Courtesy
dmitridrWhy choose English Language?English Language is generally more objective than mainstream VCE English due to its ‘scientific’ nature. If you’re someone who is more into science and maths, then I’d highly recommend English Language for you. However, it must be noted that this is not applied to all students and may be construed as a generalisation. For example, I studied VCE English Language, yet hated maths and science, and was my subject of choice because of the engaging and interesting subject matter.
English Language is arguably more practical and applies more to the ‘real world’, in that you learn about concepts and principles that could be applied in your everyday communications. This could include, which register (formal or informal language) to use depending on the situation and mode, as well as how to communicate with strangers to build social rapport (a friendly relationship).
To see a complete VIDEO explanation of the differences between English and English Language, please go here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqh_LdiVWw&spfreload=10Unit 3 ContentIn this unit, students investigate English language in contemporary Australian social settings, along a continuum of informal and formal registers. For example, you’ll look at both informal and formal pieces of language such as a terms and conditions, or a conversation between two close friends. In each of these pieces, the language is vary considerably and you’ll need to link these language choices to the register (informal/formal).
Formal language is literally language that has the following features:
• It’s generally less ambiguous (i.e. clearer)
• It’s generally more cohesive (glued together better)
• More explicit
• Often reinforces social distance and relationship hierarchies
• Promotes a user’s authority and expertise (i.e. think of jargon)
• It clarifies, manipulates or even obfuscates (confuses)
• It can negotiate social taboos, that is it can be used to avoid offending certain groups in society.
They consider language as a means of social interaction, exploring how through both written and spoken texts we communicate information, ideas, attitudes, prejudices and beliefs. For example, racism and sexism can come across in language (and sometimes it’s not so obvious!).
Students consider how texts are influenced by the situational and cultural contexts in which they occur. They examine how function, field, mode, setting and the relationships between participants all contribute to a person’s language choices, as do the values, attitudes and beliefs held by participants and the wider community. What this means in basic terms is that the language choices we make in conversation or in the written mode ALWAYS dependent on the situation, culture, relationship, purpose, and so forth. For example, when conversing with a teacher, you’re more likely to NOT swear because of the relationship between you and your teacher. However, with a close friend, the use of swearing indicates a close social distance.
Unit 4 ContentIn this area of study, students look at how identity and language are linked. Remember that the language we use is highly reflective of WHO WE ARE as a person. In this unit, students look at the following (mainly):
• the role of Standard and non-Standard English in Australian society
• the ways in which a variety of Australian identities are constructed and reflected in a range of texts
• the characteristics of Australian English in contrast to Englishes from other continents, in phonological, morphological, lexical, and grammatical patterns
• the features of Broad, General and Cultivated Australian English accents
• social and personal variation in language according to factors such as age, gender, occupation, interests, aspiration and education
• features of language that contribute to a sense of individual identity and group membership
• representations of individual and group identities in a range of texts
Expectation in SACs and Exams + Question StyleYou are expected to study hard (that’s a given), if you are to succeed. One thing many students don’t realise, I believe, is that wider reading and research is essential if you’re to received a differential advantage over your peers. Being linguistically aware (i.e. knowing what’s happening around you in terms of language) and being able to find quotes and references online is absolutely essential.
English is more to do with analysing a text, whereas English Language is more to do with analysing current language usage, so keeping on top of this by using the internet and listening to your peers will allow you to get a higher mark. For example, many of my friends have recently been using ‘Uber’ as a verb, which can be seen in the example, “I ubered here tonight”. This is the result of technology having an impact on our language choices, with a similar phenomenon happening to Google a decade ago - “I googled this issue”.
In the exam, you’ll be presented with three sections:
1. Short AnswerIn this section, you’ll be presented with questions and have to include answers in the lines below. The questions will be based around a text that you’ll read (either spoken or written) and MUST include metalanguage is you’re to succeed. Look at the marking when doing this.
2. Analytical CommentaryAn analytical commentary is simply language analysis - where you look at a text (spoken or written) and analyse its language features and work out why the author may have used these features. For example, you may analyse an advertisement and work out how persuasive language plays a crucial role in achieving it’s purpose to persuade you to buy a product.
3. Essay x1This is often the most difficult section for students, and unlike the English exam, you only need to do 1 essay and NOT three! To succeed in this section, you need to have many current examples (again, this links back to your own research) that allow you to stand out from the crowd. Avoid cliche examples or examples that are too old.
Perceived DifficultyLike anything in life, each subject has its own area of difficulty. English Language is no exception. What’s most difficult for students is understanding the metalanguage (a ton of jargon) and applying it in their responses for all three sections of the exam. You need to ensure you have a wide range of quotes and modern examples too.
Time management is also an issue too for students. You need to practice under TIMED CONDITIONS. Many students forget this. It’s fantastic if you can write an A+ essay in 5 hours, but if you can’t reproduce it in 45 minutes (exam), then there’s no point at all.
Changes to the Study Design in 2016From what I can see, there are relatively few changes to the study design - the actual content and study areas are staying the same, however, I have noticed that more metalanguage has been added to the metalanguage list for all units. This is no problem, however, as the metalanguage added to the list is already contained within all the units, and now it seems that VCAA want to ‘surface’ these terms to make it more obvious to students.
ConclusionOverall, I would highly recommend you choose English Language if this subject matter interests you, if you like practicality and if you’re a maths/science student. However, with that being said, make sure you get a second opinion from your teachers at school and also go through the 2016 study design meticulously.
I do offer a ‘study design summary’ services, whereby I will sit down with you for one hour and help you comprehend key areas of the study design, while asking you specific questions to allow you to decide for yourself. If this interests you, please send me a private message or email me at
[email protected]