A teacher's guide to the new QCAA Senior English syllabus changes
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A change is coming for Queensland senior secondary schooling.
Senior English in Queensland is changing to help English students develop 21st-century skills and knowledge for success in their future work and life. You can trust our expert Queensland authors and award-winning publishing team to support you as you implement the new Senior English syllabus.
Significant changes to Senior English encompass new teaching content and a new approach to assessment. Our Senior English resources are designed to exemplify possible learning pathways, model approaches to text analysis and creation, reduce the stress of syllabus implementation and save you time when lesson planning.
Students will only complete four summative assessment tasks in Year 12, which will entail program redesign at the school level. Prescribed text lists for Units 3 and 4 will require new content to be developed in many schools, and will also have an impact on text choices for Units 1 and 2.
What does the new QCAA English General Senior Syllabus look like?
| English | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | Syllabus content | Assessment | Assessment method |
| Unit 1 | Perspectives and texts
|
Formative internal assessment/s | Students should have opportunities in Units 1 and 2 to experience and respond to the types of assessment they will encounter in Units 3 and 4. For reporting purposes, schools should develop at least one assessment per unit, with a maximum of four assessments across Units 1 and 2. |
| Unit 2 | Texts and culture
|
Formative internal assessment/s | Students should have opportunities in Units 1 and 2 to experience and respond to the types of assessment they will encounter in Units 3 and 4. For reporting purposes, schools should develop at least one assessment per unit, with a maximum of four assessments across Units 1 and 2. |
| Unit 3 | Textual connections
|
Summative internal assessment
|
|
| Unit 4 | Close study of literary texts
|
Summative internal assessment
|
|
Source: © English 2019 v1.2, QCAA General Senior Syllabus, Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority November 2017
Students studying the Senior English syllabus from 2019 will:
enhance literacy skills in a world of changing cultural, social, economic and technological mediums
be able to interpret and create texts for personal, cultural, social and aesthetic purposes
learn how language varies according to context, purpose and audience, content, modes and mediums, and to use it appropriately
engage with a diverse range of texts to help them develop a sense of themselves and shape their perceptions of the world
develop skills to communicate effectively in Standard Australian English to interact with literary texts and non-literary texts
explore of ways in which literary and non-literary texts can support or contest thinking and influence audiences
study a range of literary and non-literary texts from diverse cultures and periods to develop empathy for and an appreciation of different perspectives.
The basics
To successfully implement the new Senior English syllabus, there are three basic points to be aware of:
The new course is made up of four units of study to be taught over two years (i.e. Units 1 and 2 to be taught in Year 11 and Units 3 and 4 to be taught in Year 12). Students should complete Units 1 and 2 before beginning Unit 3. It is recommended that Unit 3 be completed before Unit 4.
Units 1 and 2 have students working across all syllabus objectives and beginning to engage with the course subject matter. The teaching of Units 3 and 4 consolidates students’ learning. Subject matter, learning experiences and assessment increase in complexity from Units 1 through to 4 as students develop independent learning.
Only the results from Units 3 and 4 will contribute to ATAR calculations. Each unit has been developed to a notional time of 55 hours of teaching and learning, including assessment.
What is Oxford publishing for the new QCAA English General Senior Syllabus?
The publishing team at Oxford is currently working with expert Queensland authors to deliver high-quality resources directly mapped to the new syllabus. These include:
English for Queensland
Units 1 & 2
English for Queensland Units 1 & 2 Student book + obook assess
- Print student book with digital access
English for Queensland Units 1 & 2 obook assess
- Digital student access (12 months access)
English for Queensland Units 1 & 2 Teacher obook assess
- Digital teacher access
Institutional purchases
Please contact your Education Consultant if your school purchases resources on behalf of students and requires multi-year digital subscriptions. If your school has a different model, ask your Education Consultant about purchase options.
English for Queensland
Units 3 & 4
English for Queensland Units 3 & 4 Student book + obook assess
- Print student book with digital access
English for Queensland Units 3 & 4 obook assess
- Digital student access (12 months access)
English for Queensland Units 3 & 4 obook assess
- Digital teacher access
Institutional purchases
Please contact your Education Consultant if your school purchases resources on behalf of students and requires multi-year digital subscriptions. If your school has a different model, ask your Education Consultant about purchase options.
Why choose Oxford QLD Senior English resources?
Our Senior English resources are designed to work for you in the classroom. They will:
provide learning pathways that ensure complete coverage of the syllabus
clearly model approaches to inquiry learning and critical thinking
provide detailed support and resources for assessment (including exam preparation and practice)
suggest methodologies for mandatory and suggested practicals outlined in the syllabus.
All these features are designed to save you time when lesson planning, reduce the stress of syllabus implementation and ensure the best learning outcomes for your students.
“
From January 2019, senior secondary syllabuses in Queensland will change to support the introduction of new assessment and tertiary entrance systems. As teachers across Queensland prepare for this significant change, the Secondary team at Oxford will be busy collaborating with local teachers and educators to create a range of world-class teaching and learning materials. Our goal is to make implementation of the new systems as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.
–The Secondary Publishing Team at Oxford University Press
”
Register for QLD Senior Syllabus updates from Oxford and receive:
Invites to our free webinar series
Invites to Professional Development events in Queensland
Advanced access to sample chapters and page proofs
Relevant QCAA syllabus updates where applicable
