VCE English Studies

English

This study aims to develop competence in the understanding and use of English for a variety of purposes sufficient to meet the demands of post-school employment, further education, and participation in a democratic society. It emphasises the integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking. It values student diversity and particularly encourages learning in which students take responsibility for their language development and thus grow in confidence and in language skill and understanding.

EN1: English 1

The focus of this unit is on reading and responding to an expanded range of text types and genres in order to analyse ways in which they are constructed and interpreted, and on the development of competence and confidence in creating written, oral or multimodal texts.

EN2: English 2

Note: There is a fee associated with this subject of $20.00 .**

EN3: English 3

The focus of this unit is on reading and responding both orally and in writing to a range of texts. Students analyse how the authors of texts create meaning and the different ways in which texts can be interpreted. They develop competence in creating written texts by responding analytically and creatively to ideas suggested by their reading. They also develop the ability to explain choices they have made as authors.

EN4: English 4

The focus of this unit is the comparison of ideas, issues and themes in texts. They explore the meaningful connections between two texts, include the interplay between character and setting, voice and structure, and how ideas, issues and themes are conveyed. Students also develop a persuasive oral presentation in relation to a topical issue that has appeared in the media since 1 September of the previous year.

Note: There is a fee associated with this subject of $20.00 .**

English as an Additional Language

EAL1: English (EAL) 1

The focus of this unit is the reading of texts with comprehension and discrimination, and the development of competence and confidence in writing. There is also a focus on the use of and response to oral language in different contexts and for different purposes, and listening for understanding and meaning.

EAL2: English (EAL) 2

The focus of this unit is on comparing different texts and developing writing skills to respond to texts in a critical and analytical manner. There is also a focus on oral and aural language in formal and informal contexts, and critical thinking and understanding in developing responses to issues, both written and oral.

EAL3: English (EAL) 3

The focus of this unit is the development of written critical and analytical responses to texts, including media texts. Listening skills and oral competency, both in informal and formal contexts, is also an area of focus in this unit.

EAL4: English (EAL) 4

The focus of this unit is in the continuing development of competency in writing skills for different audiences and purposes, evidenced in critical and analytical responses to texts. Oral and listening skills are also an integral part of this unit.

Note: There is a fee associated with this subject of $20.00 .**

English Language

VCE English Language explores the ways in which language is used by individuals and groups and reflects our thinking and values. Learning about language helps us to understand ourselves, the groups with which we identify, and the society we inhabit. English Language builds on students’ previous learning about the conventions and codes used by speakers and writers of English. Informed by the discipline of linguistics, it provides students with metalinguistic tools to understand and analyse language use, variation and change.

EL1: Language & Communication

In this unit, students consider the way language is organised so that its users have the means to make sense of their experiences and to interact with others. Students explore the various functions of language and the nature of language as a highly elaborate system of signs. The relationship between speech and writing as the dominant modes of language and the impact of situational and cultural contexts on language choices are also considered. Students investigate children’s ability to acquire language, and the stages of language acquisition across a range of subsystems.

EL2: Language Change

In this unit, students focus on language change and people’s attitudes towards it. Languages are dynamic and change is an inevitable and a continuous process. Students consider factors contributing to change over time in the English language and factors contributing to the spread of English, such as globalisation. They explore texts from the past, and contemporary texts, considering how all subsystems of the language system are affected.

EL3: Language Variation & Social Purpose

In this unit students investigate English Language in the Australian social setting, along a continuum of informal and formal registers. They consider language as a means of societal interaction understanding that through written and spoken texts we communicate information, ideas, attitudes, prejudices and ideological stances.

EL4: Language Variation & Identity

In this unit students focus on the role of language in establishing and challenging different identities. Many varieties of English exist in contemporary Australian society, including national, regional, cultural and social variations. Students examine both print and digital texts to consider the ways different identities are constructed.

Literature

The study of literature focuses on the enjoyment and appreciation of reading and watching that arises from discussion, debate, and the challenge of exploring the meanings of literary texts. Students reflect on their interpretations and those of others. The study of literature encourages independent and critical thinking in students’ analytical and creative responses to texts, which will assist students in the workforce and in future academic study.

LI1: Literature 1

This unit focuses on the ways literary texts represent human experience, and the reading practices students develop to deepen their understanding of a text. Students respond to a range of texts, including genre movements and classic literature. They will respond personally, critically, and creatively, to the ideas and concerns of texts.

LI2: Literature 2

This unit focuses on students’ critical and creative responses to texts, situating them within broader historical contexts, including authors of a First Nations’ perspective. Students deepen their understanding of their responses to aspects of texts such as the style of narrative, the characters, the language and structure of the text within a broader context. They understand the ways their own culture and the cultures represented in the text can influence their interpretations and shape different meanings.

LI3: Literature 3

This unit focuses on how the form of a text affects meaning, and how writers construct their texts. Students investigate ways writers adapt and transform texts and how meaning is affected as texts are adapted and transformed. Students develop wide ranging and critical theory influenced textual interpretation through the reading of secondary material and criticism, noting the changes in interpretation over time.

LI4: Literature 4

This unit focuses on students’ developing creative, critical, and analytic responses to texts as well as the ideas explored in the texts, the style of the language, and points of view. Central to this unit is the close analysis of textual details to develop coherent and substantiated commentary. Writing as well as reading skills will be developed to form sustained, fluent responses.

7th Period English Studies at VCE

Please note that VCE English, EAL, Literature and English Language all have seven timetabled sessions per cycle.

If a student chooses to study two of English, Literature and English Language, they must be aware that the seventh period for these two subjects is scheduled at the same time.

Students are expected to attend alternating sessions of these subjects, ensuring that they regularly communicate and liaise with their teachers to ensure that they up to date with the learning program and learning outcomes within each subject.

VCE Vocational Major English

This study is the same course as the general English VCE course. Vocational major students will study the same texts as the mainstream but the emphasis will be to complete all tasks in the classroom at an unhurried pace with no need for homework; the emphasis is on giving students extra support to complete the outcomes. It aims to develop competence in the understanding and use of English for a variety of purposes sufficient to meet the demands of post-school employment, further education, and participation in a democratic society. It emphasises the integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking. It values student diversity and particularly encourages learning in which students take responsibility for their language development and thus grow in confidence and in language skill and understanding.

EN1: English 1(VM) and EN2: English 2 (VM)

The focus of these units is on reading and responding to an expanded range of text types and genres in order to analyse ways in which they are constructed and interpreted, and on the development of competence and confidence in creating written, oral or multimodal texts.

Note: There is a fee associated with this subject of $20.00 .**