The members of the Saint Viator English department, professionals with a variety of academic backgrounds, personal philosophies, and teaching styles, unite to provide a curriculum, which develops for each student a foundation in the language arts. Recognizing that English language skills are the core of the student’s educational program, the English department develops each student’s ability as reader, writer, thinker, and speaker. English language skills are presented as necessary to both personal survival in an increasingly complex society and to an appreciation of oneself and one’s place in our culture.

The department’s curriculum has as its central focus the individual student and his/her development. Writing assignments and their evaluations, literature selections, teaching approaches, and the variety of courses offered reflect the department’s belief in the importance of the individual student.

Instructors follow the 6 + 1 Traits model of writing in their teaching, which is endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of English. This program emphasizes ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions and presentation. All students will become versed in these terms and in their usage, while they work at developing their writing portfolios over the course of four years. Studies in grammar and usage are integrated throughout the writing process as students learn to write effectively and confidently.

The Writing Lab helps students reinforce these skills. The lab provides students the opportunity for one-on-one conferencing on writing assignments for all academic classes. Students are also encouraged to use technology in their written and oral presentations.

Ultimately, the English department’s primary goal is to challenge each student academically while fostering an enduring commitment to honor, achievement and service to humanity.