English Club

Every Thursday lunchtime, with Miss Reilly.
Aloha Armadale! is 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. Aloha Armadale! 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, Miss Reilly 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.

Public Speaking
The English Department-for the second year running- will field a team of First to Third year students to attend the Rotary Club of Bathgate Public Speaking Competition in March 2011

Theatre trip to London

40 pupils visited London for a three day theatre break from 5-7th June 2010 with Miss Morton, Mrs Easter, Mr Sharkey and Mr Boyle. A performance of the hit musical ‘Wicked’ was attended followed by an entertaining theatre workshop which allowed pupils –and staff – the opportunity to explore their theatrical and creative talents. After several hours of shopping heaven, pupils explored some of the sights of London, including a rare visit to Downing Street – much to everyone’s delight.
The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all and the pupils were a credit to the Academy for their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm at all times.

Theatre Trips

A View from the Bridge

On the 17th November 2010 the English Department organised a trip to an evening performance of Arthur Miller’s powerful classic, ‘A View from the Bridge’. It was a very enjoyable performance from the Leitheatre Company and most students found it to be very helpful in their understanding of the play. Well done to everyone who came along for representing the school in a responsible fashion!

Pupils from S6 saw another outstanding performance of Arthur Miller’s moving play ‘A View from the Bridge’. This took place on Tuesday 18th January at the Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh. This is a text studied by many of our senior pupils and seeing it brought to life on stage is an opportunity not to be missed. A really good night was had by all.

Write On! Conference

Creative Writing Conference
On 16th September, ten S4 pupils attended a creative writing conference at Howden Park Centre accompanied by Miss Morton and Dr. Carter. 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.

Shakespeare Festival

Some Third year students from Armadale Academy took part in the recent Shakespeare Festival at Howden Park on Thursday 10th February

Prologue to Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare – Armadale Academy

Directors: Anne Marie Docherty, Mairi Easter; Catherine Morley
Original music composed by John MacKinnon Technical Assistant- Lee Moffat, Alannah Gray

This opening speech by the Chorus serves as an introduction to Romeo and Juliet. We are provided with information about where the play takes place, and given some background information about its principal characters.
The obvious function of the Prologue is to serve as an introduction to the Verona of Romeo and Juliet. The Prologue does not merely set the scene of Romeo and Juliet, it tells the audience exactly what is going to happen in the play. The Prologue refers to an ill-fated couple with its use of the word “star-crossed” providing the audience with the knowledge that Romeo and Juliet will die even before the play has begun. The audience therefore watches the play with the expectation that it must fulfill the terms set in the Prologue.

Ensemble:
N Nicholson 3W1
C Davies 3C 1
W Dlugosz 3C1
P Howie 3w1
A Gray 3C2
L Moffat 3H2
K Kenyon 3H1
L Macrae 3H1

S1 Author Visit

On 23rd November, storyteller, Stuart McHardy, visited the Academy as part of the S1 “Scotland” unit. All pupils in S1 attended a two hour session in the library where they listened to ballads and Viking stories. Pupils participated in tongue twister exercises and learned how to create their own stories and share their ideas. A good day was had by all and pupils are commended for their good behaviour and participation.
S2 Creative writing

Replies to ‘A Red Red Rose’ by Robert Burns

Ma love is like a muckle auld tattie
that’s planted in the mud.
Nae sweet melody fur you ya fattie,
yer like a heffer chewin’ the cud!

As fat art thou ma beefy lass
ma love’s no enough tae fill ye.
On yer sentiments ah’ll hae tae pass
I wish the seas would droon ye!

Till a’ the seas gang dry ye say?
Ah’m afraid yer luck’s no in wae me the day!
And ah’ll nivver love thee still ma dear,
ah’d rather go doon the pub fur a beer!

See ye efter ye slushy tube.
Ye smell like a oot o’ date Frube!
Dinnae bother yersel wi the ten thoosan mile
coz really ah hink yer pretty vile.

By J Sinclair, K Taylor and K Steele

Ur ma chops aw rid that ah’m like a flooer?
Yer patter, pal, is pretty sooer.
Ah ken yer trying tae keep me happy
but ah hink yer really jist a chancer wee chappy!

An cryin me a bonnie lass?
Of ma beauty ma pals are no green as grass!
Love me aw ye like ma petal,
ah’ll consider a kiss if ah’m in fine fettle.

Till a’ the seas gang dry ma dear?
Yer jibberin oan is aw ah hear!
Nivver mind yeh’ll love me still,
from ma love ah’d like mare o’ a thrill!

Cheerio, it’s a shame yer leavin
but a huv tae say yeh’ll no see me greetin!
Keep on gone the ten thoosan mile.
Tae see the back o’ you gies me a smile!

By Courtney, Kayleigh and Iona

Yer telling me ah’m like a flooer?
Yer poetry is very poor.
Hey listen mate ye need a shooer.
Get a grip! Yer immature.

Ma bonnie lass? Ah hink ah’ll pass.
Yer a wee bit smelly- probably gas!
Ah’ve said naw, noo nae mare snash,
come near me again ah’ll gie yi a bash

Till a the seas gang dry
Goan munch oan a big pie.
Yer obviously no shy.
Ah'll happily say goodbye.

The sands o’ life shall run?
Ye must weigh a tonne!
Yer heavier than the sun.
There noo, that’s me done.

By A Easton, R Sykes and G Bell

Study Support

Study Support is an extremely valuable opportunity to get help to prepare for your exams! Study Support takes place every week at 3:30 pm on Tuesdays with:
- Miss Reilly and Mrs Docherty (Standard Grade) on Tuesdays
- Miss Morton (Intermediate 2)
- Mrs Easter and Mrs Skelton (Higher)

Higher English Masterclass

The authority is running a programme for Masterclasses in Higher English as follows:
- Weekly tutorials will take place on Friday afternoons at both Whitburn Academy and James Young High school.
- Students are expected to make their own way there.
- These tutorials begin on Friday 21st January and we highly recommend that your son/daughter attend as this provides a valuable opportunity to improve grades.

Final Day Masterclass

This year’s Final Day Masterclass will take place on Saturday 7th May at Armadale Academy. This is a full day event (09:00-15:30) and once again this provides a valuable opportunity for all pupils to improve their performance in the Higher English exam.

Anyone wishing attend any of these events must email Mrs Susan Comrie at susan.comrie @wled.org.uk. Places are limited so please email as soon as possible.

Revision Websites

Try one of the websites below! You will find some interesting and interactive ways of revising English for your exams
• Standard Grade: http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=S
• Intermediate1 : http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=Int1
• Intermediate 2: http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=Int2
• 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

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

Curriculum for Excellence (S1)
In S1, our course strives to develop pupils’ listening, talking, reading and writing skills as well as establish cross-curricular connections. The S1 course is divided into three main themes:
• Relationships
• Scotland
• Prejudice

‘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.’
S2-S4 Courses
Click to jump to the relevant section:

Standard Grade
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 2
Higher
Advanced Higher

Standard Grade

Levels: Foundation, General and Credit
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AIMS
To develop competence in language and, to the highest possible level, the skills
associated with listening. Talking, reading and writing. The course also seeks to enrich the lives of pupils and contribute towards their personal and social growth.

Most pupils will study Standard Grade English, others Access 3 or Intermediate 1.

CONTENT
The students will :
o develop writing skills
o analyse literature - novels, plays, poetry
o develop close reading skills
o study media
o take part in group discussions and give individual talks.
ASSESSMENT

Standard Grade
Internal Assessment-Folio work and Group Talk70%
External Assessment-Reading and Writing Examination30%

Access 3
Access 3 is based solely on internal assessments in Reading and Writing.

S5/6 Courses

Intermediate 1

Entry requirements: Standard grade English grade 4, 5 or 6
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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 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 and Critical Essay)
- 2 folio pieces

Intermediate 2

Entry requirements: Standard grade English grade 2, 3 or 4
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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 and Critical Essay)
- 2 folio pieces
Note Pupils who fail to pass the Internal Assessments or who fail to achieve the required standard in the prelim examination will be presented at Intermediate 1.

Higher

Entry requirements: Standard grade English grade 1 or 2/ Intermediate 2 Grade B or above
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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 and Critical Essay)
- 2 folio pieces
Note:

Pupils who fail to pass the required assessments, or who fail to achieve the required standard in the Prelim exam will be presented at Intermediate 2.

Advanced Higher

Entry requirements: Higher pass of Grade A or B
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COURSE CONTENT:

There are three elements of the Advanced Higher Course, the first two are mandatory.

1.Specialist Study
Study of an aspect of literature or language. This is an independent study.

2.Literary Study
Study in depth of a wide range of writers.

3.A choice from Textual Analysis; Creative Writing; Language Study and Reading the Media.

METHODOLOGY

There will be some class lessons in the form of lectures and seminars, in order to approximate the style of higher education. Individual tutorials will also take place. Much of the course will take the form of independent study. This would especially be the case for the Specialist Study.

The course will naturally include a substantial amount of reading.

This course would be most suited to those intending to do language or literature in some form at University - but not those simply planning to study English. It would be of value to all planning Arts courses, Law, Journalism etc.

ASSESSMENT

1.Specialist Study - 4000 words (folio)

2.Literary Study - external examination.

3.Dependent on choice : folio or external examination.
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