Children learn basics of pronunciation and grammar as soon as they start school, and then move onto comprehension by reading complex books and academic essays. Furthermore, students become better at deciphering metaphors and critiquing books as they take more advanced classes in college. Especially in English-speaking countries, English classes create the foundation for other classes and pursuits, as these classes are influential in developing communication skills.

Significance
English classes hone critical thinking and analytical skills as well as technical skills in writing. English classes are also less rigidly structured than other classes that consist primarily of lectures. English classes offer room for discussions, feedback and group interaction.

Curriculum
English classes can be classified into several different categories. The most common way that schools and teachers create English classes is by categorizing literature into periods, authors or genres. For example, authors who live in a particular region can be grouped together on the syllabus. Teachers can teach students about how a particular period in history influenced the writing produced during that time by constructing a historical time line of events, monarchs and works of literature. Differences in genres can be addressed by dedicating classes solely for fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Professors
English classes are taught by teachers with degrees in education or literature, and college level teaching requires teachers to have higher degrees such as a master's or doctorate degree.

Research
Teachers encourage students to do research by assigning supplemental readings such as history books, and subsequently have students complete assignments such as research papers. Students are required to focus on a particular topic, character or period, and support their arguments by quoting other research within that particular field. Research papers require a bibliography that details the origin of a certain idea.

Grading
English classes usually require the writing of papers, but students may find that professors may also administer exams. Exams usually require short answers and short essays, and since students are under time constraints, content and how it is delivered are usually given more attention than grammar. The majority of grades usually come from essays, which are graded subjectively according to the professor's discretion, compared to other classes where tests are based on facts.