English Life Skills Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
English Life Skills supports the education of Stage 6 students with intellectual disability. Learn more about English Life Skills, access syllabus information and teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2026
The new English Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2026.
2025
- Plan and prepare to teach English Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
2026, Term 1
- Start teaching English Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 11
- Continue to teach the English Life Skills Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2026, Term 4
- Start teaching English Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 12
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the English syllabus development page.
About the course
Students taking English Life Skills will develop effective communication and literacy skills that enhance the participation of students in all aspects of post-school life.
The English Life Skills Stage 6 course aligns with the rationale, aim and objectives of the English Stage 6 curriculum. The Life Skills outcomes and content have been developed from the English Studies and English Standard syllabuses to provide opportunities for integrated delivery.
The English Life Skills Stage 6 course focuses on the development of effective communication and literacy skills that enhance the participation of students in all aspects of post-school life.
The course emphasises the ability to communicate effectively in a range of contexts as well as access and respond to texts in different modes and media. Students are provided with opportunities to comprehend and interpret a variety of texts in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Students are also provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of the ways in which language forms and features shape meaning in texts. Students are encouraged to appreciate how our own and others’ experiences can be represented through texts.
Study in the English Life Skills Stage 6 course enables students to access information, engage in a range of recreational and leisure activities and undertake further education, training and employment.
Where appropriate, students are provided with opportunities to engage with a range of texts to assist them to broaden and develop their language skills.
The structure of the English Life Skills Stage 6 course allows for a broad and balanced program that reflects the needs of students within the context of the collaborative curriculum planning process. The modules of the English Studies and English Standard courses provide possible frameworks for addressing the English Life Skills outcomes and content and are suggestions only. The course provides flexibility to develop programs appropriate to the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of students.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Prerequisites: A student studying any Stage 6 Life Skills course will usually have completed one or more courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content in Years 7–10, except under special circumstances.
Corequisites: Nil
Eligibility: Life Skills Eligibility
Study via self-tuition: No
Exclusions:
- 11140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 11)
- 15140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 12)
- 11165 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 11)
- 15155 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 12)
- 11150 English Extension (1 unit – Year 11)
- 15160 English Extension 1 (1 unit – Year 12)
- 15170 English Extension 2 (1 unit – Year 12)
- 11130 English Standard (2 units – Year 11)
- 15130 English Standard (2 units – Year 12)
- 15125 English Studies (2 units – Year 12)
- 30105 English Studies (2 units – Year 11)
- 15126 English Studies (Exam) (2 units – Year 12)
On entering students for the English Life Skills Stage 6 course, the principal is certifying that the student is eligible and the decision is the result of the collaborative curriculum planning process.
Students are expected to address or achieve one or more of the English Life Skills Stage 6 outcomes. They need not address or complete all of the content to demonstrate achievement of an outcome
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:
What are Life Skills courses
All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Life Skills courses provide course options for students with intellectual disability or imputed intellectual disability in Years 11–12 who cannot access related general education courses.
Students with disability can access syllabus outcomes and content in a range of ways, including through a range of adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment activities. Decisions regarding curriculum options should be made in the context of collaborative curriculum planning.
Assessment support and advice
Teaching and learning support
Use these materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment. Sample materials illustrate different approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in a range of school settings. Teachers can use them without modification, change them or construct their own.
Read more about supporting students with special education needs.
The Life Skills outcomes worksheet can be used to collect information on the outcomes that a student has achieved before recording them in Schools Online.
English Life Skills outcomes worksheet Stage 6 (DOCX 20.2KB)