English Standard is one of the core HSC subjects that focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. This blog post covers key information about the HSC English Standard course for the HSC curriculum, to help students considering this subject make informed choices.
What is HSC English Standard?
HSC English Standard is one of the English courses available to students in Years 11 and 12 in NSW. It is suited to students who are interested in exploring and responding to a variety of texts across different contexts.
HSC English Standard focuses on developing students' language, literacy and critical thinking skills. Students learn to communicate ideas effectively and express themselves creatively. The course covers a range of language modes and text types like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, film, media, and digital texts.
The HSC English Standard course emphasises:
- Reading and responding to texts in various genres like novels, plays, poems, films, and media texts.
- Analysing how language is used to create meaning and influence readers.
- Developing writing skills for imaginative, interpretive, analytical, and persuasive texts.
- Crafting and delivering speeches.
- Engaging in creative and critical thinking.
The HSC English Standard course aims to develop confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens who appreciate literature and its context. It serves as excellent preparation for future education and employment pathways.
In the HSC the only compulsory subject students have to complete is English. English Standard is the most basic English subject offered in the HSC.
Why Study HSC English Standard?
There are many great reasons to study HSC English Standard in NSW:
Develops Valuable Skills
Studying English Standard develops skills that are useful in everyday life:
- Reading and comprehension - Understanding different types of texts
- Writing - Communicating thoughts clearly through writing
- Speaking - Articulating ideas verbally in speeches and discussions
- Creative thinking - Coming up with original ideas and perspectives
- Analysis - Breaking down and critically examining ideas and arguments
Prepares for Many Career Paths
The skills developed in English Standard are applicable across a wide range of careers including:
- Trades and vocations
- Retail, sales, and service industries
- Administrative roles and office work
- Government sectors like police, healthcare, etc.
Foundation for Further Study
English Standard establishes critical language and literacy skills for many post-school study pathways like:
- TAFE certificates and diplomas
- Apprenticeships and trainee-ships
- Vocational education courses
Engaging Course Content
The content covered in English Standard deals with relatable themes and culturally diverse perspectives. Students analyse texts in a range of contemporary mediums like:
- Films
- Songs
- Newspapers
- Digital media
- Graphic novels
- Young adult fiction
This makes the course interesting and engaging for teenage learners.
Caters to Different Learning Styles
With a focus on speaking, reading, writing, and listening - English Standard accommodates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. The variety of assessment methods also allows students to demonstrate skills in ways suited to their strengths.
Supports the HSC Minimum Standard
Achieving the minimum standard in English is necessary for attaining the HSC credential. English Standard helps equip students with core English competencies needed to meet this requirement.
What topics are covered in English Standard?
Year 11 topics
In Year 11, you will cover three major modules in English Standard (source: English Standard Stage 6 Syllabus 2017)
Reading to Write: Transition to Senior English
This module focuses on close reading and analysis of quality texts in different modes and media. Students develop skills to understand, appreciate, and evaluate complex ideas in texts. A key focus is building capacity to respond thoughtfully through writing and reflection. Engaging thematically, students critique texts and respond imaginatively.
Through studying varied, challenging texts, students gain insights, deepen understanding of themselves and others, and enhance enjoyment of reading. Students also strengthen written expression, applying language skills precisely and creatively.
Contemporary Possibilities
This module focuses on studying digital, multimedia, and nonlinear texts. Students analyse how communication technologies shape reading, navigation, understanding, and response. Through examining complex multi-modal texts like films or interactive narratives, students appreciate the creative possibilities of evolving tech for communication and representation.
Students also explore composing their own multi-modal texts, gaining skills in utilising language, visual and aural devices while understanding ethical digital footprint. Analysing and creating diverse contemporary text forms develops multi-literacy skills for a technology-driven world.
Close Study of Literature
This module focuses on close study and analysis of a substantial literary print text like a prose fiction, drama, or poetry. Through examining the entire text, students develop understanding of how language, structure, and style shape meaning in literary forms. Students identify ideas and conventions, analysing how the author uses and manipulates them.
Students strengthen skills in critical analysis and creative response as they articulate personal interpretations. Engaging with the literary text enhances enjoyment and develops clear, cohesive expression of analysis using appropriate writing conventions.
Year 12 topics
In Year 12, you will cover four major modules in English Standard (source: English Standard Stage 6 Syllabus 2017)
Texts and Human Experiences
This module examines how texts represent human experiences and qualities through language. Students analyse how storytelling offers insight into human behaviour and motivations. By studying a prescribed text and related short texts, students evaluate how context, purpose, structure and language shape meaning and representation.
Through response and composition, students develop skills interpreting complex texts in different modes/media and using devices to articulate analysis. The module develops understanding of how texts connect personal, textual and wider worlds.
Language, Identity and Culture
This module examines how texts shape individual and collective identity. Students analyse how language affirms, challenges, or disrupts assumptions about self, individuals, and cultural groups. Through studying prescribed texts, students evaluate how meaning about identity and culture is communicated through forms, conventions, structures and features.
Students strengthen skills in analysis, argumentation, and self-expression. Composing imaginative texts explores representations of identity and culture. The module develops understanding of how language reflects and shapes perceptions of self and others.
Close Study of Literature
This module focuses on close study and analysis of a substantial prescribed literary text. Students develop personal responses and explore the distinct ideas, characteristics, and language features that establish the text's unique qualities. Through extensive interpretation, students appreciate how the interplay of ideas, forms, and language affect response.
Students strengthen skills in expressing complex analysis and crafting creative responses that convey an informed personal interpretation of the text's meaning and significance. Deep engagement with the literary work enhances understanding and enjoyment.
The Craft of Writing
This module strengthens students' knowledge, skills, and confidence as writers for authentic purposes and audiences. By analysing challenging short prescribed texts, students examine how language is used creatively and precisely. Studying quality models inspires students' own writing and powers the development of ideas and expression.
Students apply understanding of language, experimenting with forms and features during drafting and revising stages. The writing process enables sophisticated shaping of meaning and crafting of sustained compositions. Students refine syntactic, spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills for publication.
What skills/capabilities are required to do English Standard?
To succeed in the HSC English Standard course in New South Wales, students require the following skills and capabilities:
- Reading and comprehension skills - Students need to be able to understand, analyse and interpret a variety of texts including novels, plays, poems, articles, films, media texts etc.
- Writing skills - Students are required to produce imaginative, analytical, persuasive and creative writing in different forms. For example, narratives, essays, reviews, speeches, letters, transcripts etc. Strong spelling, grammar and vocabulary are essential.
- Critical thinking - Students need analytical skills to critique texts, examine themes and arguments, and evaluate perspectives.
- Research skills - Independent research is required to investigate themes, gather evidence and develop analysis. Students need to synthesise material from different sources.
- Oral communication - Students have to deliver speeches and participate in class discussions. Confident verbal expression is important.
- Time management and organisation - Managing study workload and meeting assessment deadlines is crucial. Organisation skills help process large amounts of content.
- Creative thinking - Students have to craft imaginative texts and produce original ideas in creative forms. An artistic flair can be beneficial.
What type of students should do English Standard?
HSC English Standard is suitable for students who:
- Have average to good English language and literacy skills. Standard English has less complex course content than Advanced English.
- Are interested in vocational education and training pathways after school, such as TAFE diplomas. Standard English meets the English admission requirements for most TAFE courses.
- Want to improve their literacy skills in a more supportive environment compared to Advanced English. Standard has smaller class sizes.
- Prefer a more practical English course focused on real-world application of skills like communication, rather than abstract analysis and critical theory.
- Achieved between a C to B grade in Year 10 Standard English. Students who achieved an A in Standard should consider Advanced English.
- Are planning to enter the workforce directly after school in trades, retail, hospitality etc. English Standard gives a solid grounding in literacy skills for the workplace.
💡 The Standard course can suit diverse learners but still has academic rigour. It focuses less on advanced literary analysis compared to the Advanced course. The assessment components are more practical in nature.
How is English Standard assessed?
In the HSC English Standard course, students are assessed through a combination of school-based assessments and external HSC examinations.
Internal assessments (50% of total mark)
1. 4 assessment tasks set by the school that assess reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing skills. This includes:
- Critical essay and reflection - 25%
- Multi-modal presentation - 25%
2. School-based assessments allow students to demonstrate skills in context. Examiners look for clear expression of ideas, depth of analysis and use of textual evidence.
source: Assessment and Reporting in English Standard Stage 6
External assessments (50% of total mark)
1. HSC examination - 40%
- Paper 1 - Common module (1 hour)
- Paper 2 - Module A, B, C (2 hours)
- Exams assess analytical and creative writing skills under exam conditions. Students analyse unseen texts and compose responses.
2. HSC moderated speaking task - 10%
- Assesses formal presentation and interaction skills
source: Assessment and Reporting in English Standard Stage 6
The school marks are moderated based on the exam results. English Standard exams tend to get scaled upwards as students often perform better in their school assessments compared to the external exams.
Here are some links to past HSC exams:
Tips to succeed in English Standard
- Read widely - Develop your vocabulary and analysis skills by reading diverse texts including novels, newspapers, magazines, blogs etc.
- Practise essay writing - Try writing practice essays and text responses under timed conditions. Work on conciseness, analysis and use of evidence.
- Learn essay structures - Understand structures like PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) to logically build your essay arguments.
- Manage your time - Set aside enough time for reading texts and preparing for assessments. Don't leave tasks to the last minute.
- Participate in class - Discussing texts in class will help you form ideas and clarify interpretations. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Head here for additional study techniques to enhance your understanding and excel in English Standard.
- Improve editing skills - Proofread your work carefully. Learn to self-edit for spelling, grammar and clear expression.
- Study notes and samples - Review your class notes and read high-scoring student samples to see what is expected.
- Prepare for exams - Try past exam papers under exam conditions. Learn how to break down questions and structure responses.
- Balance study and well-being - Don't sacrifice sleep, nutrition, exercise and social time. Take regular breaks during study.
- Seek feedback - Ask your teacher for specific feedback on drafts and areas you can improve. Implement their advice.
- Believe in yourself - Stay motivated! English skills take time and practice to develop. Don't compare yourself to others.
We have put together a guide with 500+ metalanguage terms for HSC students. Examiners consistently emphasise that proficiency in metalanguage is critical to doing well in your exams.
What resources are available for English Standard?
There are many useful resources to help students succeed in HSC English Standard:
- Textbooks - Such as the Pearson English Standard textbook and study guide, which contain course information, sample texts, practice questions and exam tips.
- Notes and study guides - There are detailed notes, study guides and summaries from publishers like Excel, PASCAL Press and Matrix.
- Past papers - NESA provides official past exam papers and marking guidelines for all HSC subjects. Great for exam practice.
- Websites - English focused sites like HSCninja, ATARnotes and Art of Text have notes, essays, podcasts and quizzes.
- Tutoring services - Such as Apex Tuition Australia, where experienced tutors provide personalised coaching focused on exam technique and skill development.
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