English studies

Support to help you plan, program and assess the English studies course.

English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024)

The new English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024)External link is to be implemented from 2026, with planning beginning in 2025. The syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2026. Schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2026. The first HSC examination for English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is in 2027.

These resources have been developed to support teachers in planning and programming.

Planning templates and sample documents

These documents identify key requirements for planning and enacting the English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024) and text requirements.

Sample documents

These sample documents demonstrate how to use the planning templates. They can be adapted for planning, programming and assessing in a specific school context.

Sample programs and resources

Sample programs and resources for the English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024) are currently in development. These samples will include teaching and learning programs, resources, sample assessments and annotated student work samples for the Year 11 ‘Reading to write: Transition to English Studies’ focus area and the Year 12 ‘Writing for purpose’ focus area.

English Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)

The English Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)External link is to be taught until implementation of the new English Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2024)External link is implemented from 2026.

This 2025 English Studies Stage 6 Quick Reference Guide (PPTX 103.3 KB) provides an overview of support available to implement the English Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).

English studies Stage 6 planning template (DOCX 4.2 MB) sets out the key requirements for planning a Stage 6 Studies course at your school. It is organised beginning with Year 12 to support the planning process of backward mapping.

You can adapt the following units for Year 11 and Year 12 as required.

You can adapt the following units of work as required. Examinable HSC content for ATAR pathway.

Teacher advice – The Stage 6 phases project has been developed to support teachers in the structuring of teaching and learning activities for Stage 6 units. In the typical eight-week timeframe of a learning sequence a teacher may employ a range of these phases in order to meet outcomes, cover content and prepare for assessment.

The term ‘phase’ helps to focus planning by identifying the specific purpose of each section within a teaching program. The phases are closely aligned to the English textual concept ‘learning processes’ of understanding, engaging personally, connecting, engaging critically, experimenting, and reflecting. As such each phase focuses teacher and student attention onto the learning intentions of each sequence of lessons.

Each phase lesson sequence is structured as a case study utilising a module and a prescribed text. However, the teaching and learning activities within the case study could be easily adapted to any Stage 6 learning sequence.

If you need further assistance with accessibility for any of these resources, please get in touch with us at SecondaryEducationUnit@det.nsw.edu.au

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Curriculum
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