Language and VCE

Do I qualify for English as an Additional Language (EAL)?

 

A student may be eligible for EAL status if:

  • you have been in Australia for less than 7 years when you start year 12, and
  • most classes over your school life have been taught in a language other than English 

If you came to Australia after January 1st 2016, you may be eligible for EAL status in 2023. Please see your Year Level Leader if you believe you fit these criteria.

Language Studies and the ATAR

As a result of government policy to encourage the study of Language, the mean of each Language is adjusted up by adding 5 to the ATAR subject score mean for Units 3 and 4. This process is independent of scaling applied to all subjects. It does not imply that all Language students receive an increase of 5 ATAR points. Information is available at http://www.vtac.edu.au/pdf/publications/abcofscaling.pdf

Enrolment in Study of Language - Second Language

VCE Second Language studies in Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean and Japanese are designed to cater for students who have learnt all they know of the language in an Australian school or a similar environment.

All enrolments in VCE Second Language Studies Units 3 & 4 must be approved by VCAA.  Eligibility is determined on the basis of three criteria: Students MUST inform the Year 12 Level Leader in the August of the year prior to commencing studies in Second Language Studies Units 3 & 4.  Evidence must include:

  • Country of residence from the date of the student’s 5th birthday
  • Language of full time schooling
  • Hours of study in the Language per week.