VCE English
English
English is compulsory in VCE. However, a range of subjects are available which may substitute for or combine with English to meet this requirement. Please note that Literature can be taken in conjunction with English or as an alternative.
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
This study is designed to enable students to:
- extend their competence in using Standard Australian English to meet the demands of further study, the workplace, and their own needs and interests;
- extend their language skills through thinking, reading, writing, speaking and listening;
- communicate ideas, feelings, observations and information effectively, both orally and in writing, to a range of audiences;
- extend their competence in planning, reviewing and re-shaping content of print, non-print and multimodal texts to ensure accuracy and coherence of form, language, purpose, audience and context;
- understand, enjoy and appreciate language in its written, oral and multimodal forms;
- recognise the structures and features of a wide range of print, non-print and multimodal texts and demonstrate understanding of how authors choose these elements for particular purposes and effects;
- demonstrate in the creation of their own print, non-print and multimodal texts an ability to make considered and informed choices about form, language, purpose, audience and context;
- demonstrate an ability to use appropriate metalanguage to discuss their own and others’ texts;
- identify and comment on the ideas or implied values that underpin texts;
- recognise the relationship between language and ideas, and the role of language in developing the capacity to express ideas.
Assessment:
In Units 1 and 2 students must satisfactorily complete class-based activities and assessment tasks including Writing tasks, Text Responses, Oral Presentations and Written Examinations. The student’s level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 will be determined by school-assessed coursework (50% of the final assessment) and an end of year examination (50% of the final assessment).
Expected Skills:
The student should be able to:
- Identify and discuss ideas, experiences and issues dealt with in selected texts, including current media texts
- Present ideas and information through oral presentations and writing for different purposes and audiences
English as an Alternative Language (EAL)
Students must be a resident of Australia for no more than 5 years and have been educated in a language other than English.Please note that students must qualify as an EAL student to access this subject.
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
Course details are as for English Units 1, 2, 3 & 4 but EAL students will have some modifications to the course. For example, in the SACs, School Assessed Coursework, a lesser word count will apply to some essays and a longer time frame for completion of certain writing pieces will be permitted. Detailed information of each modification will be provided to each EAL student.
Assessment:
Assessment is as for English students. See English Units 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Expected Skills:
It is expected EAL students will have a fairly competent grasp of English grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary, as the focus is on completing the course and there is little time to spend on acquiring the above skills.
Literature
Please note that Literature can be taken in conjunction with English or as an alternative
Units 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course Description:
Through the study of novels, plays, short stories and poetry, students develop an ability to analyse and interpret texts. Unit 1 asks students to examine the historical and cultural contexts within which both readers and texts are situated, while Unit 2 students explore the ways literary texts connect with each other and with the world. In Unit 3 students consider how the form of a text affects meaning, and how writers construct their texts, while in Unit 4 students again consider the context of their responses to texts as well as the ideas explored in the texts.
Assessment:
In Units 1 & 2 students must satisfactorily complete class-based activities and assessment tasks including Essays, Oral Presentations, Creative Responses and Written Examinations.
Methods of assessment for Units 3 & 4 are Essays, Oral Presentations, Analysis of Passages and a Written Examination.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Year 10 English or Units 1 & 2 English
(if attempting Units 3 & 4)
Expected Skills:
The student should be able to:
- Read and analyse complex texts
- Communicate effectively in class discussions and formal presentations