It's no secret that colleges want you to take English class each year of high school. But what exactly are you supposed to be learning? What options do you have to exceed expectations and show off your stuff? And what if you're such a book-loving reader that in the dictionary under "bibliophile" there's a picture of you—how can you really max out your high school English experience? Read on to learn about the common core, honors and AP classes, and going beyond what the standard curriculum offers! You'll be hard-pressed to find a college that doesn't expect you to have taken 4 years of English or Language Arts classes. Likewise, the vast majority of high schools require 4 years of English in order for you to graduate. These 4 years are cumulative, meaning each year builds on what you learned before, and now each year is most likely based on the common core standards. So, colleges assume that when you start freshman year, you've been learning all of this: Want to know the type of books colleges assume you will have read by the time you get in? Here are some examples of what the common core standards want you to be reading in high school, broken down by year: If you want a very long breakdown of what the common core recommends you study, check out their year-by-year guide.What Do Colleges Expect?
9th Grade is the setup year
10th Grade is the building year
11th Grade focuses on American literature
12th Grade looks out at the world
Common Core Reading Standards
There's... a lot of choice. Having a guide helps.
Literature: Stories, Drama, Poetry Informational Texts: Literary Nonfiction and Historical, Scientific, and Technical Texts 9th - 10th Grade The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1592) "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry (1775) "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1817) "Farewell Address" by George Washington (1796) "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe (1845) "Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln (1863) "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (1906) "State of the Union Address" by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1941) The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939) "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1964) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953) "Hope, Despair and Memory" by Elie Wiesel (1997) The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1975) 11th - 12th Grade "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats (1820) Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1848) Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1854) "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson (1890) "Society and Solitude" by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1857) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) "The Fallacy of Success" by G. K. Chesterton (1909) Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937) Black Boy by Richard Wright (1945) A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (1959) "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell (1946) The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (2003) "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry" by Rudolfo Anaya (1995)
How Can I Exceed Expectations?
Honors Classes
These will most likely be similar to the standard classes your school offers, but the works you read will be more challenging and the assignments more complex and demanding. In other words, you'll do more work and put in more effort, but you'll be better prepared for college-level writing!
Pro tip: in your school, honors classes may be a prerequisite for AP classes.
AP English Classes
There are two AP English options:
- AP English Language and Composition
- if your school offers both AP English classes, this is the one you'll take Junior year
- this class and exam are all about how writers do what they do: how they use rhetoric, genre, style, and how they play with audience expectations
- AP English Literature and Composition
- if your school offers both AP English classes, this is the one you'll take senior year
- this class and exam have to do with critical analysis, close reading, literary structure, themes, as well as imagery
IB Diploma Classes
There are three IB literature options:
- Language A: Literature
- this course focuses on the analysis of literary texts
- Language A: Language and Literature
- this class takes the analysis further by looking at both literary and non literary genres, and by considering how the context of writing or reading something affects its meaning
- Literature and Performance
- this class is all about the relationship between literature and theater, focusing on close reading, critical writing and the aesthetic and symbolic elements of performance
Both Language A classes are offered in a variety of languages, and Literature and Performance can be taken in French or Spanish by special request, so these may be great options for non-native speakers or bilingual students.
Some IB diploma classes can be taken online, but the closest you'll come to English online is the Film SL class, which is all about the history, formal elements, technical production, and of course critical analysis of film.
What If I'm an English Class Junkie? Is There More?
Please, sir, may I have some more... English class? In this bowl, for some reason?
Check Out Your School's Electives
This is the time to think just a little bit outside the box! For example, classes in creative writing offer a great window into later being able to see how someone else did it. Electives in the humanities can often offer what is basically a modified literature class. And there are many other subjects that focus on reading, analyzing, and writing about texts—subjects like philosophy, theater studies, world religions, psychology, or anthropology.
Design Your Own Course
Your school is your resource, so don't be afraid to get creative. Consider asking a teacher to help you set up an independent project or independent study to explore your interests!
For example, in my senior year, on top of my coursework, with the help of my favorite English teacher I designed an independent study of reading and writing poetry. It was incredibly rewarding!
Take High School Classes Online
For instance, Stanford University has an online high school which features 7 English courses and lets you enroll to take as many of them as you want.
Brown University also offers a set of online pre-college courses. They have 4 related classes on nonfiction, travel writing, formal college writing, and a humanities seminar on evolutionary thought.
Take Summer Classes on College Campuses
You can check out our guide to the Summer Institute for the Gifted or all the info we have collected about Stanford's two summer programs.
Take Some Online College-Level Classes
Are you super confident in your abilities or interested in something specific you can't find anywhere else? Maybe the best thing for you to do is prove yourself on a whole another level! Just think, doing well on a college-level course will look great on your transcript, and you might even get college credit for it!
What's Next?
Need to improve your acquaintance with key literary terms? Use our articles on personification, imagery, rhetorical devices, point of view, literary elements, assonance, and iambic pentameter to aid you in your quest.
Still wrestling over whether AP or IB is better? Check out our guide to deciding between them.
Curious how your writing skills will apply to the SAT? Read about how to improve your SAT writing score, or better yet, how to get a perfect 800 and how to get a 12 on the SAT essay.
And don't forget to read about the ACT Writing test and SAT essay.
Thinking ahead to college applications?
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About the Author
Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.
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FAQs
The High School English Classes You Should Take? ›
As long as they both get taken, no one should care. I mean you did the work, as long as you pass the classes it doesn't matter when you took them.
Can you take English 3 and 4 at the same time? ›As long as they both get taken, no one should care. I mean you did the work, as long as you pass the classes it doesn't matter when you took them.
What should be taught in a high school English class? ›- Comprehension and collaboration.
- Presentation of knowledge and ideas.
- Research to build and present knowledge.
- Range of writing.
AP English Literature
English classes typically come across as one of the easiest AP classes. Even though AP English Literature covers college-level reading, you should still do well in this course as a junior or senior!
English courses can be helpful for improving your fluency in speaking, polishing your writing skills and targeting specific skills you need for a particular social or professional environment.
What is 9th grade English called? ›The basic level for a 9th grader is often listed as English I (may also be called English 9). This course will often teach the fundamentals of higher-level literature and how to analyze and respond to such literature.
What do 12th graders need to learn in English? ›While critically reading fiction, poetry, drama, and expository nonfiction, 12th graders will learn comprehension and literary-analysis strategies. Tasks will build oral language skills and produce creative, coherent writing.
What is 11th grade English called? ›Language Arts
In 11th grade, students will likely study American, British, or World literature, completing whichever course they did not complete in 9th or 10th grade.
What English Language Arts Concepts Should a 10th Grader Know? A typical course of study for 10th grade English language arts will include a diverse selection of world literature organized into thematic chapters. Students will be encouraged to refine their listening, speaking, and writing skills.
What should be taught in 9th grade English? ›A typical course of study for 9th grade English language arts will include a variety of literary works from different cultures around the world. 9th graders usually cover book reports, which build both reading comprehension and composition skills, as well as expand on writing skills they built in previous years.
What English should I take senior year? ›
There are two AP English classes: English Language and Composition (usually taken junior year), and English Literature and Composition (usually taken senior year).
What is the hardest class in high school? ›- Physics 1. As one of the hardest high school classes, this course includes not only algebra but also scientific inquiry and physics. ...
- Environmental Science. ...
- Chemistry. ...
- U.S. Government and Politics. ...
- U.S. History. ...
- Human Geography. ...
- European History. ...
- Statistics.
Level | Level name | |
---|---|---|
Basic | A1 | Beginner |
A2 | Elementary | |
Independent | B1 | Intermediate |
B2 | Upper Intermediate |
English language plays an essential role in our lives as it helps in communication. It is the main language for studying any subject all over the world. English is important for students as it broadens their minds, develops emotional skills, improve the quality of life by providing job opportunities.
What grade would a 15 year old be in? ›This is when you should start taking your AP core classes. Take 3 to 5 if you are aiming for a highly selective school, and 2 to 4 if you are aiming elsewhere. Note that many students describe this year as significantly harder than past ones. And you'll also likely be taking your standardized tests.
What does 11th grade English focus on? ›Reading complex materials from a range of genres, including drama and poetry. Making logical inferences and conclusions from text evidence. Analyzing the structures of various texts and how those structures relate to the purpose. Interpreting the use of rhetorical devices and subtle changes in word meaning.
What English skills do students need? ›What do employers say are the most important English skills? Overall, employers say they want all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening). So it's important to practise all of them.
What skills do you need for English class? ›Skill #1: Listening. Skill #2: Speaking. Skill #3: Reading. Skill #4: Writing.
Is junior year the hardest? ›Although some people might find that freshman year of high school is challenging, junior year would typically be the most difficult, busy, and important year because of everything you have to juggle from academics, extracurricular activities, and college preparation to still keeping a social life.
How old are you in 11th grade in Korea? ›
Level/grade | Typical age |
---|---|
10th grade | 15-16 (17) |
11th grade | 16-17 (18) |
12th grade | 17-18 (19) |
Post-secondary education |
English III Advanced Placement
This course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.
English II builds upon students' foundation of critical reading and analytical writing skills. Through texts that range from investigative journalism, essays, articles, and historical documents to short stories, drama, and poetry, students analyze the use of elements in literature and nonfiction.
What are ELA skills in high school? ›DoDEA defines literacy as: reading, writing, speaking, and listening across disciplines. Our curriculum engages students in both traditional print formats and interactive multimedia to increase student capacity to be digital citizens and learners.
What does English 10 consist of? ›English 10 is a course organized around the study of various genres of literature, including novels, non-fiction expository texts, drama, and poetry. The course emphasizes instruction in the development of clear argumentation, support, and structure of analytical paragraphs and essays.
Why is 9th grade English important? ›Ninth grade English engages students in a rich, challenging year of growth as thinkers, readers, and writers. Instruction develops higher-order thinking through a focus on critical reading, essay writing, language usage and style, the elements of literature, and vocabulary development.
What do you learn in 9th grade advanced English? ›Course Description: English 9 integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing through studies of literature and composition. Types of literature studied include biographies, autobiographies, essays, short stories, dramas, speeches, and novels.
What is taught in 9th grade ELA? ›English 9 covers literary terminology, vocabulary building, test-taking strategies and a range of text types. Students will be reading fictional literature as well as non-fiction informational texts.
What happens if you get a 4 in English language? ›Therefore, even if you are not happy with the result, it is important to remember that getting a 4 still means that you have passed your GCSE English Literature or Language exam. Achieving a grade 4 essentially means that you have displayed a basic solid knowledge of the subject – it is nothing to be ashamed of!
What grade is English 3? ›11th Grade English III Curriculum.
Do you need a 4 in English language? ›
For studying any A-Level, you need to have achieved five GCSEs between grades four to nine. One of these GCSEs must be GCSE English Language. However, for specific subjects that you want to study at A-Level, a grade four may not be enough. This is because a grade four is just a pass.
What is English 3 in college? ›English III Advanced Placement
This course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.
English 4 Honors is an advanced course that will study the masterworks of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to contemporary era. This course also includes intensive work on composition, including literary analysis and criticism and other expository forms.
What grade is passing in English? ›C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69% F - this is a failing grade.
What grade do you need to pass English? ›You may already know that the grade which is seen as a pass is grade 4 in the new grading system. This means that if you receive a grade 4 for English, well done! This means that you have passed. Different exam boards contain different amounts of marks in their papers.
What is taught in English 2? ›The purpose of English II is to provide a balanced language arts course that explores literary concepts, themes, and genres. This class will promote and encourage an understanding and appreciation of literature through the study of short story, poetry, drama, the novel, and historical speeches/essays.
What is English 2 honors? ›Description. English 2 Honors promotes excellence in English language arts through the study of world literature. This course provides instruction in universal themes found in world literature as well as in the critical analysis of various genres in that literature.
How can I get Grade 7 in English? ›- Use the exam to help you. ...
- Don't rush to the writing section. ...
- Familiarise yourself with a wide range of texts. ...
- Churn out all the cream of a quote! ...
- Be 'Perceptive' ...
- Research the mark schemes for GCSE English Language Past Papers.
If you don't you will receive a 'Not Classified' result. Candidates need to achieve a 9-1 grade in GCSE English Language or the endorsement can't be awarded. The endorsement can't be added on later without resitting the entire qualification.
How many marks do you need to get a grade 4 in English language? ›A grade boundary is the minimum mark you need to get a grade. For example, if the grade boundary for a Grade 5 is 122 marks, you need to get at least 122 to achieve a Grade 5. A mark of 121 would therefore be a Grade 4.
What is English 4 called? ›
Course Description
English IV (General) is a chronological study of the development of British literature through various genres including: non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and excerpts from various dramas, and novels.
AP English Language is considered moderate difficulty, with class alumnae rating it 5.2/10 for overall difficulty, making it the 16th-most-difficult out of the 28 large AP classes surveyed.
What is 10th grade English called? ›In the U.S., tenth grade is also known as sophomore year. The word sophomore is ultimately from the Greek word "sophia", meaning wisdom or knowledge. It is listed as a North American English term by the Oxford English Dictionary [1] and it means little to the majority of English speakers outside the U.S.A.