What your English teacher
wants from you
(A talk to given to Grade 10 on 23 January 2004)
You are living at a great time in your life. You
are making life-changing decisions. Already you have
chosen your school subjects for “Matric 2006”,
whatever form that may take.
English is a “Higher Grade” subject, and
that means that you will need at least 40% to pass
it. The good news is that half of your marks will
come from your oral work and from your creative and
transactional writing (“CASS Portfolio”),
which you will build up over the year. So do your
best now, start filing now, and keep filing throughout
the year!
- Bring the required books to class every day.
- Always do your homework.
- Rewrite, revise and improve your essays and notes.
- Read as much as you can – schoolbooks,
novels, newspapers, magazines.
- Criticise advertisements.
- Watch as many plays, films and TV programmes
as you can – and discuss them all with your
friends.
- Do research in the school library, and/or on
Internet websites.
- Participate intelligently in class!
The Examination
An English examination will always test more than
what you learnt in class, more than what your teacher
told you. An English examination will always be testing
what you have done yourself – how you think
about, test, add to and remember the work that you
have covered. That is your contribution!
The CASS Portfolio for Grades 10-12
What each candidate has to do. Suggestion: fill in
in pencil and update regularly!
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