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Year 8 Tutoring

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What our Year 8 English students will develop

Solid foundation

Gain a thorough understanding

Learn how to weave your ideas into your writing. Gain a thorough knowledge of all topics from the NSW Board of Studies Year 8 English Syllabus.

Essential skills

Develop creative thinking skills

Read thought-provoking texts. Develop your analytical skills by answering questions that engage your in the ideas central to English

No more memorising

Boost your confidence

Apply your English skills in school assessments. With the best tools and support on your side there’s nothing to fear!

English Theory Book

150+ pages of easy to understand concepts and examples.

English Homework

Develop your confidence! Practice your writing and receive feedback from your teacher.

English Quizzes

Intended to assess newly learned knowledge and skills - a great way to track your progress!

English Theory Book

English Homework

English Quizzes

English Workshops

End of Term English Topic Test

Take a Sneak Peek

English Workshops

Help is at hand! With one-on-one support, you can overcome any roadblocks in your learning.

End of Term English Topic Test

Review your understanding at the end of the term. Performed under strict exam style conditions in preparation for school assessments.

Matrix is one term ahead of the NSW school curriculum

Our 2018 Year 8 English Program

Matrix Term 1

Oct - Dec

Journalism and Poetry

Stereotypes

Feature Articles

Poetry in-depth

Matrix Term 2

Feb - Apr

Texts Through Time

Traditional Stories

Prose Narrative

Film

Matrix Term 3

Apr - Jun

Representation and Perspective

The Military

Consumerism

Gender

Australian Fiction

Matrix Term 4

Jul - Sep

Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

Values in Shakespeare’s Time

Oct - Dec

Journalism and Poetry

Stereotypes

Feature Articles

Poetry in-depth

Feb - Apr

Texts Through Time

Traditional Stories

Prose Narrative

Film

Apr - Jun

Representation and Perspective

The Military

Consumerism

Gender

Australian Fiction

Jul - Sep

Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

Values in Shakespeare’s Time

Our proven formula for success

The Matrix Method for English^TM

Understanding (60% of Course Time)
Step 1. Comprehension
Reading for understanding is the first step in building towards to great written submission. Read the set text once to appreciate it.
Step 2. Meaning
Reading and annotating a text is fundamental preparation for your written submission! You're looking for themes, symbols, and moments of ambiguity.
Step 3. Analysis
This third reading will take the longest. This is your close reading where you mark up the important examples and identify techniques based upon your intimate understanding of the text.
Writing (40% of Course Time)
Step 4. Plan and scaffold
Consider the question, consult your text, and plan your answer. A written scaffold will save you time and allows you to check your logic!
Step 5. First draft
This is your first write up – and it will be rough! Have the text close by to check the evidence. Let your draft sit for a day and edit your writing with fresh eyes.
Step 6. Seek feedback
Once you’re satisfied with your first draft, it’s time to get your teacher to read your work. Consider their comments and corrections carefully.
Step 7. Polished work
Return to the text (yes, more reading!). Rewrite your draft incorporating feedback and your own expanded understanding.

Step 1

Comprehension

Reading for understanding is the first step in building towards to great written submission. Read the set text once to appreciate it.

Step 2

Meaning

Reading and annotating a text is fundamental preparation for your written submission! You're looking for themes, symbols, and moments of ambiguity.

Step 3

Analysis

This third reading will take the longest. This is your close reading where you mark up the important examples and identify techniques based upon your intimate understanding of the text.

Step 4

Plan and scaffold

Consider the question, consult your text, and plan your answer. A written scaffold will save you time and allows you to check your logic!

Step 5

First draft

This is your first write up – and it will be rough! Have the text close by to check the evidence. Let your draft sit for a day and edit your writing with fresh eyes.

Step 6

Seek feedback

Once you’re satisfied with your first draft, it’s time to get your teacher to read your work. Consider their comments and corrections carefully.

Step 7

Polished work

Return to the text (yes, more reading!). Rewrite your draft incorporating feedback and your own expanded understanding.

Year 8 English Term Course

Gain critical writing and analytical skills for exam success

Week 1

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM

Vocabulary
Introduction to journalism
Feature article on stereotypes
- What is a stereotype?
- What is a feature article?
Conventions of feature articles
Journalism: brainstorming ideas

Week 2

LESSON 2: NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE STEREOTYPES

Vocabulary
Negative stereotypes
- Stereotypes of Indigenous Australians
- The negative impact of stereotyping
Cultural bias in the Australian media
Positive stereotypes
Stereotypes as a search for identity
Australian stereotypes

Week 3

LESSON 3: WRITING OBJECTIVELY

Vocabulary
Journalism: writing objectively
- Objective and subjective writing
Class activity: conducting an interview
Extension: incorporating interviews

Week 4

LESSON 4: STRUCTURING YOUR FEATURE ARTICLE

Vocabulary
Structuring your feature article
Composing a headline
Introduction: establishing your ‘hook’
- Constructing your hook
Body: scaffolding your paragraphs
Body: composing a body paragraph
Conclusion: future stereotypes?
- The evolution of ‘geek’

week 5

LESSON 5: POETRY

Vocabulary
Introduction to poetry
Descriptive techniques
- Imagery
- Emotive language
Constructing your own poem

Week 6

LESSON 6: FIGURATIVE TECHNIQUES

Vocabulary
Analysing poetic techniques
Figurative techniques
- Figurative language
- Pathetic fallacy Zoomorphism and personification
Preparing for the in-class writing task

Week 7

LESSON 7: CONTRAST IN POETRY

Vocabulary
In class writing task
Analysing poetic techniques
- Contrast
Working with contrast

Week 8

LESSON 8: IRONY IN POETRY

Vocabulary
Revision: Technique and effect
improve the depth of your analysis: detail and complexity
- Detail
- Complexity
Irony
- John Agard – Listen Mr. Oxford Don
Topic test preparation for Lesson Nine

Coming Soon

1.5 Hour Lesson Breakdown

9 weekly lessons in the school term

5 min	Introduction Overview of lesson Teachers explain objectives and outcomes of each lesson.	Teachers explain objectives and outcomes of each lesson.
80 min	Theory Lesson Gain in-depth understanding through textual study and develop your English skills. Students are guided through detailed textual analysis by teachers and learn how to write effectively.	Students are guided through detailed textual analysis by teachers and learn how to write effectively.
5 min	Conclusion Guide to Homework Teachers provide a clear understanding of how to complete your homework.	Teachers provide a clear understanding of how to complete your homework.

Year 8 English Timetable

Term

9 weekly lessons for comprehensive knowledge and understanding.

Chatswood

Fri	4:30 - 6:00pm
Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm
Sun	4:30 - 6:00pm

Epping

Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm

Hurstville

Wed	4:30 - 6:00pm
Sun	1:30 - 3:00pm

Strathfield

Mon	6:10 - 7:40pm
Sun	9:30 - 11:00am
Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm

Chatswood
Fri	4:30 - 6:00pm
Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm
Sun	4:30 - 6:00pm

Epping
Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm

Hurstville
Wed	4:30 - 6:00pm
Sun	1:30 - 3:00pm

Strathfield
Mon	6:10 - 7:40pm
Sun	9:30 - 11:00am
Sun	11:00 - 12:30pm

See our full timetable

Our Year 8 English Pricing

$43.11

per Hour

1.5 hrs

per Lesson

9 lessons

per Term

$582.00

per Term (inc. GST)

What you'll get:

Classes taught by inspirational teachers
9 engaging theory lessons over 9 weeks
150+ pages of content designed to develop your critical English skills
One-to-One tutorials (Workshops) to address individual learning needs
Personalised and detailed feedback on written work
Additional online resources including textual analysis and exemplar essays

ENROL NOW

Love us or walk away!
All courses come with a First Lesson Money Back Guarantee.

Loved by over 4500 students across 220 schools

“I improved significantly during my time at Matrix for Physics through the help I received from Matrix.”

- Jason Xu, 2016 Year 12 Maths

How is Matrix different?

	Matrix	Others
Teachers	Matrix Vast classroom teaching experience, HSC and/or university teaching experience with an ability to explain concepts clearly	Others Have little or no actual teaching experience, cannot explain difficult concepts in a manner that students can understand
Program	Matrix Teaching program that covers the NSW board of studies syllabus. Structured learning system that allows students to develop sound study habits every week	Others Most private tutors and other tuition centres do not follow a set structure; rather they have an ad-hoc approach without considering timing and outcomes
Resources	Matrix A full set of resources written by academics and education researchers. Online access to Supplementary exam papers / texts with top responses.	Others Only address content that students raise, use generic textbooks.
Assessments	Matrix Short quizzes and topic tests held under strict exam conditions to ensure students have a solid understanding of the subject	Others No exam style quizzes and test that assess the student’s weaknesses, hence not being able to identifying their learning needs
Reporting	Matrix Weekly tracking of Grades, Quiz and Topic Test results so student and parents can monitor their progress.	Others No measured tracking process so they cannot tell if the student is struggling or improving.
Learning Management System	Matrix Share information, academic resources and advice with classmates from over 220 schools.	Others Do not have the library of resources or past exams that can help students excel
One-to-One Workshops	Matrix Free workshops to target individual learning needs	Others No additional support outside the lesson.