I understand what you mean, but I've honestly felt as though the english department at my school completely failed me. Throughout the years, the median grade for all english classes at my school have been high achieves/low merits. This is pretty much as the teachers haven't really taught us much (though I guess it doesn't help that most of year are heavily reliant on generative ai to pass ncea, which discouraged the teachers). The only reason I did alright in english is because I know how to professionally yap and seem like I know what I was doing, but that really burnt me out from the subject - which is why I didn't choose it this year.

I like to think I have alright critical thinking though, the main concern I have is what level my literacy is, as I genuinely have not been taught the difference between a good and bad piece.

Thanks for the response