Senior English

Teaching English is an increasingly complex task in a world where students engage with a wide variety of information and communication technologies. Encouraging students to read texts from cultures and contexts outside of their own experience, or supporting them to write more deeply in different modes while developing critical skills of discernment presents an exciting challenge for any English teacher. The CON 771 Senior English course begins by asking you to reflect on the subject of English and the role of the teacher. The course content considers the strands from the English curriculum (for Grades 11–12) and explores theories and issues that underpin those strands. At the end of the course, you will bring together theory and practice in culminating activities designed to prepare you for teaching Senior English. In addition to the five thematic modules (introduction, language, reading, writing, media studies), at the core of Senior English 771 is engagement in work that will deepen your professional expertise in areas such as exceptionalities, learning theories, and assessment. Throughout, you will be reading scholarly articles and reviewing excerpts from Bridging English (Fifth Edition) by Milner, Milner, and Mitchell. These course readings offer a blend of theory and practice to support you in your future work as a Senior English teacher. Central to this course is an emphasis on online collaborative learning. Collaboration and community will be developed through asynchronous and synchronous discussions. Another key component will be your personal and professional growth through self-reflection. In this course you will have the opportunity to: analyze current research and initiatives in the teaching of Senior English apply specific curriculum requirements for Senior English in Ontario evaluate information and communication technologies used in the teaching of English assess the four curriculum strands for Grades 11 and 12 review oral communication, reading and literature studies, writing, media studies, literary theories, learning theories, equity and inclusion, and assessment and evaluation practices