English Language Arts (High School)

High school students will move through the high school English Language Arts curriculum at a pace dependent on their academic grade level and language proficiency level. Those for whom English is a second language will first take the ESL courses in the English Language Program, but most students entering high school in 9th grade will start with English Language Arts 100 and proceed as follows:

English Language Arts 201/202

ELA 201/202 is usually offered to high school students in grade 9. In this course, students hone their academic writing skills and gain skills in developing analytical and evaluative thinking. In particular, students practice responding to literature through the development of comparative, persuasive, and expository essay writing. Students apply knowledge of figurative language to analyze author purpose, theme, and plot. Students are also expected to write a short story and poems. Students review basic parts of speech and writing mechanics while moving into more complex verb forms, parallel structure, sentence revision, and clauses and phrases. Students study classical literature across the genres of poetry, short story, play, and novel. They also read and evaluate non-fiction texts.

English Language Arts 301/302

The ELA 301/302 course is generally for high school students in grade 10. In this course, the student focuses on effective expression through the study of classic American, British, and world literature. The student will gain the confidence, know-how, and ability to prepare and deliver an effective message in a variety of ways for different audiences. Students learn how to conduct an interview, use visual aids during a speech, and give a speech on an academic topic. Emphasis is also placed on refining listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing skills.

English Language Arts 401A/402A

ELA 401A/402A is geared toward high school students in 11th grade.  The course focuses on literary appreciation and the expository essay. Representative American and British literary works will be selected with a focus on the classics and writings on noteworthy historical figures and events. Students may also read English translations of famous Chinese literary works. The course includes an introduction to poetry with a survey of various styles and approaches employed by poets. In this course, students continue to refine their reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on addressing any bad habits they may have developed in their writing so that they may build control and mastery of the language and express themselves with sophistication. This course also prepares students to take the PSAT.

English Language Arts 401B/402B

ELA 401B/402B is geared toward high school students in 12th grade. Students will study major works of British literature from the Middle Ages to the Modern era. With an emphasis on Shakespeare, classic essays, and lyric poetry, students will read selections in different genres and apply a variety of reading strategies, particularly literary comprehension, appropriate for reading each selection. Students will analyze literary elements, use a variety of strategies to build vocabulary, learn elements of grammar, usage, and style, and use recursive writing processes to write in a variety of forms. ELA 401B/402B also prepares students for the SAT Subject test in Literature.

Advanced Education: English Language Arts 501/502  (AP English Language and Composition)

ELA 501/502 is an advanced course open to students who have successfully completed ELA 401/402 and/or 403/404. The purpose of the course is to prepare students to “write effectively and confidently in their college courses across the curriculum and in their professional and personal lives.” The course is organized into mastering four skills: essay writing, reading comprehension, competency in grammar, and mastery in vocabulary. The course is organized according to the requirements and guidelines of AP English Language, and therefore, students are expected to read critically, think analytically, and communicate clearly both in writing and speech. Students read classic essays, speeches, and other texts.