English

English Department

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The English Department recognizes its critical role in the education of the young men at Salesian High School. Given the weakness of many of our entering students in language skills, the department feels a great urgency to redress the imbalance between present student performance and future student need. There is an intricate and vital relationship between language and thought; mastery of the former can sharpen arid expand the latter. The department is committed to setting. high expectations for all students so that they might find success and develop a love for reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the English language

Apart from these. intellectual goals, the department is also aware of its opportunity and responsibility to reinforce the Catholic values of the school By selecting meaningful literature and encouraging class discussion, department members will help students grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.

THE GOALS OF THE DEPARTMENT

The English Department aims to:

1) increase the students understanding and command of the English language.

2) increase the student’s ability to think clearly through a careful reading and discussion of literature.

3) foster a love of communication, especially of reading, in students by selecting literature that is meaningful to their personal experiences.

4). expose the student to social, moral, and spiritual problems through reading, writing, and discussion.

Introduction to English Literature and Composition

The freshman level English course introduces students to high school level reading, writing, and literature. Students are immersed in the language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities. Through this immersion approach, students develop an appreciation for literature, expand their vocabularies, and improve writing skills and techniques.

American Literature and Composition

The focus of the American

literature course is on reading

and writing. Instructors spend

less time on direct grammar instruction than in lower level courses. Instead, instructors emphasize essay development and for mad literary analysis. Students begin to develop

their reading and writing skills necessary

for success in college

English Literature and Composition

The sophomore English course builds upon the skills and appreciations developed in the freshman year. Mastery of paragraph and essay writing skills are a focus of this course. In addition, students are expected to develop a more sophisticated ability to analyze and examine literature in discussion and writing.

British Literature and Composition

This course introduces students to the major writers and classic works of British literature. Instructors focus on further development of language skills necessary for college level work.