Do I need English if i'm doing English language?

[rhiana.du]

I'm currently in year 11 and taking both English and English Language. I am debating dropping normal English but i want to know if I will need it to aid me in essay writing and analysis in University. I enjoy English Language over English and I would like to study something in either business or health science at uni. HELP would be great thanks

[Joseph41]

I'll update this post soon with more information, but to answer your question: nope!

I was in a really similar position (going into Year 11, at least)!

I think if you enjoy English Language over English, the choice isn't really between those two subjects. Let's take EngLang as a given (considering that you need at least one English). The question then is whether or not to still do English.

I don't have direct experience in Business or Health Sciences, but I don't think VCE English would be necessary as such. It might help with essay writing or whatnot, but other subjects might have advantages, too (like, would you be studying English at the cost of, say, HHD, which might be more relevant to Health Sciences?).

What are your other subjects at the moment?

[rhiana.du]

I'm currently studying 3&4 biology, methods, accounting, health, English and English language. I am thinking about picking up business management in y12. I'm just worried that by not taking general English I might struggle in the writing components in university.

[vox nihili]

You will learn to write in EngLang just as you would in English. I guess the core difference is that the content of your writing is more focused on presenting academic material.

Certainly, I've never felt like I missed out on learning how to write properly because I did EngLang and not English. In your case, wouldn't worry about it so much, you'll be fine

[zsteve]

I'm currently in year 11 and taking both English and English Language. I am debating dropping normal English but i want to know if I will need it to aid me in essay writing and analysis in University. I enjoy English Language over English and I would like to study something in either business or health science at uni. HELP would be great thanks

Hey Rhiana,
Nope, I did English Language alone and that worked out fine. (To be honest, I found English a *lot* easier than Englang, although my experiences for English are limited to English Unit 2 (lol). Englang is a subject you *actually* have to study for ... joke intended)

But seriously, the choice of English vs. Eng Lang really doesn't say anything about your communication skills/essay skills, if anything, Englang is the harder subject that requires better writing and analytical thinking skills. Like Mr. T-Rav vox nihili says, Englang is more about academic presentation and discussion rather than (warm-fuzzy-touchy-feely) feelings in English. Sorry for bias.

If you're finding Englang very interesting, I'd encourage you to pursue it in Year 12