Samoa Year 11 English Course Entries

This document details course entries for the Samoa Year 11 English syllabus, based on the Ministry of Education and Culture's English Year 11 Book 1 (

Unit 1: Impromptu Speeches

This unit focuses on developing impromptu speaking skills, specifically concentrating on the theme of "relationships." Students practice giving short speeches with minimal preparation time, focusing on different types of relationships (e.g., with a grandfather, uncle, friend). The unit culminates in a class-wide impromptu speech contest.

Unit 2: The Language of Magazines and Brochures

This unit explores the language and structure of magazines and brochures. Students analyze a magazine article ("The Worry of Being Harry") to understand how language is used to convey information and engage readers. They also learn about different types of magazine content (e.g., editorials, advertisements, horoscopes). The unit also covers brochure language, focusing on persuasive and informative techniques, using "Pepe's Lagoonside Guesthouse" as an example. Students are tasked with creating their own magazine story and brochure.

Unit 3: Poems and Short Stories

This unit delves into various poems and short stories, all centered around the theme of relationships. Students analyze the lyrics of Paul McCartney's "Ebony and Ivory," exploring its message about racial harmony. Short stories studied include "The Hat," "Ma'a," "The Tissue Seller," and "A Game of Cards," each examining different facets of relationships. Poems studied include "A Farewell," "To My Grandson Oliver Maireriki: Aged One Day," "Huia Villa," "Sonnet XVIII," and "Last Run." The unit concludes with students writing their own short story and poem based on a relationship.

Unit 4: Novel Study: Island of the Blue Dolphins

This unit is dedicated to studying Scott O'Dell's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins. Students analyze the plot, setting, and characters, focusing on Karana's journey of survival and her relationship with the island's environment and its creatures. They also research related topics such as dolphins, sea otters, kelp, and the giant octopus. The unit includes creative activities like creating cave drawings depicting Karana's life and designing a travel brochure for the island.

Unit 5: Research

This unit focuses on research skills. Students work in pairs to research a chosen aspect of Samoan culture or the natural environment. They learn how to use library resources, conduct surveys using questionnaires, and conduct interviews. The unit culminates in an oral presentation of their research findings to the class.

Unit 6: Essay Writing

This unit covers essay writing, emphasizing planning, structure, and clear communication. Students analyze an example essay ("The Geography of Niue Island") and then practice planning and writing their own essays on topics related to Samoan society or global issues.

Unit 7: Comprehension

This unit focuses on reading comprehension skills. Students analyze various texts, including short stories, essays, a historical account, and a scientific article about coral reefs. They answer different types of comprehension questions, including multiple-choice, short answer, and full sentence responses.

Unit 8: Developing Vocabulary and Grammar

This unit reinforces vocabulary and grammar skills. Students work with anagrams related to family relationships and the Samoan environment. They also complete dictionary and thesaurus exercises to expand their vocabulary and understanding of word meanings and synonyms.

Unit 9: Grammar Revision

This unit reviews key aspects of English grammar, including parts of speech. Students identify parts of speech in a given paragraph and practice using vocabulary related to human relationships in sentences. They also write paragraphs describing the Samoan world using provided vocabulary.

Unit 10: Writing

This unit covers various types of writing, both personal (e.g., journals, diaries, poems) and transactional (e.g., reports, letters, recipes). Students review the writing process, emphasizing the importance of multiple drafts and revision. They engage in various writing activities, including writing a journal entry about a holiday, a diary entry about a personal experience, a description of an interesting place, a personal description of someone they have a close relationship with, a short story based on a photograph, and a poem about their world. They also practice transactional writing by composing an accident report, a job application letter, a recipe, and a sports report.

Unit 11: Newspapers

This unit explores the different components of a newspaper, including news stories, editorials, letters to the editor, cartoons, and advertisements. Students analyze an example editorial and practice writing their own editorials and letters to the editor. They also analyze and create their own cartoons.