Lit_Happens Podcast

Welcome to Lit Happens – your go-to resource for senior English teachers navigating the HSC syllabus.

We deliver practical teacher support, ready-to-use guides, and time-saving resources to simplify the 2019–2026 prescriptions (still in effect for HSC 2026) and prepare for upcoming changes. From Reading to Write programming and Module breakdowns (A–D) to rubric mastery, text analysis (The Crucible, 1984, The Tempest & Hag-Seed, Plath & Hughes), Craft of Writing strategies, and exam prep – we unpack it all with real classroom insights.

Explore our weekly videos and podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Grab free downloadable PDFs, rubrics, templates, and cheat sheets at our website: https://lithappensse.com/

New this season: Teacher Tales – authentic staffroom stories to support your wellbeing and teaching journey.

Subscribe for weekly HSC English teacher tips that save hours and boost student outcomes. Questions? Comment below or email lit.happensse@gmail.com.

#HSCEnglish #SeniorEnglishTeacher #HSC2026 #ReadingToWrite #NESA #EnglishTeacherResources

Episodes

Apr 21, 2025

39 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Nam Le’s intricate short story, Love and Honour and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice. In this episode, we explore how Le uses metafiction to examine the ethics of storytelling, cultural identity, and father-son dynamics, analyse advanced techniques like intertextuality and non-linear structure, and provide strategies for students to craft their own sophisticated pieces inspired by the text. Tailored for educators seeking to challenge their students and Advanced English students aiming for a Band 6, this episode will help you navigate the story’s ambiguity and create responses that reflect depth and creativity.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: 
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Apr 21, 2025

39 min

Apr 14, 2025

33 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Catherine Cole’s poignant short story, Home. In this episode, we explore how Cole’s narrative captures the migrant experience, highlighting themes of belonging, isolation, and hope, analyse the language techniques and episodic structure that shape Ahmed’s journey, and provide practical strategies for students to create their own imaginative, discursive, or persuasive pieces inspired by the text. Tailored for educators seeking to inspire empathy and creativity in the classroom and students aiming to refine their writing craft, this episode will help you draw on Home’s themes to compose meaningful responses that reflect your unique perspective.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Sample: The Craft of Writing -  Home by Catherine Cole
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Apr 14, 2025

33 min

Apr 7, 2025

37 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Ray Bradbury’s thought-provoking short story, The Pedestrian. In this episode, we explore how Bradbury’s narrative challenges conformity and celebrates individuality, analyse the language techniques and forms that shape its powerful message, and provide practical strategies for students to create their own imaginative, discursive, or persuasive pieces inspired by the text. Tailored for educators seeking to spark creativity in the classroom and students aiming to refine their writing craft, this episode will help you harness The Pedestrian’s themes to compose compelling responses that reflect your unique voice.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Sample: The Craft of Writing – The Pedestrian
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Apr 7, 2025

37 min

Mar 31, 2025

48 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module B: Close Study of Literature, with a deep dive into Peter Weir’s iconic film, The Truman Show. In this episode, we explore how the film examines reality, freedom, and control, analyse its cinematic techniques and narrative structure, and provide practical strategies for students to develop insightful responses that unpack its enduring significance. Tailored for educators seeking to enrich their teaching and students aiming to excel in their close study, this episode will help you uncover the layers of The Truman Show and connect its themes to your own perspectives.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Module B The Truman Show
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Mar 31, 2025

48 min

Mar 24, 2025

45 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module A: Language, Identity and Culture, with a deep dive into Contemporary Asian Poetry. In this episode, we explore how language reflects and shapes individual and collective identities, analyse the cultural perspectives embedded in these poems, and assess how poetic forms and features communicate ideas, values, and attitudes. Designed for educators seeking to inspire and students aiming to excel, we also share strategies for crafting responses and imaginative texts that explore representations of identity and culture, helping you connect with these diverse voices on a personal level.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Language, Identity and Culture - 
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Mar 24, 2025

45 min

Mar 17, 2025

1 hr 6 min

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Module A: Textual Conversations, this time exploring the raw and resonant poetry of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. In this episode, we uncover the purpose of the module, dive into the intense emotions and striking imagery of their works, examine their resonances and dissonances, and share practical strategies for crafting a compelling thesis statement in your Stage 6 essays. Tailored for educators looking to inspire and students eager to master their comparative analysis, this episode reveals how these poetic voices intertwine and diverge to explore love, loss, and identity across time.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Textual Conversations - 
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Mar 17, 2025

1 hr 6 min

Mar 10, 2025

58 min

Tune in to Lit Happens as two dedicated HSC English educators guide you through Module A: Textual Conversations, this time with John Donne’s timeless poetry and Margaret Edson’s modern play W;t. In this episode, we unpack the purpose of the module, delve into the metaphysical richness of Donne’s works and the poignant reflections of W;t, examine their resonances and dissonances, and offer practical strategies for crafting a standout thesis. Perfect for educators seeking fresh teaching angles or students aiming to deepen their comparative analysis, this episode bridges 17th-century wit and 20th-century introspection to illuminate life, death, and the human experience.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Textual Conversations - 
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Mar 10, 2025

58 min

Mar 4, 2025

1 hr 53 sec

Lit Happens Episode 7: Tempest and Hagseed – Navigating Textual Conversations
Join us on Lit Happens as two passionate HSC English educators unpack Module A: Textual Conversations with Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Margaret Atwood’s Hagseed. In this episode, we dive into the art of comparative study, breaking down the purpose of the module, analysing key themes and concepts in both texts, exploring their resonances and dissonances, and sharing practical strategies for crafting a compelling thesis. Whether you’re an educator seeking fresh perspectives or a student aiming to ace your analysis, we’ve got you covered with insights to enrich your understanding of these timeless works and their powerful dialogue across paradigms.
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Textual Conversations –Tempest and Hagseed
For a video of this resource in action, visit our YouTube page, Tiktok and Instagram.For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
Never miss a Lit Happens episode!Like and subscribe for syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and rating our show. Your feedback helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Mar 4, 2025

1 hr 53 sec

Feb 25, 2025

53 min

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 6: Mastering the Craft of Writing
 
We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we explore the "Craft of Writing" module for both Advanced and Standard English. We’ll break down the rubric, share practical strategies for sharpening writing skills, and offer tips on how students can develop their own voice while mastering imaginative, persuasive, and reflective writing. From analysing mentor texts to tackling the creative process, this episode is chock-full of insights to help students and educators nail this dynamic module.
 
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Sample: Mastering the Craft of Writing
For a video of this resource in action, have a look at our YouTube page.
For episodes and support content:
Follow us on YouTube: @Lit_HappensSE
Follow us on Instagram: lit.happensseniorenglish
TikTok: @lit.happensse
 
Never miss a Lit Happens episode! 
Like and subscribe to discover syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
 
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review and giving our show a rating. Your support helps us keep delivering quality content for English teachers and students alike.
 
We’d love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Feb 25, 2025

53 min

Feb 18, 2025

57 min

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 5: Exploring the Reading to Write module
 
We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we dive into the Advanced and Standard English rubric for the Preliminary Common Module, "Reading to Write." We'll demystify the module by offering practical advice on how to tackle it, highlighting the skills students need to succeed, and providing insights that lead to success. Whether you're a student or a fellow educator, this episode is your guide to mastering English through the art of Reading to Write.
 
Check out the FREE PDF resource: Prelim: Reading to Write (Sample) 
For a video of this resource in action, check out our youtube page. 
 
For episodes and support content,
Follow us on Youtube youtube.com/@Lit_HappensSE   
Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/lit.happensseniorenglish/   
Never miss a Lit Happens episode! 
Like and subscribe to discover syllabus tips, future episode themes, and to join our literary community. Available on multiple platforms - subscribe wherever you listen!
 
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting us by leaving a review as your support helps us continue to provide quality content for English teachers and students alike. 
We'd love to hear from you! Comment below or send us your thoughts, questions, or episode suggestions at lit.happensse@gmail.com

Feb 18, 2025

57 min

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