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The goals of the English Department are based on and in accordance with both the standards promulgated by the National Council of Teachers of English and the Massachusetts State Frameworks.
Reading and Literature
- To be able to read carefully by asking pertinent questions, by recognizing assumptions and implications, and by evaluating ideas
- To be able to read a text analytically, recognizing the relationship between form and content
- To be acquainted with a range of literature, with a variety of themes, from a variety of times, places, and cultures, and exemplifying different literary forms
- To be able to respond actively and imaginatively to literature
Writing
- To recognize that writing is a process involving a number of elements, including collecting information and formulating ideas, determining their relationships, drafting, arranging paragraphs in an appropriate order and building transitions between them, and revising what has been written
- To recognize writing as a way of understanding and clarifying ideas
- To be able to write appropriately for different occasions, audiences, and purposes
- To be skilled and assured in the use of conventions of standard written English
Language
- To understand that English, like every other language, operates according to grammatical systems and patterns of usage
- To understand that English continues to undergo change
- To recognize the influence of other languages, ancient and modern, on English
- To be aware that English has several levels of usage which are appropriate in different situations, depending on the parties communicating and the purpose of the communication
- To be aware of the variety of dialects in the English language
- To understand that English words, like those of other languages, gather meaning from their context and carry connotation
Speaking and Listening
- To be able to engage in discussion as both a speaker and a listener---interpreting, analyzing, and summarizing
- To be able to contribute to a classroom discussion in a way that is readily understood by listeners---that is, succinct and to the point
- To be able to state a position clearly and persuasively
- To be able to recognize the intention of a speaker and to be aware of the techniques a speaker uses to affect an audience
- To be able to recognize important points and to take good notes in lectures and class discussions
Media
- To be able to use and respond to the media with discernment
- To understand that electronic modes such as recording, film, television, video tape, and computers require special skills to understand their way of presenting information and expedience
- To understand the impact of technology on communication
Critical Thinking
- To develop higher level thinking skills
Other
- To be able to locate, retrieve, evaluate, and use information from electronic and print resources
- To be able to use word processing as a tool for writing