3 Core Differences between Primary and High School English
Year 7 is an exciting yet nervous time for children as they enter a completely new system of schooling. Gone are the days of sitting on the ground with crossed legs and having only one teacher cater for all their studies. Students will have to adjust to shorter break times and changing classrooms between classes.
Although students might find subjects like maths, science and sport somewhat similar to their primary school learning, English brings the biggest shock and confusion due to the dramatic differences in teaching, learning and assessment styles.
Below we will address the 3 main differences students should expect when they start high school.
1. No more multiple-choice comprehension questions – it’s all essays from here
In primary school, students learn to tackle multiple choice comprehension tests and short writing pieces, however in high school, English classes mainly assess extended and open response questions as its main form of assessment. Aside from the NAPLAN and ICAS tests (which are multiple choice), English assessments are mostly:
Essays
Podcast creation
Speeches
Poster creation with written component
Creative writing pieces (imaginative, discursive, persuasive)
Depending on school and teacher, students will receive different levels of instruction on how to address these tasks.
2. Students will need to use literary techniques to identify abstract meanings
The NSW Syllabus requires more abstract understanding of English literature starting from Stage 4 (Year 7-8). Understanding the events and plot-line of a story is assumed knowledge and there is a stronger focus on understanding themes, messages and context.
Students must discuss how historical events and personal experiences impact the way composers explore core themes such as social equality or the importance of human relationships. They must develop and use their understanding of literary devices and textual techniques to read a text more closely so they can extract abstract meanings hidden behind literal language.
3. There is no “right answer” and students need to develop their own opinions
The NSW Syllabus aims to develop critical and autonomous thinking in students, meaning that a student must demonstrate the ability to form insightful personal opinions. Essays will not have a “correct answer”. Rather, students are assessed on how well they can use logical arguments and powerful evidence to support their personal opinions.
If students do not understand how to analyse a text, it becomes very difficult for them to form a strong opinion on the text. It’s important to build a robust foundation in technique knowledge in order to write insightful essays.
In conclusion, understanding the different demands of high school English will help students navigate their transition into Year 7 more smoothly.
If you would like to give your child a head start on their high school preparations, Alpha One have collaborated with Simply English to provide students with a junior high school English Course. This class which is held in our popular small class groups will help students slowly transition towards the high school English learning style as well as provide a sturdy foundation for future learning.
For more information, please contact us or book your free trial today!
Published 25 September 2021