in-depth analysis of literature and exposes them to the critical evaluation of literary works. Students are expected to complete extensive daily reading from the text and additional outside novels. Extensive writing assignments emphasize research and critical analysis.
The Scholastic Level challenges students through an in-depth study of the literature and encourages students to think independently and critically. Extensive selections from the text are assigned as well as significant outside reading and writing assignments.
The Lasallian Level provides students with the fundamental reading and writing skills essential for continued study of literature. Required reading includes selected literary works from the text as well as several additional novels. Multiple compositions are also assigned. Significant experiential instructional methodology will be employed to strengthen student’s foundation in this academic discipline.

English II (L, S, A) Grade 10      Required full year course (4 credits)
This survey course in American literature includes a study of the various literary periods and the historical influences of traditional American writers. The curriculum also offers continued development of skills in grammar and composition and focuses on mechanics and usage, reference and study skills, and vocabulary development.
The Accelerated Level offers exceptional students a commitment to in-depth study of American literature and requires individual research and analysis of the literature. Assignments include extensive daily reading and numerous outside paperbacks along with significant writing assignments based on student research.
Prerequisite: Approval of current English teacher and Member of Administration.
The Scholastic Level emphasizes readings from both primary and secondary sources as students complete a chronological survey of American literature. Works are analyzed with attention to their literary as well as their historical significance. Numerous selections from the text are supplemented by selected novels from the various literary periods studied. Written assignments are frequent and require student analysis of the literary works.
The Lasallian Level offers students the opportunity to study representative works of American literature and emphasizes the literary works in a historical context. Selections from the text are supplemented by several outside readings. Students will be expected to complete multiple composition assignments each marking period based on their reading. Significant experiential instructional methodology will be employed to strengthen student’s foundation in this academic discipline.

English III (S, A) Grade 11      Required full year course (4 credits)
This course is a survey of the literature produced in England from the earliest recorded literary works to the present. It includes the major literary figures and characteristics of various ages as well as the political, religious, social and economic events that influenced each age. In conjunction with the literature, students will continue to develop their writing skills through varied composition assignments that require them to comment on, evaluate, criticize, explain, interpret, and/or imitate the literature. Grammar and vocabulary are stressed through a study of their function in the literature, and through the required compositions and essays.
The Accelerated Level is the first year of a two year college level program. A student seeking entrance into this class must secure faculty recommendation and must exhibit a high level of academic commitment in Freshman and Sophomore year through a superior grade point average. The extended approach to British literature provides exceptional and self-motivated students with expertise in written analysis and investigation and figurative techniques expected on a college level. Written communication skills will be carefully scrutinized. Extensive daily reading from the text and additional paperbacks are required along with independent research.
Prerequisite: Approval of current English teacher and Member of Administration.
The Scholastic Level requires students to explore the literary tradition of England through the text as well as through independent research in primary and secondary sources. Extensive reading selections from the text and additional paperbacks are assigned along with lengthy written compositions and critical essays.

English IV (S, A) Grade 12      Required full year course (4 credits)
This Senior level course presents a survey of world literature beginning with the earliest recorded literary works. Emphasis is placed on the literature of major civilizations, such as Greece and Rome, and includes literature from Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. There is continued effort to broaden the content of the course to reflect the multicultural and multi-ethnic nature of the student body. Grammar, composition and vocabulary development culminate in the completion of a research paper required of all students.
Accelerated: This college level course, Great Books of the Western World I and II, completes the two-year program, and students choosing to enroll in this course must receive the approval of their English III teacher. Students must register each semester for college credit through Seton Hall University’s Project Acceleration (3 credits per semester). An additional fee is associated with the Seton Hall course. The first semester explores the classics of world literature from Gilgamesh and the ancient Greeks to Shakespeare. The second semester examines literary works from the Enlightenment and Romanticism to modern times. A formal research paper is required each semester.
Prerequisite: Approval of current English teacher and Member of Administration.
College Credit required.
The Scholastic Level provides students with the opportunity to analyze the literature with regard to relevant religious, social, political and economic factors. The course involves the study of extensive selections from the text along with significant outside readings and written assignments, including a research paper.

*Effective Writing (S) Grade 11, 12      Elective full year course (4 credits)
This course is designed to strengthen, improve and refine skills of self-expression in written form. The class is organized as an intensive workshop that offers the student a variety of writing experiences. Students should possess an avid interest in writing and a willingness to experiment with new forms of effective writing.
Prerequisites: Approval of current English teacher.

English as a Second Language (ESL) I (S) Grade 9, 10   Required full year course (4 credits)
This course, designed for students who have little or no communication skills in English, is presented in two stages. The brief introductory course is an integrated program designed for the beginning student. The Basic Course, stage two, begins at the elementary level and, through special “modules”, helps the student to develop oral, written and reading skills. Supplemental modules assist students in the development of skills in the following areas: conversation, pronunciation, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and reading.

English as a Second Language (ESL) II (S) Grade 10, 11   Required full year course (4 credits)
This course is a comprehensive language learning program intended to complement the traditional work on grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and the four skill areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to express themselves via all standard methods of communication as they learn about facets of everyday American life, thus combining the development of their communication skills with an understanding of American culture and customs.