Curriculum by Department

PSG - English

The goal of the English program is to produce graduates who can speak and listen effectively, analyze literature with sophistication, write with forcefulness and precision, read with comprehension and insight, and apply their skills with creativity.  To these ends, a sequential program focused on language and literature has been devised to challenge students of English on a variety of levels.
 
There is a great emphasis on writing at every level whether it is creative writing, response writing or journal writing.  The analytical expository essay is a major goal of the program.  Mastery will enable students to write successful post-secondary undergraduate essays.  It is important to note that language skills develop cumulatively; often similar skills are stressed at every grade level, the object being to enhance sophistication of a specific technique so that the graduating student can be said to have mastered it.  Thus, the teaching of writing skills recurs at all levels.  However, the expectations and specific assignments grow increasingly sophisticated and challenging, moving, for example, from work on sentence unity, sentence variety, paragraph unity, and verb tense usage in Grade 8 to the smooth integration of quotations and the development of a concise and formal academic style in  Grades 9-12.
 
A similar evolution occurs in the study of literature.  Mastery at the lowest levels of such concepts as theme and character culminates in Grade 12 with the detailed analysis of individual texts and the application of a variety of critical approaches.  At all levels, the program stresses close reading and clear writing.  Language skills development follows the curriculum established by the BC Education Ministry.  At each grade level, the program is based on the general learning outcomes established by the provincial curriculum.

List of 2 items.

  • Co-curricular activities related to English

    Students who love English can join clubs that are strictly recreational or join groups with competitive opportunities. The following offer both enjoyment and challenge: the Wolfington Post online newspaper, yearbook club, philosophy club, ‘Poetry-in-Voice’, Debate, and/or Model UN.

  • Grade 10 and Honours courses

    Grade 10 and 11 Honours courses are designed as a pathway to two AP English courses:  AP English Language and  AP Literature.  The Language course focuses on non-fiction, such as political and philosophical essays, while the Literature course focuses on fiction, including poetry, novels, and plays.  Some universities give credit for a maximum of one such course; students wishing to take both should check each university’s AP English credit policy.   Students earning marks of “High Proficient” in most skills competencies  in Literary Studies 11 qualify for enrollment in AP English.  Students who do not meet that standard may be permitted to enroll in AP English at the discretion of the department.  Factors that will be considered in such decisions may include final exam results in Literary Studies 11. Students gain credit for English Studies 12 within each of these courses.  In May, they can write the College Board Exam at a cost of $153.    

List of 5 items.

Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

List of 3 items.

West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750