Here - International School Manila

Students coming out of ESL in either 9 th grade or 10 th grade are required to apply to the
Program leader of English if they wish to enroll in either IB English A courses.
Required Courses
English 1 Grade 9
Pre-requisite: Grade 8 English equivalent
1 year, 1 credit
English 1 is a one-year course which aims to provide students with a solid foundation in
literary appreciation and analysis and to further develop their language skills. Literature is
viewed as the expression of the best of human creative thought and studied according to
five major literary genres: Fiction (novels and short stories), Non-Fiction, Poetry, Drama
and Media. Language is valued as a vehicle for thought, communication, creativity and selfexpression.
The language skills of reading, writing, speaking and researching are developed
through a variety of written, oral and visual assignments. Written assignments are of
paramount importance and are encouraged as a critical and sometimes creative extension
of the reading. Students are also provided with ample opportunities to express themselves
verbally through exercises in oral presentation and interpretation and through
formal/informal speeches. The thematic thread that runs through the English 1 course is of
the various kinds of journeys we encounter in life.
English 2 Grade 10
Pre-requisite: English 1
1 year, 1 credit
English 2 is a one-year course that builds on the reading, writing, speaking and research
skills learned in English 1. It promotes a multicultural view of literature from the five
literary genres – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Media. Students improve their
writing skills using a variety of expository and literary techniques. The thematic thread that
permeates the English 2 course is one of identity.
English 1 and 2 Honors Grade 9, 10
Pre-requisite: Enrollment in this challenging program is based on a combination of teacher
recommendation, the student’s semester 1 English grade, and a commentary entrance exam for
qualified applicants. Interested students should contact their classroom teacher.
1 year, 1 credit
English 1 and 2 Honors are accelerated programs designed to allow students to explore and
interact with a broad range of literary genres. Through the course of the Honors English
program, literary selections will focus on providing a sequential foundation to facilitate a
broadened perspective of literature, human thought and the “humanity” found in each
individual. Students will have the opportunity to view the world through different cultures
and different perspectives and to recognize that there is a common link among humans
regardless of distance, time, or culture.
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