English Course Information
*All our group English courses and individual tutoring sessions are currently offered online.
Our goal at Specially 4 You Education is to instil a love for writing in all our students. We aim to inspire eager learners and reluctant writers. Over the years, we have witnessed the effectiveness of teaching students to write well, think clearly and express themselves eloquently and persuasively.
Besides reading and comprehension, we cover a variety of writing styles, starting with basic note-taking skills and progressively advancing to summaries, narratives, creative writing, report writing, essay writing, critiquing, super essays, literature analysis, research and more. Along the way, students learn to use stylistic techniques and grammar to really make their writing shine.
- All of our English course writing teachers are IEW trained (Institution of excellence in writing).
- All courses are designed to generally be covered over one year, and students can progress onto the next level, increasing in skill and complexity.
- Students are taught different English writing styles, structures and terminology. The teacher assists them with brainstorming and planning an outline, which they will use as the basis for their weekly homework. Students also have an opportunity to practice orally presenting their work.
- Students are given detailed instructions and a checklist, which make it easy to ensure everything is included in their homework. This homework is written at home and submitted prior to their next class.
- To further enhance students’ learning, their work is edited weekly by S4YE-trained proofreaders. Students receive individualised feedback, based on a belief that each child has the right to learn at their own pace in order to reach their personal best. The proofreaders work with each student as an individual. Students are not compared to each other but to their personal standard, allowing them to consistently improve their writing and excel.
Free Assessment
Before allocating your child to an English Class, we like to understand any learning areas of concern and a little about your child’s personality, to gain the best from the tutoring.
We would like for you to send us two different examples of your child’s writing. We prefer them to be unpolished and unedited pieces so we can recommend the best class for your child.
PRIMARY CLASSES
Grades 1– 6
Group Classes – Primary
Interesting and Intriguing Stories S4YE (IIS) Grades 2-3.
This entry-level writing class introduces students to fundamental writing methods used throughout our curriculum. They will develop note-taking, planning and writing skills, exploring various writing styles such as information reports, narratives, persuasive writing, procedure writing and poetry. Students will engage in brainstorming activities and use simple source texts to unlock their potential for independent writing.
All Things Fun and Fascinating IEW (AFF) Grades 3-5.
Students delve into writing with structure and style, creating humorous characters, and cunning creatures, and exploring meritorious people of history. The course covers note-taking, expository, descriptive, and persuasive writing, as well as summarising narrative stories and constructing mini-research reports.
All Around the World S4YE (AATW) Grades 4-5.
This course builds on the skills learnt and explores deeper concepts taught in prior classes. Lessons focus on fascinating people and places from all around the world. Students begin
to write multi-paragraph pieces and learn skills and techniques which will provide them with a solid foundation for their future writing. They’ll also become familiar with the clear and easily attainable structures for numerous genres of writing.
Ancient History S4YE (AH) Grades 5-6.
Ancient History – this course offers writing topics that explore the civilisations of Sumer, Egypt, Israel, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Asia Minor and Asia – their cultures, accomplishments and systems of government. Students will practice a wide variety of writing styles including expository, descriptive and response to literature – while learning more about the fascinating aspects of the ancient times.
SECONDARY CLASSES
Grades 7–12
GROUP CLASSES – SECONDARY
Medieval History IEW (MH) Grades 6-7.
Explore the lives of knights, vikings, kings, and other figures of the Middle Ages. Students engage with narratives, summarising references, essays, critiques, and textual analysis while delving into the captivating period known as The Middle Ages.
Creativity, Inventions and Text (CIT) Grades 7-8.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun” – anonymous. If you thought writing skills and science were worlds apart, think again! In this junior high course, students will uncover the stories behind inventions and inventors, blending science and writing. While exploring a variety of writing genres, students will also strengthen their research and structural skills, creating informational, persuasive, and narrative texts. Students will present their inventions in a Shark Tank-style presentation, showcasing their creativity and communication skills. We will also dive into science fiction and film, broadening their worldview through the legacy of invention.
Australia – Past and Present S4YE (APP) Grades 8-10.
This course takes students on a journey through Australia’s history from our first people to the present day. Students engage with a wide variety of writing styles and concepts, including literacy and media analysis, text analysis and creative responses with emphasis on critical thinking and writing with substance. We encounter historical and contemporary Australians who have left their mark on this country, read and respond to classic Australian poetry and debate meaningful issues that affect our country today. In the second half of the course, students read Ahn Do’s The Happiest Refugee and investigate history and culture through its lens and their own perspectives.
Gateway to Senior Year -Semester (GSY) Grades 10+ and students who have finished APP.
Moving up the ranks! The Gateway to Senior Years semester course, solidifies and expands secondary writing skills and also serves as an entry point for older students. We will dig deeper into research skills combined with informative and persuasive writing. Also covered: persuasive techniques and analysis, as well as organisational skills that support their research and planning of longer texts—skills which will serve them well in the increasingly demanding writing tasks expected of senior high school students.
In The Footsteps of Masters (IFM) For Senior Students who have finished GSY.
Great writing is a craft, and like any great artists, writers must learn through apprenticeship: practice, imitation, experimentation and growing independence. IFM
invites students to walk In the Footsteps of Masters, learning from the textual artwork of influential writers and thinkers throughout history. By imitating the masters, students fill their own writing toolboxes and hone their skills, developing a suite of writing styles and addressing a range of themes. With these tools firmly in hand, students then pursue their personal creative goals by working on their own creative projects as they bring together all that they are and all they have learned.
IFM is a new creative writing course which S4YE is delighted to be developing for our senior students to experience in Semester 1, 2025. It is in development and will be constructed through consultation with students and parents. Come join the journey as we shape not only writing but a writing course, drawing on the past to reach the future.
Business Development
Ages 15–Adult
GROUP CLASSES – BUSINESS SKILLS FOR AGES 15 TO ADULT
ONE-ON-ONE
Individual students all ages
ONE-ON-ONE ENGLISH TUTORING
Our Individualised Tutoring builds a firm foundation by filling gaps and strengthening areas of weakness. This allows our students to progress and accelerate according to their ability. We are also happy to work alongside your child’s school curriculum.