English & Languages

Literacy is about more than reading or writing – it is about how we communicate in society. It is about social practices and relationships, about knowledge, language and culture… Literacy development is a communal project, and the teaching of literacy skills is embedded across the Ontario curriculum. However, it is the English curriculum that is dedicated to developing the knowledge and skills on which literacy is based – that is, knowledge and skills in the areas of listening and speaking, reading, writing, and viewing and representing.

Ministry of Education, Ontario Curriculum Document

Teaching Staff

D. Collura (ACL)L. GalatiO. Goritsas R. CoramM. Creary

Language & Literacy Dept. Promo Video

Course Listing

Course NameCourse CodeGradeTypePrerequisiteDescription
Academic EnglishENG1D19AcademicNoneThis course is designed to develop the oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives. Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on the use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. The course is intended to prepare students for the Grade 10 academic English course, which leads to university or college preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12.
Locally Developed EnglishENG1L19Locally DevelopedNoneThis course provides grade nine students with the essential foundations of literacy and communication skills that will help them in their daily lives. This course is designed to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills by developing strategies and putting them into practice. Time is spent exercising each of these skills by completing online activities in order to acquire a solid foundation of literacy that will teach students how to use language clearly and sufficiently in there day to day lives.
Academic EnglishENG2D110AcademicGrade 9 English, Academic or AppliedThis course is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives. Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. This course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 university or college preparation course.
Locally Developed EnglishENG2L110Locally DevelopedThis course emphasizes key skills in reading, writing, oral communication, and thinking that these students need for continuing success in their secondary school subjects, and to communicate with others in their lives outside of school. This course gives students a solid literacy skills foundation to enter Grade 9 Applied English. Students will produce clear, complete writing in a variety of narrative and non-narrative forms for real-life purposes (including world of work), using appropriate and correct language. In particular, the course encourages students to develop and reflect upon the strategies that will improve their literacy competence and confidence.
Essentials EnglishENG3E111WorkplaceGrade 10 English, AppliedThis course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a variety of contemporary informational, graphic, and literary texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language clearly and accurately in a variety of formal and informal contexts. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 workplace preparation course.
College EnglishENG3C111CollegeGrade 10 English, AppliedThis course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from Canada and other countries, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 college preparation course.
University EnglishENG3U111UniversityGrade 10 English, AcademicThis course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures, as well as a range of informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and incorporating stylistic devices appropriately and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 university or college preparation course.
Essentials EnglishENG4E112WorkplaceGrade 11 English, WorkplaceThis course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will analyse informational, graphic, and literary texts and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for workplace-related and practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language accurately and organizing ideas and information coherently. The course is intended to prepare students for the workplace and active citizenship.
College EnglishENG4C1CollegeGrade 11 English, CollegeThis course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for college or the workplace.
University EnglishENG4U1UniversityGrade 11 English, UniversityThis course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace.
Core French, AcademicFSF1D9Minimum of 600 hours of French instruction, or equivalentThis course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French with increasing independence, with a focus on familiar topics related to their daily lives. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing by using language learning strategies introduced in the elementary Core French program, and will apply creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Core French, AppliedFSF1P9Minimum of 600 hours of French instruction, or equivalentThis course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French in structured situations, with a focus on everyday topics, and to apply their knowledge of French in everyday situations. Students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills introduced in the elementary Core French program, through practical applications and concrete examples, and will use creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Core French, OpenFSF1O9NoneThis is an introductory course for students who have little or no knowledge of French or who have not accumulated the minimum of 600 hours of elementary Core French instruction. Students will begin to understand and speak French in guided and structured interactive settings, and will develop fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through discussing issues and situations that are relevant to their daily lives. Throughout the course, students will develop their awareness of diverse French-speaking communities in Canada and acquire an understanding and appreciation of these communities. They will also develop a variety of skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Core French, AcademicFSF2D10Core French, Grade 9, Academic or AppliedThis course provides opportunities for students to communicate in French about personally relevant, familiar, and academic topics in real-life situations with increasing independence. Students will exchange information, ideas, and opinions with others in guided and increasingly spontaneous spoken interactions. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. They will also increase their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Core French, AppliedFSF2P10Core French, Grade 9, Academic or AppliedThis course provides opportunities for students to communicate in French about everyday matters and topics of personal interest in real-life situations. Students will exchange information, ideas, and opinions with others in structured, guided, and increasingly spontaneous spoken interactions. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through using language learning strategies for understanding texts and communicating clearly. They will also increase their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.
Core French, OpenFSF2O10Core French, Grade 9, OpenThis course provides opportunities for students to speak French in guided and structured interactive settings. Students will communicate about matters of personal interest and familiar topics through listening, speaking, reading, and writing in real-life situations, using print, oral, visual, and electronic texts. Students will develop a general understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, as well as skills necessary for lifelong language learning.