At a time when political leaders and media pundits seek to narrow the English curriculum and reduce its knowledge structure to the "basics," it is helpful to revisit the potential of different approaches to learning in English that have evolved over time. In this paper I reflect on the semantic features of personal growth, cultural…

Many of Shakespeare's plays involve mythological symbolism that is fundamental to the complex web of meanings inherent in the work. Mythology is a complex symbolic metalanguage, the meaning of which has evolved over time, adapting to its socio-cultural context. In Shakespeare's "Macbeth" the witches are strongly associated with…

Garth Boomer's thinking influenced many of those working in school English during the time he was alive. The ripple effects of his legacy continue to be felt. For the author, it is Boomer's interests in metaphor and meaning that resonate most. The use of tropes and figure is a distinctive feature of his writing and offers a rich…

This paper focuses on Australian texts with Asian representations, which will be discussed in terms of Ethical Intelligence (Weinstein, 2011) explored through drama. This approach aligns with the architecture of the "Australian Curriculum: English" (AC:E, v5, 2013), in particular the general capabilities of "ethical…

Over a period of five weeks the author and her Grade 8 students immersed themselves in reading about human rights issues as they pertained to refugees. As part of the inquiry they read newspaper articles, explored website resources and the author read aloud to students, sharing vivid chapters of the wonderful book--"The Rugmaker of…

In this article, the author shares her experience during the final semester of Year 11 Theatre Studies when she performed a monologue about Hermione from "The Winter's Tale". This experience was extremely significant to her because it nearly made her lose faith in one of the most important parts of her life, drama. She believes this experience,…

Terence Rattigan is writer of psychological dramas whose unique works focus on the psychological issues and emotional conflicts of his characters. An analysis of three of Rattigan's most popular and influential works--"The Winslow Boy, Separate Tables, Ross"--highlights Rattigan's Romantic Realist focus on universal personal issues and values, the…

Outlines the author's history as an English teacher. Suggests that English teaching is not hermetic but profoundly influenced by educational trends outside the subject itself. Explains that the author's commitment to English combines a sense of engagement with a sense of liberation. (PM)

Contends that play scripts are written to be performed and that a critical response to a play should reflect the fact that the script is a blueprint for a live happening. Proposes that students need to study a play both in the theatre and as written text. Explores aspects of Shakespeare's plays as performed theatrical works. (PM)

Explains that throughout the past one hundred years, the question of how Shakespeare plays should be taught has been a point of contention in the New South Wales secondary English curriculum. Outlines the two main stances, the traditional literature-based approach and the active approach with emphasis on the text as play script. Discusses the…

Speculates about the performative aspect of Charles Marowitz's generalization regarding academically based and performance based usage of canonical or non canonical text. Defines what makes a canonical text and uses Shakespeare's "King Lear" as a vehicle for addressing ways in which performance might challenge, and seek to open out, canonical…

Takes a "snapshot" of a senior Literature class to see how all the participants--including the teacher--developed greater sophistication in their reading skills, while simultaneously cultivating their pleasure and appreciation of more challenging texts. Explores other aspects of the "interpretive community" of the classroom, including reflective…

Recounts an episode when, as young schoolboys, Prince Charles and classmates presented "Macbeth" as an end-of-term-play. Traces the events at school that took on different meanings when viewed from maturity. (NH)

Describes the methods of three eccentric teachers of Shakespeare and claims that Wordsworth, as one of those teachers, can serve as go-between in most transactions with Shakespeare. (NH)

Provides a self-help questionnaire to enable teachers to find a position for teaching Shakespeare. Explores the concept of "uses" of Shakespeare as they vary from the conventional to the curious. Reports a 75% positive result to a survey of 35 students following their study of "Hamlet" that combined the introduction of explicit theoretical…