Year 8 English

The Year 8 English curriculum builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Year 7, continuing to enhance students’ abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Skills	Outcomes
Reading and Comprehension	– Interpret and analyse a wider range of texts, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and non-fiction. – Understand how text structures, language features, and visual elements shape meaning and influence readers. – Develop deeper comprehension skills, including identifying main ideas, supporting details, and making inferences.Evaluate the effectiveness of texts in terms of purpose, audience, and context.
Writing	– Write for a variety of purposes and audiences, including imaginative, informative, and persuasive texts. – Organize writing logically, using paragraphs, headings, and subheadings where appropriate. – Enhance writing through the use of descriptive language, varied sentence structures, and cohesive devices. – Refine editing and proofreading skills to improve grammar, punctuation, and spelling accuracy.
Speaking and Listening	– Participate in discussions, presentations, and debates with increasing confidence and clarity. – Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills effectively to engage and persuade an audience. – Listen attentively to others, summarizing key points and responding thoughtfully. – Collaborate in group activities, respecting diverse viewpoints and contributing constructively.
Literature	– Explore a variety of literary texts from different cultures, historical periods, and genres. – Analyze character development, plot structure, themes, and literary devices used by authors. – Reflect on and discuss personal responses to literature, considering different interpretations and perspectives. – Appreciate the aesthetic qualities of texts and the ways they evoke emotions and imagination.
Critical Thinking and Analysis	– Develop critical thinking skills by comparing and contrasting different texts and media. – Analyze how texts reflect or challenge social, cultural, and historical contexts and values. – Evaluate the use of persuasive techniques in texts and their impact on audiences. – Apply analytical skills to interpret and critique a variety of media, including digital, visual, and multimedia texts.