CURRICULAR COMPETENCIES & BIG IDEAS
Each course in the BC English curriculum helps students develop their understanding of several Big Ideas (what you should understand based on the material we cover in class) and Curricular Competencies (the skill sets you will develop as you complete course assignments). The Big Ideas are slightly different for each course. To learn more about the Big Ideas that you will explore in your English course, please see the specific course page (linked above).
Every year, students will also develop their skills with the English Curricular Competencies. These skill sets remain the same each year, but students are expected to become more sophisticated in their understanding and application of these skills over time.
These skill sets are described in more detail below.
These skill sets are described in more detail below.
SKILL SET 1: Comprehend and Connect
Students will learn to:
- Choose appropriate strategies for understanding and interpreting different types of text
- Ask questions and gather information to answer them
- Collect, organize and interpret information from multiple sources
- Evaluate the relevance, accuracy and reliability of texts
- Recognize and appreciate how different aspects of text can enhance their meaning and shape their impact on others
- Think critically, creatively and reflectively to explore new ideas
SKILL SET 2: Create and Communicate
Students will learn to:
- Develop their speaking, listening and writing skills
- Respond to different types of texts in creative and critical ways
- Respectfully discuss their ideas with others
- Cite sources in MLA format
- Express and support an opinion with evidence
- Use writing and design processes to plan, develop, create and revise their work
- Use proper Canadian spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Create their own original texts for a variety of audiences and purposes
