English
English
Staff members of the English Department 2012/2013:
Miss M. Lafitte (Principal Teacher Curriculum English/ Modern Languages)
Miss L. Brown (Teacher of English)
Mrs AM Docherty (Teacher of English)
Mrs M. Easter (Teacher of English)
Mrs L. Gordon (Teacher of English)
Mrs C. Hunter (Teacher of English)
Miss J. Morton (Teacher of English)
Mrs E. Reid (Teacher of English)
Mrs A. Skelton (Teacher of English and Expressive Arts)
Mrs F. Wilks (Teacher of English)
English Club 
Armadale Academy 's own magazine run by a selection of S1 and S2 journalists. It keeps the student body up to date with events happening around the school as well as fashion pages, horoscopes and recipes. Our magazine has something for everyone and is published every term.
Debating Club
Each term Armadale Academy offers lunchtime debating in the library which is organised by Mrs. Docherty and Dr.Carter.
Students debate across the year groups on a variety of topical affairs. Debating gives students invaluable skills in research. It promotes their self esteem and encourages them to defend their positions on current affairs in school. It provides a friendly forum to meet up with students across the year groups at lunchtimes. It is good fun!
In the spring term First and Second years can volunteer to take part in the inter secondary school Debating competition West Lothian Speaks in May.
Throughout each term all years can involve themselves in the Model United Nations simulation where they role play a delegate from different countries; write position statements on a variety of issues ranging from Human Rights, Health, the Economy and the Environment. They write up position statements and put their points across in a mock General Assembly Debate. Again this provides a place for all year groups to meet up and to chat. Seniors are very good at supporting new members.
In the summer term there is an opportunity to visit other schools in West Lothian to take part in a West Lothian MUN event.
Theatre Trips
“Blood Brothers”
On the 23rd November 2011 the English Department organised a trip to an evening performance of “Blood Brothers” – the musical adaptation of Willie Russell's powerful play. It was a very enjoyable performance and our S.3- S.5 students found it to be very helpful in their understanding of the play. Miss Morton, Mrs Ralston, Miss Paul, Ms Sabri and Mrs Wilks accompanied the trip and were impressed by the responsible behaviour of the all of the pupils involved and by their mature response to the play.
“Lord of the Flies”
In October 2011, Mrs Gordon and Mrs Easter accompanied a group of S.3 and S.4 students to see the dramatisation of William Golding's outstanding novel, “Lord of the Flies”. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance and found it helpful to their understanding of the central concerns of the novel.
“Of Mice and Men”
In February 2012, a group of S.3 and S.4 pupils attended a performance of “Of Mice and Men” - the emotional play based on John Steinbeck's novel. Mrs Skelton, Mrs Ralston, Mr Cameron and Mrs Easter accompanied this evening performance and all of the pupils found it to be worthwhile to their studies.
“Aladdin”
As a result of all of their hard work and effort in their first term in Armadale Academy, all S.1 pupils were treated to a performance of the pantomime “Aladdin”. The performance took place in December 2011 at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston. Several members of staff attended the performance and each one was impressed by the outstanding behaviour of the pupils involved.
Write On! Conference
Creative Writing Conference
In September 2011, ten S4 pupils attended a creative writing conference at Howden Park Centre accompanied by Mrs Reid. Pupils were divided into groups with pupils from across the County and attended workshops with a selection of fantastic authors, poets and playwrights. In each workshop, strategies on how to approach creative writing were given and pupils had the opportunity to create and share their work. The pupils' contribution and behaviour on the day was super and they should be praised for their efforts. The Department will take part in this year's Write On! Conference, which will take part on Thursday the 13 th September. Anyone who is interested in attending should speak to Mrs Wilks.
Study Support
Study Support is an extremely valuable opportunity to get help to prepare for your exams! Study Support takes place every week, beginning in September, for eaxh level of qualification. Days have yet to be confirmed for Session 2013/2014.
Revision Websites
Try one of the websites below! You will find some interesting and interactive ways of revising English for your exams
http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=S
• Higher: http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=H
• Advanced Higher: http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=AH
Revision files
General revision:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/knowledgeoflanguage/english/index.asp
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/knowledgeoflanguage/scots/index.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/
The curriculum
‘Literacy is fundamental to all areas of learning, as it unlocks access to the wider curriculum. Being literate increases opportunities for the individual in all aspects of life, lays the foundations for lifelong learning and work, and contributes strongly to the development of all four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence.' (English principles and practice paper)
‘The languages, dialects and literature of Scotland provide a rich resource for children and young people to learn about Scotland 's culture, identity and language. Through engaging with a wide range of texts they will develop an appreciation of Scotland 's vibrant literary and linguistic heritage and its indigenous languages and dialects.'
Curriculum for Excellence (S.1 – S.3)
Our courses from S.1 to S.3 strive to develop pupils' Reading , Writing, Listening and Talking skills as well as establish strong cross-curricular connections. The Curriculum for Excellence courses allow the pupils to study a wide variety of texts and complete a diverse range of challenging and enjoyable activties, making them Confident Individuals, Successful Learners, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors.
Teachers in the Department will help our pupils to develop skills in Reading , Writing, Listening and Talk through the following activities:
Reading Close Reading , including:
Reading non-fiction texts, such as newspapers and magazines. Reading for enjoyment (S.1 and S.2 pupils will take part in a Reading Record Reward Scheme, which will encourage them to engage in more private reading). Dictionary Work. Note-taking exercises in preparartion for Writing and Talking activities. |
Writing Critical Essay (based on the major text studied by the pupils) Personal essay Creative writing Discursive/Persuasive writing Diary entry Newspaper report Advertising Information or Media poster |
Listening News reports Group discussion Peer assessment
|
Talk Solo talk Group discussion Paired discussion Debate Presentation Some of the Talking activities will be videoed for assessment and moderation purposes. |
The Senior Phase
SUBJECT: English
LEVEL: National 3
CURRICULAR AREA: Languages and Literacy
Students' levels will be based on the outcome of the S3 exam, the coursework in the Record of Achievement and professional judgement of the class teacher.
COURSE CONTENT
This Course is made up of three Units. The three Units include the four language skills of listening, talking, reading and writing.
English: Understanding Language
Students will develop listening and reading skills in the contexts of literature, language and media. They will develop the skills needed to understand, analyse and evaluate simple texts.
English: Producing Language
Students will develop talking and writing skills in familiar contexts. They will also develop the skills needed to produce simple texts in both written and oral forms.
Literacy (National 3)
The purpose of this Unit is to develop the students' reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a variety of forms relevant for learning, life and work. Students will develop the ability to understand simple ideas and information presented orally and in writing. They will also develop the ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing with technical accuracy.
METHODOLOGY
• Class teaching and group discussion
• Active learning
• Self and peer evaluation
ASSESSMENT
To achieve the National 3 English Course, learners must pass all of the required Units.
This course is not graded andall coursework will be internally assessed. Reading , Listening, Talking and Writing will be assessed.
Unit 1:
• Produce simple written texts
• Take part in simple spoken interactions
Unit 2:
• Understand, analyse and evaluate simple written texts
• Understand, analyse and evaluate simple spoken language
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
LEVEL: National 4
CURRICULAR AREA: Languages and Literacy
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• For S3 students : Students' levels will be based on the outcome of the S3 exam, the coursework in the Record of Achievement and professional judgement of the class teacher.
• For S4 students : A Standard Grade 4.
COURSE CONTENT
Unit 1: Analysis and Evaluation – Close and Critical Reading of a variety of texts. There will also be some Listening tasks.
Unit 2: Creation and Production – Pupils will be expected to create and produce texts in both written and oral forms.
Unit 3: Literacy – pupils will develop reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a variety of forms relevant for learning, life and work. Learners will also develop the ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing with technical accuracy.
Added Value Unit : Pupils will be given the opportunity to develop their language skills in the production of an extended piece of writing.
METHODOLOGY
• Class teaching and group discussion
• Use of active learning
• Self and peer evaluation
ASSESSMENT
All coursework will be internally assessed, which will include elements of:
• Close Reading assessment
• Extended Writing
• Solo talk and group discussion
• Response to listening and media
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
LEVEL: National 5
CURRICULAR AREA: Languages and Literacy
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• For S3 students : Students' levels will be based on the outcome of the S3 exam, the coursework in their Record of Achievement folder and the professional judgement of their class teacher.
• For S4 students :
• Grade 3 at Standard Grade with a 3 in Reading or above
• Intermediate 2 English at grade 5
COURSE CONTENT
Unit 1: Analysis and Evaluation – Close and Critical Reading of a variety of texts. There will also be some Listening tasks.
Unit 2: Creation and Production – Pupils will be expected to create and produce texts in both written and oral forms.
Unit 3: Literacy – pupils will develop reading, writing, listening and talking skills in a variety of forms relevant for learning, life and work. Learners will also develop the ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing with technical accuracy.
METHODOLOGY
• Class teaching and group discussion
• Use of active learning
• Self and peer evaluation
ASSESSMENT
Section 1: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation
One non-fiction text will be presented. Questions on the text will be answered to demonstrate understanding, analysis and evaluation. Questions will be broader and more open and will include inference making and summarising questions.
Section 2: Critical Reading
This section has two parts. In each part, one question will be chosen from a range of questions set to cover the genres of drama, prose, poetry, film and TV drama, or language. In each Part, learners must cover a different genre in two different texts. This
Part A: Critical Essay. Learners will answer one question from a range of questions. Learners will provide an extended written response, based on a previously studied text.
Part B: Scottish Texts. Learners will answer one question from a range of questions, based on a list of specified Scottish texts. One extract from a previously studied specified Scottish text will be selected. The external assessment of prescribed Scottish texts is a new method of assessment for this subject.
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
LEVEL: HIGHER
CURRICULAR AREA: Languages and Literacy
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Grade 1 or 2 at Standard grade English with at least a grade 2 in reading
• Intermediate 2 English at Grade B or above
COURSE CONTENT
Unit 1 Language Study - understand, analyse and evaluate non-fiction prose text which
conveys complex information. Compose a piece of writing in a particular genre.
Unit 2 Literary Study - Respond critically to imaginative texts, including unseen texts.
METHODOLOGY
Class teaching and group discussion. At least one third of the course will be based on
individual, independent research.
ASSESSMENT
Internal Assessment - All Unit Assessments must be passed if a student is to be presented for the final examination.
Examination - 2 papers. Close Reading assessment and two critical essays based on different texts studied in class.
Folio: two pieces of writing to be completed. They represent 20% of the overall mark and are sent to the SQA.
• One personal or imaginative writing
• One persuasive writing