English Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
The English Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) is for students in Stage 6. Find out more about the syllabus and access teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2026
The new English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2026.
2025
- Plan and prepare to teach English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
2026, Term 1
- Start teaching English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the English Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2026, Term 4
- Start teaching English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2027
- First HSC examination for English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the English syllabus development page.
About the course
In Extension 1, students extend their understanding of the ways that texts contribute to their awareness of the diversity of ideas, attitudes and perspectives evident in texts. In Extension 2, students undertake independent investigation to develop a sustained composition and document this process in their Major Work Journal and Reflection Statement.
The English Extension course provides students who undertake Advanced English and are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to extend their use of language and self-expression in creative and critical ways. The course is designed for students with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue specialised study of English.
Through engaging with increasingly complex concepts through a broad range of literature, from a range of contexts, students refine their understanding and appreciation of the cultural roles and the significance of texts and about the way that literature shapes and reflects the global world.
The English Extension 2 course enables students who are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to craft language and refine their personal voice in critical and creative ways. They can master skills in the composition process to create a substantial and original Major Work that extends the knowledge, understanding and skills developed throughout Stage 6 English courses. Through the creative process they pursue areas of interest independently, develop deep knowledge and manipulate language in their own extended compositions. The course develops independent and collaborative learning skills and higher-order critical thinking that are essential at tertiary levels of study and in the workplace.
Year 11
In the English Extension Year 11 course, students explore the ways in which aspects and concerns of texts from the past have been carried forward, borrowed from and/or appropriated into more recent culture. They consider how and why cultural values are maintained and changed.
The course has one mandatory module: Texts, Culture and Value as well as a related research project.
Year 12
English Extension 1
In the English Extension 1 Year 12 course, students explore, investigate, experiment with and evaluate the ways texts represent and illuminate the complexity of individual and collective lives in literary worlds.
The course has one common module, Literary Worlds, with five associated electives. Students must complete one elective chosen from one of the five electives offered for study.
The electives are
- Literary Homelands
- Worlds of Upheaval
- Reimagined Worlds
- Literary Mindscapes
- Intersecting Worlds
English Extension 2
In the English Extension 2 Year 12 course, students develop a sustained composition, and document their reflection on this process.
The course requires students to undertake a composition process in order to complete a Major Work and Reflection Statement.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 11150 English Extension (1 unit – Year 11)
- 15160 English Extension 1 (1 unit – Year 12)
- 15170 English Extension 2 (1 unit – Year 12)
Prerequisites:
- 11150 English Extension (1 unit – Year 11) prerequisite for English Extension 1 in Year 12
- 15160 English Extension 1 (1 unit – Year 12) prerequisite for English Extension 2
Corequisites:
- 11140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 11)
- 15140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 12)
Eligibility: Nil
Study via self-tuition: Yes
Exclusions:
- 11165 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 11)
- 15155 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 12)
- 11130 English Standard (2 units – Year 11)
- 15130 English Standard (2 units – Year 12)
- 30105 English Studies (2 units – Year 11)
- 15125 English Studies (2 units – Year 12)
- 15126 English Studies (Exam) (2 units – Year 12)
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Across Stage 6 the selection of texts should give students experience of the following as appropriate:
- texts which are widely regarded as quality literature, including a range of literary texts written about intercultural experiences and the peoples and cultures of Asia
- a range of Australian texts, including texts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander authors and those that give insights into diverse experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- a range of types of text drawn from prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, media, multimedia and digital texts
- integrated modes of reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and representing as appropriate.
Year 11 course
Text requirements
Teachers prescribe ONE text from the past and its manifestations in one or more recent cultures.
Students select ONE text and its manifestations in one or more recent cultures. Students research a range of texts as part of their independent project.
For the English Extension Year 11 course students are required to:
- complete 60 indicative hours
- undertake study of the common module
- undertake the related independent research project.
Year 12 course
English Extension 1 – Text requirements
The study of at least THREE texts must be selected from a prescribed text list for the module study including at least TWO extended print texts.
Students are required to study at least TWO related texts.
For the English Extension 1 Year 12 course students are required to:
- complete the Year 11 English Extension course as a prerequisite
- complete 60 indicative hours
- undertake study of ONE elective option from the common modules.
English Extension 2 – Text requirements
Students undertake extensive independent investigation involving a range of complex texts during the composition process and document this in their Major Work Journal and Reflection Statement.
For the English Extension 2 Year 12 course students are required to:
- be undertaking study of the Year 12 English Extension 1 course
- complete 60 indicative hours
- complete a Major Work and Reflection Statement
- document coursework in a Major Work Journal.
The selection of texts will depend on the Major Work form and will be appropriate to the purpose, audience and context of the composition
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways. Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
English prescriptions
The document English Stage 6 Prescriptions: Modules, Electives and Texts 2019–2026 provides essential information about texts prescribed for HSC study for all English courses.
Related support materials have been developed to assist teachers with the selection of texts.
Assessment and exam information and support
Teaching and learning support
Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.
- English Extension Stage 6 (Year 11) – sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 17.71KB)
- English Extension Stage 6 (Year 11) – sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 14.94KB)
- English Extension 1 Stage 6 (Year 12) – sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 18.32KB)
- English Extension 1 Stage 6 (Year 12) – sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 18.3KB)
- English Extension 2 Stage 6 (Year 12) – sample assessment schedule (DOCX 16.63KB)
- English Extension Stage 6 (Year 11) - sample formal assessment task: Module: Text, Culture and Value - Sample A (DOCX 22.96KB)
- English Extension Stage 6 (Year 11) - sample formal assessment task: Module: Text, Culture and Value - Sample B (DOCX 25.23KB)
- English Extension Stage 6 (Year 11) - sample formal assessment task: Module: Text, Culture and Value - Sample C (DOCX 22.7KB)
- English Extension 2 Stage 6 (Year 12) - sample formal assessment task: Viva Voce (DOCX 45.9KB)
- English Extension 2 Stage 6 (Year 12) - sample formal assessment task: Literature Review (DOCX 26.93KB)
- English Extension 2 Stage 6 (Year 12) - sample formal assessment task: Critique of the Creative Process (DOCX 25.72KB)