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English advanced

The Year 11 and 12 English advanced courses are described in English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus.

HSC support resources

Support materials

Support materials were developed by NSW public school teachers as part of the Stage 6 mEsh project where 62 teachers led writing teams (over 150 teachers) across NSW.

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 unit, 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 unit.

Teachers can adapt the following units of work as required.

Year 11- Common module: Reading to write

Reading to write - the shifting nature of identity

Reading to write

Year 11 - Module A - Narratives that shape our world

Narratives that shape our world: stories of speculation

Texts: The Handmaid's Tale (prose fiction); V for Vendetta (film)

Narratives that shape our world: narratives and culture

Text: Lion (film)


Year 12 - Common Module- Texts and the human experience

Texts and human experiences- All the Light We Cannot See

Texts and human experiences- Billy Elliot

Texts and human experiences- The Boy Behind the Curtain

Texts and human experiences- The Crucible

Texts and human experiences- The Merchant of Venice

Texts and human experiences- Kenneth Slessor – selected poems


Year 12 - Module A - Textual conversations

Textual conversations - Hag-Seed and The Tempest

Textual conversations - Poetry of John Keats and Bright Star

Textual conversations - Plath and Hughes


Year 12 - Module B - Critical study of literature

Critical study of literature - Good Night, and Good Luck

Critical study of literature - Ibsen: A Doll's House

Critical study of literature - An artist of the floating world

Critical study of literature - TS Eliot

Year 12 - Module C - Craft of writing

Craft of writing

Year 12 key phases of learning

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 unit, 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 unit.

Connecting phase - Module B Emma

Engagement phase - Module B Henry IV

Unpacking phase - Module B Henry IV

Henry IV - unpacking phase - lesson sequence (DOCX 86KB)

Henry IV - unpacking phase - student booklet (DOCX 85KB)

Deepening phase Module C - A Tennyson, The Lady of Shallot

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

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