English

Language Arts
Program of Study (K-12) Overview

Program Rationale: Language is the basis of all communication and the primary instrument of thought.
Students need to be prepared to meet new literacy demands in Canada and the world. The ability to use
language effectively enhances a students opportunities to experience personal satisfaction and to
become responsible, contributing citizens and lifelong learners (p.1).
Philosophy: The aim of English Language Arts is to enable each student to understand and appreciate
language and to use it confidently and competently in a variety of situations for communication,
personal satisfaction and learning. All language arts are interrelated and interdependent; facility in one
strengthens and supports the others (p.2).
Key Content:

5 General Learning Outcomes (GLOs) serve as the foundation for this program of studies. They
are broken down into subheadings as follows: (for further information see POS(K-9) p. 3-4)

o Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas,
feelings and experiences.
1.1
Discover and explore
1.2
Clarify and extend

o Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond
personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.
2.1
Use strategies and cues
2.2
Respond to texts
2.3
Understand forms, elements and techniques
2.4
Create original texts

o Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and
information.
3.1
Plan and focus
3.2
Select and process
3.3
Organize, record and evaluate
3.4
Share and review

o Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and
artistry of communication.
4.1
Enhance and improve
4.2
Attend to conventions
4.3
Present and share

o Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and
collaborate with others.
5.1
Respect others and strengthen community
5.2
Work within a group

Each GLO is then broken down into side headings to organize the Specific Learning Outcomes
(SLOs). Specific outcome statements expected by the end of each grade are then listed under
each grade. (For further information see POS(K-9) p.5 for a visual representation.)

o EXAMPLE: Under GLO 1.1 Discover and Explore, K-9 have the sub heading: Express
ideas and develop understanding. The Grade 2 column then states the first SLO as
follows: Contribute relevant ideas and information from personal experiences to group
language activities. Whereas, under the same sub heading, the Grade 9 students needs
to also Express ideas and develop understanding, but their SLO states they must talk
with others and experience a variety of oral, print and other media texts to explore,
develop and justify own opinions and points of view. (see POS(K-9) p.8,11)

o EXAMPLE: Under GLO 4.2 Attend to Conventions, K-9 have the sub heading: Attend to
grammar and usage. The Grade 2 column then states the SLOs, one being: identify
adjectives and adverbs that add interest and detail to stories. Whereas, under the same
sub heading, the Grade 6 students need to also Attend to grammar and usage, but a
SLO states they must identify past, present and future verb tenses, and use throughout
piece of writing. (see POS(K-9) p.74,76)


The Program of Studies addresses each GLO for grades K-9 respectively, before moving on to the
next GLO. (GLO 1.1 Discover and Explore is applied to grades K-9 with SLOs, then GLO 1.2 Clarify
and Extend is applied to grades K-9 with SLOs, then GLO 2.1 is addressed, etc.)

The Program of Studies for Grades 10-12 apply the same GLOs; however, they have more
specific and numerous subheadings (For more information refer to POS (Senior High) p. 12 for a
detailed program outline.)

The Program of Studies for Grades 10-12 also outlines specifics regarding minimal requirements
for text creation and study. (For more information refer to POS (Senior High) p.9-11 for a
detailed chart.)

Relevant Links:

Alberta Ed: Programs of Study https://education.alberta.ca/programs-of-study/programs-of-study

Program of Study ELA K-9: https://education.alberta.ca/media/160360/ela-pos-k-9.pdf
Program of Study ELA 10-12: https://education.alberta.ca/media/160418/ela-pos-10-12.pdf