Course Descriptions and Prerequisites

These charts map out all the courses in the discipline and show the links between courses and the possible prerequisites for them. They do not attempt to depict all possible movements from course to course. Note: Dotted lines represent locally developed compulsory credit courses (LDCC), which are not outlined in the curriculum document. Dashed lines represent courses that are not outlined in this curriculum.

Compulsory Courses

Optional Courses

• English, Grade 9, De-streamed (ENL1W)
  This course enables students to continue to develop and consolidate the foundational knowledge and skills that they need for reading, writing, and oral and visual communication. Throughout the course, students will continue to enhance their media literacy and critical literacy skills, and to develop and apply transferable skills, including digital literacy. Students will also make connections to their lived experiences and to society and increase their understanding of the importance of language and literacy across the curriculum.
  • Prerequisite: None
• English, Grade 10, Academic (ENG2D)
  This course is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives. Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. This course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 university or college preparation course.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 9 English, De-streamed (2023), or Grade 9 English, Academic (2007)
• English, Grade 10, Applied (ENG2P)
  This course is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that students need for success in secondary school and daily life. Students will study and create a variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. An important focus will be on the consolidation of strategies and processes that help students interpret texts and communicate clearly and effectively. This course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 college or workplace preparation course.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 9 English, De-streamed (2023), or Grade 9 English, Academic (2007)
• Literacy Skills: Reading and Writing, Grade 10, Open (ELS2O)
  This course is designed to help students strengthen essential reading and writing skills, providing them with the extra literacy support they need in order to graduate. Students will read informational, graphic, and literary texts, with a focus on locating information, identifying main ideas and supporting details, building vocabulary, and consolidating skills in the application of key comprehension strategies. The course will also help students develop core learning strategies.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 9 English, De-streamed (2023), or Grade 9 English, Academic (2007), or a Grade 9 English LDCC (locally developed compulsory credit) course
• English, Grade 11, University (ENG3U)
  This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures, as well as a range of informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and incorporating stylistic devices appropriately and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 university or college preparation course.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic
• English, Grade 11, College (ENG3C)
  This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from Canada and other countries, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 college preparation course.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Applied
• English, Grade 11, Workplace (ENG3E)
  This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a variety of contemporary informational, graphic, and literary texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language clearly and accurately in a variety of formal and informal contexts. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 workplace preparation course.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Applied
• Canadian Literature, Grade 11, University/College (ETC3M)
  This course emphasizes the study and analysis of literary texts by Canadian authors for students with a special interest in Canadian literature. Students will study the themes, forms, and stylistic elements of a variety of literary texts representative of various time periods and of the diverse cultures and regions of Canada, and will respond personally, critically, and creatively to them.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic or Applied
• Media Studies, Grade 11, Open (EMS3O)
  This course emphasizes knowledge and skills that will enable students to understand media communication in the twenty-first century and to use media effectively and responsibly. Through analysing the forms and messages of a variety of media works and audience responses to them, and through creating their own media works, students will develop critical thinking skills, aesthetic and ethical judgement, and skills in viewing, representing, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic or Applied
• Presentation and Speaking Skills, Grade 11, Open (EPS3O)
  This course emphasizes the knowledge and skills required to plan and make effective presentations and to speak effectively in both formal and informal contexts, using such forms as reports, speeches, debates, panel discussions, storytelling, recitations, interviews, and multimedia presentations. Students will research and analyse the content and characteristics of convincing speeches and the techniques of effective speakers; design and rehearse presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences; select and use visual and technological aids to enhance their message; and assess the effectiveness of their own and others’ presentations.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic or Applied
• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, Grade 11, Open (OLC3O)
  This course is designed to help students acquire and demonstrate the cross-curricular literacy skills that are evaluated by the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students who complete the course successfully will meet the provincial literacy requirement for graduation. Students will read a variety of informational, narrative, and graphic texts and will produce a variety of forms of writing, including summaries, information paragraphs, opinion pieces, and news reports. Students will also maintain and manage a portfolio containing a record of their reading experiences and samples of their writing.
  • Prerequisite: Eligibility requirement: Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT at least twice and who have been unsuccessful at least once are eligible to take the course. (Students who have already met the literacy requirement for graduation may be eligible to take the course under special circumstances, at the discretion of the principal.)
• English, Grade 12, University (ENG4U)
  This course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University Preparation
• English, Grade 12, College (ENG4C)
  This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for college or the workplace.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, College Preparation
• English, Grade 12, Workplace (ENG4E)
  This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will analyse informational, graphic, and literary texts and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for workplace-related and practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language accurately and organizing ideas and information coherently. The course is intended to prepare students for the workplace and active citizenship.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, Workplace Preparation
• Studies in Literature, Grade 12, University (ETS4U)
  This course is for students with a special interest in literature and literary criticism. The course may focus on themes, genres, time periods, or countries. Students will analyse a range of forms and stylistic elements of literary texts and respond personally, critically, and creatively to them. They will also assess critical interpretations, write analytical essays, and complete an independent study project.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University Preparation
• The Writer’s Craft, Grade 12, University (EWC4U)
  This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyse models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use techniques required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality of their writing. They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent study project, and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University Preparation
• Studies in Literature, Grade 12, College (ETS4C)
  This course is for students with a special interest in literature. The course may focus on themes, genres, time periods, or countries. Students will study a variety of forms and stylistic elements of literary texts and respond personally, critically, and creatively to them. They will also investigate critical interpretations, and complete an independent study project.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, College Preparation
• The Writer’s Craft, Grade 12, College (EWC4C)
  This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will investigate models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to write a variety of works; and make considered decisions for improving the quality of their writing. They will also complete a creative or analytical independent study project, and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, College Preparation
• Business and Technological Communication, Grade 12, Open (EBT4O)
  This course emphasizes practical writing and communication skills that are needed in the world of business and technology. Students will analyse the characteristics of effective models of business and technical communications; gather information to write reports, business letters, memos, manuals, instructions, and brochures; and integrate graphics and text, using technology appropriately for formatting and special effects. They will also make a number of oral and visual presentations.
  • Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University, College, or Workplace Preparation
• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, Grade 12, Open (OLC4O)
  This course is designed to help students acquire and demonstrate the cross-curricular literacy skills that are evaluated by the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students who complete the course successfully will meet the provincial literacy requirement for graduation. Students will read a variety of informational, narrative, and graphic texts and will produce a variety of forms of writing, including summaries, information paragraphs, opinion pieces, and news reports. Students will also maintain and manage a portfolio containing a record of their reading experiences and samples of their writing.
  • Prerequisite: Eligibility requirement: Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT at least twice and who have been unsuccessful at least once are eligible to take the course. (Students who have already met the literacy requirement for graduation may be eligible to take the course under special circumstances, at the discretion of the principal.)