CURRICULAR COMPETENCIES & BIG IDEAS

Each course in the BC English curriculum helps students understand key ideas and build important skills.
  • Big Ideas are the main concepts you’ll explore in class.
  • Curricular Competencies are the skills you’ll practice through assignments and activities.
Each course has its own set of Big Ideas. To see what you’ll be learning in your specific course, check out the course page linked above.
Every year, students will also develop their skills with the English Curricular Competencies. These don’t change from year to year, but you’re expected to get better at using them in more thoughtful and advanced ways as you grow. ​These skills are described in more detail below.

​Comprehending and Connecting

You’ll build important skills that help you understand and respond to what you read, watch, and hear. These include:
  • Using strategies to understand and interpret different types of texts
  • Asking questions and finding information to answer them
  • Gathering and organizing information from different sources
  • Judging how trustworthy and useful a text is
  • Noticing how language, images, structure, and other text structures affect meaning and impact
  • Thinking critically, creatively, and reflectively to explore new ideas

Speaking and Listening

Throughout the year, you’ll strengthen your ability to express yourself and work with others through discussions, presentations and group work. You’ll learn to:
  • Speak and listen more effectively
  • Respond to texts in conversation with others
  • Share your ideas respectfully in group discussions
  • Support your opinions with clear evidence
  • Plan, create, and revise your writing and projects

Writing and Representing

English class will also help you grow as a writer and creator. You’ll learn how to:
  • Improve your writing skills through regular practice
  • Respond to different texts in both creative and thoughtful ways
  • Use MLA format to properly cite your sources
  • Share your opinions clearly and back them up with evidence
  • Plan, draft, and revise your work using writing and design strategies
  • Use correct Canadian spelling, grammar, and punctuation
  • Create original texts for different audiences and purposes