The English Department at BSHS strives to develop students’ skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students read, analyze, interpret and evaluate classic and contemporary literature. Students learn about the writing process and are taught to write to communicate for a variety of purposes (narration, description, exposition and argumentation). Students also conduct research and write documented papers. Grammar, usage and mechanics are taught within the context of writing. Students practice listening and speaking effectively in a variety of situations. Language empowers students; as a result, vocabulary development is also a major component of the English curriculum.