English Extension
Year 11 English Extension: 1 unit
Year 12 English Extension 1: 1 unit
Year 12 English Extension 2: 1 unit
Course Summary
Year 11 English Extension and Year 12 English Extension 1
The English Extension (referred to as English Extension in Year 11, and English Extension 1 in Year 12) course provides students who are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to extend their use of language and self-expression in creative and critical ways. Through engaging with increasingly complex concepts through a broad range of literature, from a range of contexts, they refine their understanding and appreciation of the cultural roles and the significance of texts. Students have the opportunity to pursue areas of interest with increased independence and to theorise about the processes of responding to and composing texts. Students learn about research methodology to enable them to undertake extensive investigation used to develop extended compositions. Students explore and evaluate multiple meanings and relative values of texts. They engage with complex texts that intellectually challenge them to think creatively and critically about the way that literature shapes and reflects the global world. The course is designed for students with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue specialised study of English (taken from NESA, 'Rational for English Extension' in Stage 6 Curriculum).
Year 12 English Extension 2
This course is designed for students who are independent learners with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue specialised study of English. It enables students who are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to craft language and refine their personal voice in critical and creative ways. They create a substantial and original Major Work. Through the creative process they pursue areas of interest independently, develop deep knowledge and manipulate language in their own extended compositions. Through the experimentation with and exploration of form, style and media students express complex concepts and values in innovative, insightful and powerful ways. The creative process involves the exploration and expression of complex human experiences, and connects individuals to wider visions and perspectives. This course provides students with the opportunity to apply and extend research skills to their own extensive investigation and develop autonomy and skills as a learner and composer (taken from NESA, 'Rationale for English Extension 2' in Stage 6 Curriculum).
Students undertake independent investigation to develop a sustained composition and document this process in their Major Work Journal and Reflection Statement. The product of this course is a Major Work text.
How do the Extension Courses Relate to the 2-Unit English Courses?
English Advanced is a prerequisite to the study of the English Extension courses.
The Year 11 English Extension Course is separate to English Advanced, with its own texts, modules and concepts that build upon English Advanced. In Year 12, students who are undertaking English Advanced (2 units) and English Extension 1 (1 unit) can choose to undertake an additional English course, English Extension 2 (1 unit).
HSC Examinations for Extension Courses
In Year 12, English Extension 1 students sit ONE external HSC Examination (in addition to Paper 1 and Paper 2 for English Advanced). The English Extension 1 Paper is 2 hours and consists of 2 sections.
There is no external HSC Examination for English Extension 2; however, the Major Work and Major Work Journal is submitted for external assessment, according to timeframes provided by NESA. Students undertaking English Extension 2 will still sit the external HSC Examinations for English Advanced and English Extension 1.
What, if any, skills are needed?
- Year 10 English with results of 75% and above
- strength in the skills listed for English Advanced, and a capacity to cope with additional English coursework
- high levels of motivation and the ability to work autonomously
- willingness to craft work, commitment to the drafting process, and openness to constructive feedback
- ability to engage in wide extended reading, including rigorous independent research of challenging texts and theories
- awareness and appreciation of the diversity of ideas, attitudes and perspectives evident in texts along with an understanding of how texts construct worlds that can offer new insights.
Course Modules
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English Extension (1 unit)
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English Extension 1 (1 unit)
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Module: Texts, Culture and Value
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Common Module: Literary Worlds
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Independent Research Project
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Elective Module: Literary Homelands
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English Extension 2 (1 unit)
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The Composition Process, including Viva Voce, Literature Review and Critique of Process
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Major Work
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The Major Work Journal
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Reflection Statement
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Learning Experiences
- Study days
- Plays, as appropriate and available
- Author talks
Novels, Texts, Podcasts & Films
Year 11
Year 12
Career Options
English Extension 1 is designed for students with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue a specialised study of English.
English Extension 2 is designed for students who are independent learners with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue a specialised study of English.
In addition, students who undertake the Extension English courses would be suited to careers that involve critical and creative thinking, research and/or peer review processes, and sustained writing.