Prerequisite: Composition 11 or Literary Studies 11/12. Students in AP English Language & Composition 12 read from a wide range of fiction and nonfiction prose, as well as study alternative textual forms - including film and print media. The course is framed by classical rhetoric and explores the relationships between writers, audiences, and text, as well as how rhetorical language strategies contribute in greater or lesser degrees to persuasive effect. The course aims to illuminate intricately designed texts and to initiate writing of similar complexity, and the curriculum prepares students to write the AP exam in May. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student university credit at some institutions.

Prerequisite: Composition 11 or Literary Studies 11/12. In AP English Literature and Composition, students are expected to read widely and broadly in order to explore multiple perspectives and to experience the progression of literature, both prose and poetry, written in English from the 17th Century to the present. In this class, students deepen their close reading skills, learning to quickly detect tone through the analysis of style and voice. This close reading deepens students' abilities to think critically while helping them to develop voice in their own writing. In this seminar style course, students are responsible for coming to class ready to explore the complex themes of the literature under discussion.The curriculum prepares students to write the AP Literature and Composition exam in May. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student university credit at some institutions.

Prerequisite: Literary Studies 10, and either Spoken Language 10 or Creative Writing 10. The aim of Composition 11 is to provide multiple opportunities for students to consider audience and purpose. This is done through close reading and annotation of texts ranging from creative nonfiction, poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and drama. Compositional styles include personal essays, artist's statements, literary analysis paragraphs and essays, as well as spoken word and traditional poetry. Students are re-introduced to research techniques and are expected to read academic journals and select articles to support their writing and arguments. Having now achieved firm control over syntax and punctuation, students are introduced to modes of writing that focus distinctly on creating style and writing for a purpose. In order to develop and strengthen oral communication skills, students will continue to engage in Harkness discussions; students hone their critical thinking as well as their speaking and listening skills in this discussion model, particularly with regards to synthesis.

Prerequisite: English Language Arts 9. Creative Writing 10 caters to students with a passion for expressing themselves creatively through language. It offers students the chance to enhance their writing abilities by delving into the exploration of identity, diversity, power and conflict across various genres. In a community of writers, students collaborate and refine their skills through both the writing and design processes. The course purposefully incorporates a sampling of writing processes, encouraging students to creatively express themselves as they experiment, reflect, and practice their writing. The focus of creative writing spans both classical and contemporary genres, including poetry, short stories, and drama. This course carries a two-credit designation.

Prerequisite: Literary Studies 10 and either Spoken Language 10 or Creative Writing 10. Students must take a core English course concurrently with Creative Writing 11/12. Creative Writing is an elective course designed to guide students in an exploration of their creative self-expression. A variety of writing exercises not only assist students in generating works of poetry and prose but also promote the understanding of what makes a creative piece successful. Texts from a variety of genres are read and discussed on a regular basis, and students are expected to write periodic reflections on selected texts. Constructive criticism is encouraged through peer-revision and workshop discussions. Students who choose to take Creative Writing 11/12 should consider some of the underlying assumptions of this course: Writing is an imperfect, ongoing process; Students will engage in process work and self-reflection to improve their writing; Students will engage in writing workshops to gain insights from their peers, and contribute their own insights to their peers; Students will share their writing with others, sometimes out loud. Students’ reflection and process work will account for part of their grade.

Prerequisite: Composition 11. This course replaces English Studies 12. English First Peoples 12 is designed to support students in the entrance requirements for the full range of post-secondary educational programs while introducing them to First Peoplesâ personal and global issues, dynamic and diverse culture, and creative expression and style. Similar to English 12, this course focuses on the important skills of independent research, synthesis, collaboration, and reflection, all through rigorous academic standards; however, this course is different from English 12 in that students will be studying the texts of authentic First Peoplesâ voices exclusively, experiencing through First Peoplesâ principles of learning, and focusing on First Peoplesâ storytelling techniques as a priority. Themes will include the importance of Transformation & The Trickster in First Peoples Literature, the importance of Interconnectedness In Indigenous Culture, and the importance of Healing and Resilience through Indigenous Journeys.

English Language Arts 8 lays the foundations of York House's English expectations in the Senior School. The year begins by exploring the building blocks of personal narrative writing as students learn to look to their own lives and experiences for stories from which their audience can make meaning. Students learn and practise a range of explicit approaches to reading fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Grade 8s begin to research using podcasts, newspapers, and credible informational websites, and they then create their own informational texts about the major thematic concepts of their novels. Grade 8s are also introduced to literary analysis writing wherein they learn to craft an argument using the foundational scaffolding for Claim, Evidence, Commentary which supports their analytical thinking and writing; students are expected to understand the overall structural arc of an essay by the end of the year. Throughout the year, students choose their own texts for independent reading to (re-)develop and maintain a passion for reading for personal reasons. In terms of oral communication, students give and receive feedback to boost their speaking and listening toolkit as they interact with each other in positive ways through seminar discussions as well as through literature circles, presentations, and group projects.

Prerequisite: English Language Arts 8. English Language Arts 9 extends students' ability to think, read, and write with purpose, both creatively and analytically. Critical reading strategies for informational texts are further developed so that students learn to identify bias as well as focus on a writer's purpose and audience. A number of literary studies are undertaken, with clear steps for annotation and reading. Students learn narrative and descriptive writing techniques to enhance their creative writing toolkits. As well, the foundation of analytical writing continues, with a focus on selecting excellent evidence and developing unity and coherence within paragraphs and eventually extending analysis to multi-paragraph essays. Students continue learning to write clearly and with style. Students strengthen their ability to speak and listen through Harkness discussions; summarizing, questioning, and active listening are critical skills for Grade 9s as they are asked to question what they hear, read, and view in order to become educated and engaged citizens.

Prerequisite: English Language Arts 9. In Literary Studies 10, students will engage in a close reading of texts to come to a deep understanding of character and theme. Through analysis and discussion of fiction and drama, students are able to respond in personal, creative, and critical ways of thinking in order to increase their understanding of identity and perspective. As well, students will look at the historical and geographical implications of time and place in literature in order to recognize how beliefs and ideologies change over time. Careful reading of texts, as well as the continuation and strengthening of the Claim, Evidence, and Commentary language for literary analysis, will help students to develop the compare and contrast essay. Working in both Socratic Seminars and Harkness Discussions to expand their speaking and listening skills, students also begin to identify when changes and modifications in thinking have occurred in order to establish and strengthen a growth mindset. This is a two-credit course.

Prerequisite: Literary Studies 10 and either Spoken Language 10 or Creative Writing 10. Students will take both Literary Studies 11 and English Studies 12 in one year. Students continue to think critically and creatively about the uses of language and to explore texts in multiple modes that reflect diverse worldviews. Students will focus upon critical readings of poetry and prose to explore specific writing techniques, and then apply these techniques in their own creative and analytical writing. Students communicate their understanding through formal oral presentations, creative projects, Harkness discussions, and a variety of writing formats. Taking risks in order to grow as writers, readers, and learners will be encouraged. As preparation for AP courses in Grade 12, texts may be studied for longer periods of time, requiring deeper analysis; reading outside of the curriculum is expected; frequent and challenging homework assignments are typical; and research plays a prominent role. Students who take this course must take an AP English course in their Grade 12 year. This course combines the provincial curricula for Literary Studies 11 and English Studies 12, and students receive final grades for both courses. As such, the course is designed to challenge students who are passionate about reading and writing, and who show readiness in these areas at the end of Grade 10.

Prerequisite: English Language Arts 9. Spoken Language 10 is designed to support students in their development of spoken communication through processes of questioning, exploring, and sampling. Students will look at models of spoken language such as songs, speeches, spoken word, podcasts, oral storytelling, and debate in order to deconstruct how meaning is made in spoken language; students will become familiar with the tools of rhetoric in order to build their persuasive skills. The course builds students' spoken language competencies by introducing them to varied structures, forms, and styles of oral compositions and by providing opportunities for students to individually and collaboratively study, draft, and use language to create original pieces in a variety of modes. This area of choice will also provide students with opportunities for performance, storytelling, and public speaking. This is a two-credit course.