Not because of lofty ideals of cultural capital, the creation of empathy, intellectualism or broadening of minds. No, because we teach the most important skill of all: Communication.
English continues to be the most important subject in the school. Not because of lofty ideals of cultural capital, the creation of empathy, intellectualism or broadening of minds. No, because we teach the most important skill of all: Communication.
In a hyper-connected world students need to understand the ways in which we communicate and be effective communicators themselves in a variety of modes. Therefore, we study the receiving and creation of spoken, visual and written communication. Good communication skills are often spoken of as vitally important in the brave new world of work that our students will be venturing into.
This subject is not important because it will lead to a specific job (like English Teacher) but because it underpins all areas of one’s life, both privately and at work. At school this means that the skills acquired and honed in English will be transferable to all subjects.
The English Department’s focus is: To help students be critical thinkers, to give students choice to foster initiative, to create students who are capable communicators, to develop empathy in our students, and most importantly to help mould interesting people – people who have interests and thoughts that are bigger than themselves and not limited to the job they have.
Junior English provides valuable skills for life, with an emphasis on encouraging independent, personal reading and opportunities to practise writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. In addition, we are also focussed on preparing students for Year 11, 12 & 13 English and beyond.
Otamatea places an importance on the subject of English. As such it is compulsory for Year 11 students to take English as part of their course of study. Senior English is centred around the study of the ways in which we communicate as a society by looking at issues and contexts that reflect and expand a student’s worldview.
Reading continues to be a focus of the English Department. Good reading habits create students that are eloquent, empathetic, able to be understood, broad minded, and able to create considered and original thought.
Literacy is an ongoing concern and focus of attention of the English Department. Good literacy ability in students allows them to flourish in academia and beyond.