In English, we have a focus on fostering the love and appreciation for language. One of the key ways we develop this is through reading, listening and writing. The more we read, the more we improve as speakers and writers. Ultimately, our words are key to how we think and behave, and how others see us. English, and the words we choose in our life, shape who we are and who we continue to become.
Why does English matter?
English is a subject that every student will need to be successful in life, whether students are planning to have a university pathway or enter the workforce.
For all students who are on an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) pathway, they must gain a pass in an English subject to qualify for an ATAR.
Many mainstream universities have prerequisites for a pass in General English or Literature for nearly every degree. It is important that students are aware of these matters when they make the important choice of which English subject to study.
For students entering the workforce, English is just as important. The workforce expects students to be able to communicate effectively in a range of modes: both verbally and written. Employers want employees to be able to communicate verbally for interviews, with customers and to fellow employees.
Important Information re: English Spoken Assessment
Unlike many other subjects, spoken tasks in English cannot receive a result based only a script. The assessment must be spoken and submitted on time. Generally, students can choose whether they present Spoken Assessments to a live audience or prerecord on a USB. The USB must have the file saved properly to qualify for this kind of submission. If it has not been saved correctly, students will have to present live on that due date.
English Drafting Policy
A draft is a response that is nearly good enough to submit for assessment – it is likely to be the students' second or third attempt at the task. The draft needs to be 100% of task length, and submitted by the draft date deadline, to gain individual teacher feedback. The date and manner of draft submission are determined by the class teacher. Drafts will receive feedback about the task and genre's strengths and weaknesses, rather than any editing. All students receive whole class feedback in class. It is the students' responsibility to ensure they understand and apply all of the feedback to improve.
Extra-Curricular in English
- Shake & Stir Theatre performance Romeo and Juliet
- Debating Competitions
- Voices on the Coast
- Rostrum Voice of Youth
- Brisbane Writers Festival
- Year 11 Literature Camp
- International Literature Tour (UK and France)
- QPAC Theatre Visits (where suitable)
- Readers Cup
- USC Creative Writer's Excellence Program
Career pathways:
English is an important and valuable subject regardless of your future goals. At university, a degree in English hones critical thinking skills essential to a number of careers fields including: writing, publishing, business communication, teaching, research, copywriter, media and journalism, advertising, legal sector, public relations, business, accounting and finance, sociologist, writer, editor, film and television industry, management, court recorder, law clerk, social media marketer or sales and the retail industry.
Head of Department
Cooroy Campus - Alarna Priestley - aprie29@eq.edu.au
Pomona Campus - Lyndel Zagami - lzaga1@eq.edu.au