This paper reflects on the changes which have taken place, in the teaching of English, over the last 10 years in South Africa. It discusses the changes in education and how these have been shaped by the constitution of this young democracy. The focus is on how the new curricular policies have been implemented and the impact these have had on classroom teaching. The changes are illustrated by describing the activities of a Grade 8 class, in a private church school in Johannesburg, South Africa. The paper also looks at how the social changes in the country have brought about significant changes in the learners and how these have driven the curriculum.