FRESHMAN ENGLISH
Freshman English is required of all freshman. This course includes the study of grammar, composition, library orientation and research, vocabulary, spelling, literature, oral expression, reading skills, and study skills.

HONORS FRESHMAN ENGLISH
This course is designed to challenge academically those students who are able to work beyond the curriculum of regular Freshman English. This course includes a study of advanced grammar, basic composition, and a survey of world literature.

SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Sophomore English is designed to help students develop reading strategies as part of an introduction to the study of world literature, which includes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. They will use the writing process to produce a variety of essays. Students will work on vocabulary skills, make oral presentations.

HONORS SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
This course is designed for those students who met the general criteria for honors established by the District. In addition to refining students' skills in composition, oral expression, and literary analysis, this yearlong course will also explore such accelerated activities as debate, persuasion, and application of mythology. Composition work will consist of advanced research with emphasis on various types of expository and argument writing.

JUNIOR ENGLISH
Junior English is a class designed to introduce students to the literature, voices, and traditions of the United States. Although many students may have read works by American authors in the past, this class is an intense study of why these authors were writing and what affected them most. Students can expect a heavy emphasis on reading, writing, discussion, and research.

HONORS JUNIOR ENGLISH
This course is designed for capable students who meet the general criteria of honors established by the District. Course content varies on the four campuses but emphasizes literature, research, composition, and individual projects.

SENIOR ENGLISH
Senior English fulfills the requirement of a fourth year of English. Composition, grammar, vocabulary, research and study skills, reading and thinking skills, oral expression, and writing forms, applications and resumes are included. The course also includes a survey of world literature from the Greeks and Romans to the twentieth century, with a review of literary terms. A research project is required of each student.

HONORS HUMANITIES 
This course examines the basic nature of humanity through the study of art, literature, music, drama, and philosophy. Through this examination of the fine arts, students will develop a better understanding of man's desires, hopes and motivations. Compositions are required, covering ancient cultures through the twentieth century. While students become familiar with masterpieces through classroom experience and guest speakers, the emphasis is on continual, sustained reading and writing.

COLLEGE COMPOSITION 
This course engages students in an extensive writing program of expository and persuasive writing. In addition to improving student writing style, the program focuses on various writing techniques such as comparison and contrast, definition, example, cause and effect, and the analytical process. Research skills are reviewed, and a research project is required. Students learn how to use information gathered through library research to add authority and credibility to their writing.

AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
This course is designed to challenge the highly motivated, college-bound student. This rigorous course emphasizes language (verbal abilities) and composition (writing abilities) using American literature as the vehicle. Students will be able to identify, apply, analyze, and evaluate multiple rhetorical strategies. The course focuses on the historical, social, and cultural significance of American fiction and nonfiction, the development of students' stylistic maturity in their own writing, research skills, and vocabulary development. Upon successful completion of this course, students are encouraged to take AP Language and Composition Exam.

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
This course is designed to challenge the highly motivated, college bound student. This rigorous course surveys the literature of the world with a particular emphasis on the European writers. Culture, history, ideology, philosophy, and religion complement the critical analysis of literature. Upon successful completion of this course, students are encouraged to take AP Literature Exam.

CREATIVE WRITING
Creative Writing is a survey of major writing genres, including poetry, creative non-fiction, one-act plays, fiction, and multi-genre. Students study major literary conventions and writing techniques in order to analyze the craft of writing, which they will apply when writing original pieces in each genre. Among other elements, this course covers an author’s use of imagery, metaphor, alliteration, rhyme, meter, symbol, enjambment, structure, characterization, showing instead of telling, tone, voice, diction, and dialogue. Additionally, peer review and openness to feedback is a critical component to this class. Students will also have opportunities to get published.

READING 1-2
This course is offered to entering students who will benefit from additional instruction and practice in reading strategies. Individualized and group instruction is used to help students who cope with their high school courses. Freshman who take this course will also enroll in Freshman Communications or Freshman English.

READING 3-4
This course is a continuation of Reading 1-2 and must be taken in conjunction with Sophomore Communications or Sophomore English. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development, critical thinking skills, reading flexibility, study and test-taking skills, survival reading, and career planning. In addition, students will receive help in reading materials from other subject areas and in meeting reading proficiency. Prerequisite: Reading 1-2 READING 5-6 This course continues to apply and refine the skills covered in Reading 3-4. Students will receive help in meeting reading proficiency.Prerequisite: Reading 3-4

BASIC 1 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES
This course teaches the most elementary aspects of the English language. Students will learn about the alphabet and rules of phonics, punctuation, basic grammar structure (including parts of speech and noun-verb agreement), and high-frequency vocabulary words. Students will practice basic English skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will listen to, understand and follow classroom directions and teacher's explanations. They will speak about personal needs and feelings, home, school and other topics using basic vocabulary. They will read and write in English, first in sentences, then paragraphs and finally in simple narratives.

BASIC 2 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES
This course reinforces and builds on the same content of Basic 1, expanding listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It also introduces basic literature in English and continues to encourage the development of written and oral communication in English.

INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES 
This course builds on the mastery of beginning level English skills taught in Basic 1 and 2. Students will read and interpret simple forms of English literature and learn appropriate literary terms. They will expand their knowledge and base of grammatical structures, tenses, and usage, and work to develop effective writing techniques. Correct pronunciation of the English language will be practiced and encouraged. 

ADVANCED ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES
This literature-based English course is similar in content and methods of instruction to English courses for native speakers. Students will read and analyze fiction and nonfiction, including short stories, plays, poetry and novels. Students will learn advanced vocabulary, punctuation and grammatical structures, practice expository and narrative writing techniques, expand their computer literacy and continue to develop research and study skills. In addition, students will be expected to improve their oral communications skills and will be required to give at least one formal speech presentation. Concurrent registration on a reading course is recommended.

PUBLIC SPEAKING 1-2
The course of study in this two-semester course is designed to develop the student's skills in public speaking, debate, oral interpretation (prose and poetry), reader's theater, radio speaking, listening, writing, and organizing materials. Also, the procedures of oral and written evaluation will be stressed. The opportunity to participate in speech competition is available to each student.

PUBLIC SPEAKING 3-4
This two-semester course included the development of skills in speaking, writing, organization, research, and listening. The basic techniques of debate, oral interpretation, extemporaneous speaking, panel discussion, and parliamentary procedure are included in the course work. Students learn to organize and present ideas, to use logic in argumentation, to recognize and use techniques and persuasion, to state their opinions and feelings with confidence, to research current issues, and to use dramatic techniques in reading literature. Students are encouraged to participate in speech tournaments. This course is designed for those students who are above-average academically.