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English Language Arts Options in Grades 10-12

This page outlines the available options as well as requirements for the English Language Arts (ELA) options in Grades 10 through 12.

English Language Arts under the new BC Curriculum provides students with more options to learn their English skills and materials in methods and manners that are more applicable to each unique student. As such, there is choice in what students may do to achieve the required credit.

Grade 10
Requirement Choice Example

Students must completed 4 credits of ELA 10.

 

Courses are 2 credits each - meaning students must select a minimum of 2 courses or a combined offering.

 

Any additional courses taken count towards elective credit for graduation.

2 Credit Options,

  • Composition 10 (Online/Individualized)
  • Creative Writing 10 (Individualized)
  • Literary Studies 10 (Online/Individualized) 
  • New Media 10 Individualized 
  • Spoken Language 10 Individualized 

4 Credit Options, 

  • Composition 10 and Literary Studies 10 Combined Online Course (4 credits)
  • Composition 10 and Literary Studies 10 Combined Online Synchronous Course (4 credits)

Sarah has strong writing skills and has aspirations to explore Journalism when she graduates. She would like to focus on courses that help her enhance her writing. Because she needs 4 credits to satisfy graduation requirements Sarah will take:

  • Composition 10 Individualized and
  • Creative Writing 10 Individualized

 

Jonas enjoys taking online courses and doesn't want to have to concern himself with taking two separate courses. He will enroll in the Composition 10 and Literary Studies 10 Combined Online courses which satisfies all 4 required credits.

Please see the below for more detailed information on the HCOS choices available for grade 10 Language Arts. 

Grade 11
Requirement Choice Example

Students must completed 4 credits of ELA 11.

 

Any additional courses taken count towards elective credit for graduation.

All options are 4 Credits

 

  • Composition 11 (Individualized)
  • Creative Writing 11 Individualized (4 credits)
  • Literary Studies 11 (Online/Individualized) 
  • New Media 11(Individualized) 
  • Spoken Language 11 (Individualized) 

Bailey likes the idea of presenting and using her skills as a drama student to share her learning. She likes to orally present her learning and will enroll in Spoken Language 11 Individualized. This course satisfies all credits required for her at the Grade 11 level.

 

 

Thomas likes to create and edit major video productions. This is a passion area of his and writing is not his strongest ability. Although there is a writing component to New Media 11, the content is focused around different media types, one of which is video. This course is the most appealing to Thomas' strengths and passions and satisfies all requirements for ELA 11.
Grade 12
Requirement Choice Example

All students must take English Studies 12 OR First Peoples English Studies 12 in order to graduate.

 

Any additional courses taken count towards elective credit for graduation.

All options are 4 credits

  • English Studies 12 (Online/Individualized) - required course
  • Composition 12 (Individualized)
  • Creative Writing 12 (Individualized)
  • Literary Studies 12 (Individualized)
  • New Media 12 (Individualized)
  • Spoken Language 12 (Individualized)

In order to graduate, all students must take English Studies 12 or First Peoples English Studies 12.

 

Any additional courses taken at the Grade 12 level count towards elective credit and the grade 12 required credit for graduation.

English Language Arts 10 Options

Students need two of the following 2 credit course options in order to receive the required four credits of English 10. 

  • Since many curriculum options are a combination of two of these already, students can take a combined approach and often only need one curricular resource. 
  • Many of the recommended curricular selections below are available to borrow from the HCOS Learning Commons.
  • All ELA10 courses can be adapted in accordance with IEP recommendations.

COMPOSITION 10 (2 credits) is designed for students who would like to strengthen their skills in expository, opinion, persuasive, descriptive and/or narrative writing.  


This course provides students with the opportunity to:

  • explore and create coherent, purposeful compositions
  • read and study compositions by other writers and consider their value as models for the development of students' own writing
  • develop their craft through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising.

Composition 10 is incorporated into many of our HCOS online, hybrid, and community connections options. 


Curriculum suggestions for a focus on Individualized Composition 10 are as follows:

LITERARY STUDIES 10 (2 credits) is designed for students who are interested in the literature of a particular era, geographical area, or theme, or in the study of literature in general. 


Giving students the choice of a range of literary topics allows them to follow their passion and at the same time:

  • increase literacy skills through close reading of appropriately challenging text
  • develop balance and broaden their understanding of themselves and the world
  • develop higher-level thinking and learning skills

Literary Studies 10 is incorporated into many of our HCOS online, hybrid, and community connections options.

 

Curriculum suggestions for a focus on Individualized Literary Studies 10 are as follows: 

CREATIVE WRITING 10 (2 credits) is designed for students who have an interest in creative expression through language. 


This course provides students with the opportunity to:

  • express themselves creatively
  • develop their skills through the writing and design processes. 

Creative Writing 10 can be approached as a hybrid course or as an individualized course. 


Curriculum suggestions for a focus on Individualized Creative Writing 10 are as follows: 

SPOKEN LANGUAGE 10 (2 credits) is designed for students with an interest in performance, storytelling, spoken word poetry, or public speaking. 

 

This course provides students with an opportunity to:

  • develop their spoken communication skills through processes of questioning, exploring, and sampling 
  • study, draft, and use language to create original pieces in a variety of modes. 

Spoken Language 10 can be approached as a hybrid course or as an individualized course. 

 

Curriculum suggestions for a focus on Individualized Spoken Language 10 are as follows:

Credit can also be assigned for participation and achievements in community theatre, storytelling, spoken word, Toastmasters, 4H or Cadets Effective Speaking programs.

NEW MEDIA 10 (2 credits) is designed for students with an interest in media, journalism, film, or digital communications.  


This course provides students with an opportunity to

  • develop a program of study centred on personal interests, needs, and abilities, 
  • allow for a range of local delivery methods
  • recognize that digital literacy is an essential characteristic of the educated citizen. 

New Media 10 can be approached as a hybrid course or as an individualized course. 


Curriculum suggestions for a focus on Individualized New Media 10 are as follows:
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