Language in all forms is essential to our humanity and is an integral part of all phases of the learning process. People use language to interact with others and to communicate ideas and feelings. It is therefore important that students develop readings, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing competencies through experiences with a wide variety of materials and genre in order to function effectively and to live fully.
In alignment with Portland High School's academic expectations for student learning, students in English classes will communicate effectively through oral, written, visual, artistic, and technical modes of expression. Students will also develop the necessary "habits of mind" needed to engage those higher orders of critical thinking that literacy analysis requires. All students are required to take four full years of English. In addition, the department offers elective courses that provide students additional opportunities for speaking and writing.
English Courses:
English 9
English 10/American Literature
English 11/American Studies
English 12/World Literature
Semester Electives:
Creative Writing
Public Speaking
