ENGLISH – PROGRAMME SUBJECT IN PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIALIZATION IN GENERAL STUDIES (ENG4-01)

Laid down as a regulation by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training on 31 March 2006, as delegated in a letter of 26 September 2005 from the Ministry of Education and Research pursuant to the Act of 17 July 1998 no. 61 relating to primary and secondary education (Education Act) Section 3-4 first paragraph.

Gjelder fra: 2006-08-01T00:00:00 +2

Gjelder til: 2022-07-31T00:00:00 +2

Purpose

English is one of the most widespread foreign languages. It is used as a national language and is the language of communication between and amongst people with different mother tongues and different cultural backgrounds. The international news media and certain players in music, film and other cultural outlets often use English. Thus proficiency in English provides access to sources of information and to international culture and social life.

Insight into the history of the English-speaking countries is important for understanding the processes that account for the global spread of the English language and of Anglo-American culture. For centuries, Britain and the United States occupied a key position in world society, both politically and culturally. With these countries as a point of departure, the programme subject shall make it possible to understand key features of global issues in society and international current affairs.

Both in Norway and abroad, English is used within higher education, in the sciences and in working life. The ability to participate in social life and working life, both nationally and internationally, is becoming increasingly dependent on having a command of English at an advanced high level. Because English is used worldwide in all cultures, intercultural competence is a natural and necessary aspect of language skills. The programme subject can help increase one’s insight into other people’s living conditions, outlook on life and cultural expression, thus opening doors to the many countries and cultures that use English.

English is both a utilitarian subject and educationally universal. For the individual, having a good command of a language can bolster one’s self-confidence and sense of security and help one’s development in a variety of situations. English literature and other cultural expressions can be a wellspring of experience, satisfaction and personal growth. The programme subject’s broad approach to culture and society in the English-speaking world shall develop one’s skills in critical analysis and reflection.

The programme subject is wide and shall therefore provide multidisciplinary skills, in addition to language skills. The programme subject is unified; the various skills are integrated and are part of a context. A necessary part of the work with developing one’s English skills is to define one’s own language skills and develop learning strategies that can provide a platform for life-long language learning.

Structure

The programme subject English comprises three programme subjects: International English, Social Studies English and English literature and culture. Social English and English literature and culture can be taken independently of each other; both build on International English.

Programme subject	Main subject areas
International English	Language and language learning	Communication	Culture, society and literature
Social Studies English	Language and language learning	Communication	Culture, society and literature
English literature and culture	Language and language learning	Communication	Culture, society and literature

Main subject areas

Language and language learning

International English

The main subject area deals with knowledge of the English language and with various strategies for promoting personal language learning. It includes the knowledge of fundamental characteristics of English usage, as well as varieties of English outside the Anglo-American core area. Furthermore, it involves knowledge about the way language is constructed at the sentence and text level and an awareness of linguistic tools in a variety of genres. It involves a development of language skills, with an awareness of one’s own learning goals and strategies.

Social Studies English

The main subject area deals with knowledge of the English language and the selection and evaluation of various strategies for promoting personal language learning. It includes knowledge and basic characteristics of English usage and the relationship between language, culture and society, and the application of linguistic tools for different types of texts. Evaluating one’s own language learning in terms of a set of goals is also included in the main subject area.

English literature and culture

The main subject area deals with knowledge about the English language and the choosing and assessment of different strategies for promoting personal language learning. It includes the knowledge of fundamental characteristics of English usage, as well as the relationship between language, culture and society, and the use of linguistic tools and stylistic devices in literary texts. An evaluation of one’s own language learning in terms of a set of goals is also included in the main subject area.

Communication

International English

The main subject area deals with the understanding and communication of meaning through language. It includes the development of written and oral language skills. The main subject area also covers the way texts are put together and communication through texts that contain text, sound, images and movement – called composite texts – and through the development of terminology and a general vocabulary within specific subject areas. The adaptation of usage to differing social, cultural and professional situations is a key aspect of the main subject area.

Social Studies English

The main subject area deals with the communication of meaning by means of language. It is about the development of written and oral language skills, and about building a well-developed, nuanced vocabulary so that one can communicate about social issues. Communication also involves precise and coherent expression in a number of oral and written genres, including composite texts. The adaptation of usage to different social and cultural situations is included in the main subject area.

English literature and culture

Culture, society and literature

International English

The main subject area deals with key themes related to international cooperation, cultural understanding, literature, different kinds of media and cultural expressions drawn from the English-speaking world. It is concerned with challenges facing international society, and with communication that spans cultural distinctions and dissimilar value systems.

Social Studies English

The main subject area deals with key issues related to culture and society in the English-speaking world, and covers factual prose, literature and other cultural expressions. It deals with political, social and economic circumstances in a number of English-speaking countries, with an emphasis on Great Britain and the United States. It also covers historical events and processes that have affected the development of society in Great Britain and the United States. Furthermore, it is concerned with current issues and regional and international conflicts in the English-speaking world.

English literature and culture

The main subject area deals with key issues related to literature and culture in the English-speaking world, and includes literary texts and other artistic means of expression, such as visual art, theatre, music and architecture from various time periods and different parts of the world. It is about the relationship between text, culture and society. In addition, the main subject area covers historical processes that have led to the spread of the English language and Anglo-American culture, as well as current issues in international culture and the world of news.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours are in given in 60-minute units.

International English: 140 teaching hours per year

Social English: 140 teaching hours per year

English literature and culture: 140 teaching hours per year

Basic skills

Basic skills are integrated in the competence aims where they contribute to the development of and are an integral part of the subject competence. In the English programme subject, basic skills are understood as follows:

Being able to express oneself orally and in writing in English involves the use of language in a nuanced, precise manner with a view to developing one’s English language skills. These skills are an important tool in the quest to understand and use English in ever more varied and demanding contexts that span special fields and cultures. It involves broad textual skills, which in turn involves communicating by means of dissimilar written and oral genres and stylistic registers. Oral skills involve the ability to understand spoken texts of varying length and complexity. Furthermore, it involves understanding different varieties of English, and being able to converse in English in language that is appropriate to the situation.

Being able to read in English involves understanding, exploring and pondering demanding texts, thereby gaining insight across cultures and special fields. This is an integral part of practical language skills. It also involves the ability to choose a reading strategy suited to the intended purpose.

Numeracy in English involves supplementing one’s arithmetical skills in one’s native language with the necessary expressions in English. The ability to utilize information from graphs, tables and statistics is important in the understanding of English texts and for being able to communicate about specialist subjects.

Being able to use digital tools in English involves the authentic use of English, and paves the way for additional forms of communication and learning arenas. In many contexts, English-language skills are a prerequisite for being able to exploit new tools for extracting information for use in specialist contexts. Source criticism, copyright and personal protection are all key concerns in the digital arena.