Course Content

Choosing Magic Realism as your English programme for Level 2 means that, while you may not have had the best relationship with English over the years, you are ready to accept the challenge of the Level 2 programme and step up. This programme will explore way English can be used to extend our perception of reality and in doing so, to open our minds to what is right in front of us. You’re not here to study English for the sake of it, you’re acquiring a set of skills that you will immediately put to use in life. You will be asked to challenge yourself, take risks and show ambition.

We’ll be reading the work of some of the 20th Century’s most loved contemporary works, such as Markus Zuzak’s The Book Theif, a powerful and affecting tale taking a new perspective on the well known truths of Nazi Germany. “I am haunted by humans.”

We’ll explore realism in our own writing and we’ll be inspired by the work of many of New Zealand and Latin America’s greatest exponents of magic realism, like Elizabeth Knox and Jorge Luis Borges. 

Everything we read, write, say, hear and watch will help us to learn to think critically and develop our insight into how the fantastic and the ordinary can co-habit. If anyone’s going to use the power and subtlety of our wonderful language to their own benefit, it shall be you.