• English Literacy

    The Department of English Literacy at Brandon High School is dedicated to the idea that literacy, is both a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which all other scholarship is built.  Our courses focus on building traditional literacy while also acknowledging the importance of digital, cultural and media literacy.  Through the examination of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, print media and film students will develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that will help them find success in their academic, professional and personal lives. 

    We offer Dual Enrollment, which is an exciting program that allows high school students to earn credit toward a postsecondary diploma, certificate, or degree  at a Florida public institution and toward a high school diploma. The following english courses are available for dual enrollment:

    ENC 1101 English Composition I and ENC 1102 English Composition II

    For more information about Dual Enrollment click here: Dual Enrollment Flyer

     
  • HCC Dual Enrollment

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    English Course Descriptions

     

    English 1 Academic & Honors

    1 credit                                                                Grade 9

     

    This course is an introduction into the world of literature at a secondary level. Poetry, short stories, drama, novels, and nonfiction will be thoroughly explored during the year. Students will be introduced to authors from Shakespeare to Hemingway. In addition to these topics, writing will play an important part in this course's curriculum.  The writing process and different styles and genres of composition will be taught.  Students will be encouraged to write frequently in and out of class. This class will begin to prepare students for the rigorous academic challenges in English that await them after high school graduation. Finally, this course will help prepare students to take and successfully pass the reading and writing portion of state assessments.

    English 2 Academic & Honors

    1 credit                                                        Grade 10

     

    At this level, literature is focused on writings from all over the world. The Western and Non-Western traditions of fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction will be fully explored. Students will spend time analyzing the cultural and theoretical meanings behind some of the classical works of literature. Again, a strong emphasis will be placed on writing, and written proficiency will be a high priority for  all students. In preparation for post-secondary education, students will be encouraged to write often in and out of school on various topics. This class will help prepare students to take state assessments

     

    Cambridge (AICE) English General Paper

    1 credit                                                  Grades 9 - 12

     

    The Cambridge International AS Level English General Paper encourages learners to engage with a variety of topics, including knowledge and understanding gained from study of other subjects. They learn to become confident in analyzing knowledge and opinion from a variety of sources, to build arguments and to communicate through written English.  Grade 9 takes this course with Eng Hon 1 to complete the AICE diploma.  Grade 11 takes this course to complete year 3 of Florida English graduation requirements.

     

    English 4 Honors

    1 credit                                                        Grade 12

     

    During a student's final year in high school, the English class focuses on the literature from Great Britain. From this heritage, students will study the beginnings of the English language and Shakespeare to the modem poet laureate of England. Composition skills, grammar, novels, poetry, short stories, and drama will all be covered. The instructor will help provide a smooth transition from high school English into college composition.

      

    Cambridge (AICE) English: Lang. &Comp.

    1 credit                                                      Grade 11

     

    The AICE English Language course gives learners the opportunity to study English language and its use in contemporary communication. It aims to encourage a critical response to texts in a range of forms, styles and contexts, and to promote skills of communication, reading, research and analysis. Students who took AICE Eng Gen Paper in grade 9 will take this course in grade 10 to fulfill Florida graduation requirements.

     

    Cambridge (AICE) Global Perspectives

    1 credit                                                            Grades 9-12

     

    This course is a unique, transformational program that helps students at every stage of school education develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research and collaboration. This innovative and stimulating skills-based program places academic study in a practical, real-world context. This curriculum develops the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication. It strengthens the links across all the other subjects in the primary program, including English, mathematics and science.

     

    Cambridge (AICE) English: Lit. & Comp.

    1 cred1t                                                               Grade 12

     

    This course will provide learners with the opportunity to gain further knowledge and understanding of international poetry, prose and drama, by studying all genres. Learners will be encouraged to practice their skills in close reading through the study of literary extracts and unseen texts; developing skills of analysis and interpretation of texts, alongside their expression of personal response to the texts studied. Learners will explore the conventions of genres of texts and the contexts in which works have been written, read and received. Students who took AICE Eng Lang in grade 10 will take this course in grade 11 to fulfill Florida graduation requirements.

     

    Cambridge (AICE) Thinking Skills

    1 credit                                                                 Grade 9-12

     

    Thinking Skills develops a set of transferable skills, including critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving, that students can apply across a wide range of subjects and complex real-world issues. Students are enabled to develop their ability to analyze unfamiliar problems, devise problem-solving strategies and evaluate diverse ways a problem may be solved. Students place personal view aside and examine and evaluate the evidence.  Students learn to make informed and reasoned decisions and construct evidence-based arguments.

      

    English Composition 1 – ENC 1101

    1 credit (1 Semester)                               Grades 11-12

    Prerequisites: 3.0 Unweighted GPA, Passing PERT/ACT/PSAT/SAT/ or CLT Scores in Reading & Writing

     

    This Dual-Enrollment course offered on campus in conjunction with HCC focuses on the writing process of various rhetorical strategies with consideration of the writer’s situation, including purpose, limitations of time, and audience. Students must write unified, coherent, and developed essays that include strong theses as well as introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs. Students must demonstrate effective sentence structure and observe conventions of standard English grammar and usage. “Course will be offered during the school day and after school depending on student enrollment and interest.

    English Composition 2 – ENC 1102

    1 credit (1 Semester)                              Grades 11-12

    Prerequisites: 3.0 Unweighted GPA, Passing PERT/ACT/PSAT/SAT/ or CLT Scores in Reading & Writing

     

    This Dual-Enrollment course offered on campus in conjunction with HCC is a continuation fo ENC1101. Instruction is persuasive and literary based critical and evaluative skills in English composition. Documented research paper required. “Course will be offered during the school day and after school depending on student enrollment and interest.

     

    Foundations of Journalism for Social Media

    1 credit                                                          Grades 9-12

     

    Are you that next great social media influencer? Foundations of Journalism is an overview of journalistic media, its history and applications within the scholastic press. This course offers experiences in photography, graphic design, advertising, typography and media law and writing for a variety of purposes including news, features, entertainment, blogs, and social media pages.

    Journalism 2 - 4   Yearbook

    1 credit                                                 Grades 10-12

    Prerequisites: Foundations of Journalism and/or Teacher Recommendation

     

    The BHS Yearbook is created by students, from cover to cover. Staff members will learn photography, design, interviewing, copy writing, social media, deadline, advertising and marketing while creating the yearbook.

    English 1-4 through ESOL

    1 credit                                                  Grades 9-12

     

    This course helps students acquire English as a second language through listening, viewing speaking, reading, and writing. This language-based curriculum is supplemented with grade appropriate grammar and literature while addressing the needs of the individual student. Real life topics help students develop both language and critical thinking skills. Studies of holidays, entertainment, and social issues help students become acclimated to our national culture. Course requirements include the benchmarks from the Sunshine State Standards.