ssmities: What is the difference between English and Language Arts?
I’m a teacher applying for secondary level jobs and some jobs say English and others Language Arts and others still English Language Arts. I’ve taught overseas for the last 8 years and have never heard of language arts taught at the high school level so I’m confused.
Answers and Views:
Answer by yankeeteacher
They are basically the same but I’ll try to explain.
“English” was used for many, many years and its perception is that it is the study of the English language and that a course would include a lot of grammar.
“Language Arts” is a broader term that encompasses not just the written and reading parts of the language but the listening and speaking part as well. Language Arts includes the study of literature, such as songs, poems, novels and plays.
Think of English as an “art form” like music or paintings and you will get the idea of Language Arts. Having said that, it’s still similar to the “English” you may have had in high school.
Answer by apbanposIt usually is a matter of whether it is a 6-8/Middle level job or High school.
Traditionally in HS “English” it taught. It is focused mostly on literature although students are held to standard for composition. There is often grammar and composition instruction, however, the focus in more on the application of skills that the student should already have. English classes often focus on a particular genre or historic time – especially in upper level classes.
In a lot of Middle Schools/Jr. High the English class is called “Language Arts” but I think at this level there is little difference. I was a L.A. teacher and there really isn’t much difference except at this level there are often more skills that that are taught. It’s a little more all-encompassing covering a wide range of genre’s, historic time periods, forms, etc. as well as many aspects of language.
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