English

The aim of the English Department is to enable our students to achieve proficiency in written and spoken English. Our curriculum reinforces basic skills and develops critical thinking and analysis through the study of classic and contemporary literature. Our methods encourage students to achieve a positive attitude toward communication while raising their interest in and understanding of language and culture. Our intent is that, by furthering our students’ understanding of the English language and western literature, we will assist them in becoming bilingual and bicultural.

English 9 (Grade 9)
This course will follow an intense ninth grade curriculum, using an integrated language arts approach. Literature will be used as a bridge to teach all four skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Selections will be from various genres of short stories, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics covered in 9th grade include Greek Mythology, Memoirs and Poetry. Titles of novels include Animal Farm, The Miracle Worker, Lord of the Flies. Students will be grouped according to ability in order to practice and develop their skills as well as critical thinking.

English 10 (Grade 10)
This course is designed to improve reading and composition skills through a study of language and literature. Emphasis is placed on developing oral and written expression. Included in the course are grammar study, vocabulary building, reading skill development, the process of composition, and oral communications. Students will read and analyze various genres: short story, novel, play, poetry. Selections include Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, Night, MAUS and Milkweed.
This course is offered at the honors, intermediate and elementary levels.

English 11 (Grade 11)
The 11th grade curriculum will require students to build upon their basic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while also developing critical thinking skills through classroom discussions and themed literature. This will be an interdisciplinary course; all selected readings will be written by American authors having contexts related to their US History course. Titles of books include Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, A Streetcar named Desire. Grammar and vocabulary development will take place in accordance to the elementary, intermediate and honors levels.

English 12 (Grade 12)
English 12 thematically explores literature from all over the world and exposes the students to a variety of literary genres. Students will be expected to examine the literature studied with both an academic and creative perspective. Teachers will select texts based on the various themes they decided to explore. Titles of novels include Siddhartha, Brave New World, and The Blue Fairy Book. This course will be offered at intermediate and honors levels.

Drama (Grades 11/12)
The Drama Elective is offered for those students who love plays, love to act, or would just like to try it. The first half of the year will consist of theater games, improvisation, monologue and scene work. The second half of the year will consist of mounting a production of a play or scenes. We will choose a play, cast it, design it, and perform it for the school. We will focus on both acting and designing in the second half of the year. Although the class will be taught in English, language ability does not matter and will not be taken into account in grading. Grades will be based on effort, enthusiasm, preparation and commitment.

Creative Writing (Grades 11/12)
This class will use a workshop format to develop a community of writers. Students will experiment with various forms of writing, such as short stories, poetry, plays and articles. Focus will be put on self and peer revision. Students will also keep a weekly journal in which they will respond to writing prompts. The class will undertake the publication of a school-wide literary magazine.

Developing Oral English (Grades 12)
To achieve the course goal of improving oral English, students must be willing to speak in English during the class, not only to the teacher but to one another. Activities will include telling stories, giving directions and instructions, explaining topics, describing people and events, and planning activities. These activities will be designed to increase each student’s active vocabulary and fluency. Oral performances will include reciting poems, singing songs, improvising scenes, presenting monologues, and acting short scenes before an audience. The grade will be based on individual effort, and speaking Japanese in class will lower a student’s grade. Both oral and written tests will be given.

Translation (Implementation of this course is currently under consideration.) (Grades 11/12)
This course will focus on translating English Text to Japanese, and vice versa. This will also look at various genres of texts, from Current Events (newspapers, magazines and such) to movie subtitles.

The Art of Shakespeare (Implementation of this course is currently under consideration.)(Grades 11/12)
This course will not only read and analyze Shakespeare’s works, but also look at different interpretation of his works through movies and performances.