Communications 11

 

The course will involve instruction in basic reading and writing skills. An additional focus will be on basic concepts in literature. Students will be encouraged to read short stories and novels. They will also be encouraged to practice their public speaking. Oral presentations will be required throughout the term. Communications 11 will lead to Communications 12 and will fulfill graduation requirements for English.

 

Communications 12

 

This course is for students who wish to master the fundamentals of English without literature. Emphasis is on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Common useful written communications such as notes, letters, job applications, etc., will be the focus of writing. Everyday English, such as that found in newspapers and magazines will be the focus of reading. Students will also study reading selections from a variety of sources.

 

Comparative Civilizations 12

 

In this course, students will study some of the events in history which have helped to shape civilization in the Western world. Rather than looking at a series of dates and specific events, the focus of the course will be on the art of different eras. An examination of sculpture, painting, architecture, literature and music will provide an overview of different beliefs and ideologies which have helped to define Western society.

 

English 10

 

This course covers the following areas of study: poetry, literature, (short story and novel study), grammar and writing. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with particular emphasis on the former two. Active participation is expected. To be eligible for this course, students must have successfully completed Advanced Writing or demonstrate English language competence of an acceptable level.

 

English 11

 

This course places emphasis on appreciation of literature and the development of language skills and deals with a variety of topical themes. Selections from the press, magazines, film, video tapes and supplementary literary works are used to enrich the core curriculum and stimulate the intellectual and creative growth of the student. The course also covers a review of punctuation, writing and grammar skills.

 

English 12

 

English 12 is a comprehensive writing and literature course which prepares students for the English 12 Government Exam and focuses on the study of the modern short story, poetry, and the modern novel. Assignments include narrative, descriptive and expository compositions. Students are also required to participate in at least one drama scene.

 

French 11 (Beginner)

 

This course will provide students with both oral and written experiences in the French language. Students will have the opportunity to both learn and experiment with the new language through a variety of activities such as skits, dialogues and other interactive activities. The course will be organized around language functions and vocabulary groups that are essential to communication at the beginner level.

 

Geography 12

 

Geography 12 is divided into four parts. In Focus One students will study environments and people by asking: What is geography? What is an environment? What is the role of the individual in the world? In Focus Two students will study physical and biological processes of the world. Topics include the earth's atmosphere (weather, climate), biosphere (vegetation, soil, ecosystems), land and water (volcanoes, glaciers, earthquakes, rivers, seas). In Focus Three students will study resources, distribution, value, management, and technology. In Focus Four students will study the role of the individual in his/her effort to prevent the mass destruction of resources and the environment.

 

History 12

 

In this course students will examine important forces, events, personalities, and institutions that shaped the 20th Century. Themes include nationalism, imperialism, internationalism, political philosophies and technology. Throughout the course, an underlying emphasis will be on the roles of the individual in history and in a changing society. By using critical thinking and problem solving skills, it is hoped that students will gain a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of the individual in a democratic society.

 

Mandarin Chinese 11

 

In this course students explore the Chinese language with emphasis on verbal communication and pronunciation using the pinyin system. The course covers pronunciation, meaning, and writing of the key Chinese characters (both the traditional and the simplified forms wherever applicable) in lessons 1 - 25 of the Practical Chinese Reader 1. It also includes the key sentence structures and Chinese grammar used in lessons 1 - 25 of the Practical Chinese Reader 1. Students will master some dialogues for everyday expression in accordance with the Curriculum Guide and study some aspects of Chinese culture.

 

Mandarin Chinese 12

 

The emphasis in this course is on reading and writing Mandarin Chinese. The course objectives are to master more complex dialogues, to become familiar with stroke order, components of Chinese character, multiple usages of selected characters, grammatical structures and the values and customs of Chinese culture.

 

Social Studies 10

 

Students will gain factual information regarding Canadian geography, history and government while developing writing skills and discussion skills which will enable them to competently express opinions and give reports on course content.

 

Social Studies 11

 

The course is divided into the study of geography, history and government as these disciplines relate to Canada.

 

• Geography includes the relationship between Canada and the world. Subjects include the global village, population and development, resources and urbanization.
• History includes the growth of Canada as a nation from Confederation to the present.
• Government includes selected political systems throughout the world, the Canadian parliamentary system, the Canadian electoral system and the Canadian constitution.

 

Writing ESL 11

 

This course provides a systematic development of writing skills through both guided writing and a variety of free compositions. Structural and functional use of English will be incorporated throughout and will be reinforced through reading, listening and speaking activities. Students will be expected to master the correct use of all tenses, compound and complex sentences, conditionals, gerunds and infinitives, complex punctuation, prepositional use and transition devices. The course may not be taken concurrently with English 11 as it is considered a prerequisite for English 11.