Test-English
English learning area contacts:
- Gerard Morris : +61 8 92736742 | Gerard.Morris@scsa.wa.edu.au
- Leanne Bondin : +61 8 92736374 | Leanne.Bondin@scsa.wa.edu.au
- Anthony Phillips : +61 8 92736782 | Anthony.Phillips@scsa.wa.edu.au
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ATAR
The English ATAR course focuses on developing students’ analytical, creative, and critical thinking and communication skills in all language modes, encouraging students to critically engage with texts from their contemporary world, the past, and from Australian and other cultures. Through close study and wide reading, viewing and listening, students develop the ability to analyse and evaluate the purpose, stylistic qualities and conventions of texts and to enjoy creating imaginative, interpretive, persuasive and analytical responses in a range of written, oral, multimodal and digital forms.
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General
The English General course focuses on consolidating and refining the skills and knowledge needed by students to become competent, confident and engaged users of English in everyday, community, social, further education, training and workplace contexts. The course is designed to provide students with the skills to succeed in a wide range of post-secondary pathways by developing their language, literacy and literary skills. Students comprehend, analyse, interpret, evaluate and create analytical, imaginative, interpretive and persuasive texts in a range of written, oral, multimodal and digital forms.
SyllabusWhat's changingGradingSupport MaterialsSupport Materials: Eight Task ModelsSupport Materials: For Schools with Combined Foundation and General ClassesExternally Set Task Materials 2026Externally Set Task Materials 2025Externally Set Task Materials 2024Externally Set Task Materials 2023Externally Set Task Materials 2022Externally Set Task Materials 2021Externally Set Task Materials 2020Externally Set Task Materials 2019Externally Set Task Materials 2018Externally Set Task Materials 2017Externally Set Task Materials 2016 -
Foundation
The English Foundation course aims to develop students’ skills in reading, writing, viewing, speaking and listening in work, learning, community and everyday personal contexts. This course is for students who have not demonstrated the literacy standard in the OLNA. Such development involves an improvement in English literacy, where literacy is defined broadly to include reading ability, verbal or spoken literacy, the literacy involved in writing, and visual literacy. Students undertaking this course will develop skills in the use of functional language conventions, including spelling, punctuation and grammar. Good literacy skills are required for comprehending and producing texts; for communicating effectively in a learning or working environment, or within a community; or for self-reflection; and for establishing one’s sense of individual worth.
SyllabusGradingSupport MaterialsSupport Materials: For Schools with Combined Foundation and General ClassesExternally Set Task Materials 2026Externally Set Task Materials 2025Externally Set Task Materials 2024Externally Set Task Materials 2023Externally Set Task Materials 2022Externally Set Task Materials 2021Externally Set Task Materials 2020Externally Set Task Materials 2019Externally Set Task Materials 2018Externally Set Task Materials 2017 -
Preliminary
The English Preliminary course focuses on the fundamental skills that support language use. Language use plays a central role in human life: it provides a vehicle for communication and independence. Students study language through the use of receptive and expressive communication. Receptive skills can include reading, comprehending, listening and/or viewing. Expressive skills can include writing, speaking, acting, signing, gesturing and/or creating multimodal texts. The course recognises the diversity of the student population and builds on students’ knowledge of how language works and how to use language in a variety of forms and situations. An understanding of how to use language empowers students: it gives them access to knowledge, enables them to play an active part in society and contributes to their personal growth.
Syllabus Review
The Authority is reviewing the ATAR and General syllabuses. For further information, please contact:
Max Leech
Manager, Curriculum and Assessment
Note: this syllabus review intersects with the WACE Refreshment considering the form and function of English. Establishing teacher views of the current syllabus and updates to the Rationales and aims and statements of General capabilities is a part of this process.
- Use the link below to complete the consultation survey.
- Public Consultation Feedback for English ATAR and General Syllabuses 2025