Why Study English?

The study of English contributes to the development of literate individuals capable of critical and creative thinking, aesthetic appreciation and creativity. This study also develops students’ ability to create and analyse texts, moving from interpretation to reflection and critical analysis.

Through engagement with texts from the contemporary world and from the past, and using texts from Australia and from other cultures, students studying English become confident, articulate and critically aware communicators and further develop a sense of themselves, their world and their place within it. English helps equip students for participation in a democratic society and the global community.

This study will build on the learning established through AusVELS English in the key discipline concepts of language, literature and literacy, and the language modes of listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing.

Structure

The study is made up of four units.

Each unit contains between two and three areas of study.

Unit 1

In this unit, students read and respond to texts analytically and creatively. They analyse arguments and the use of persuasive language in texts and create their own texts intended to position audiences.

Students develop their skills in creating written, spoken and multimodal texts.

Area of Study 1

Reading and creating texts

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce analytical and creative responses to texts.

Area of Study 2

Analysing and presenting argument

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse how argument and persuasive language can be used to position audiences, and create their own texts intended to position audiences.

Unit 2

In this unit students compare the presentation of ideas, issues and themes in texts. They analyse arguments presented and the use of persuasive language in texts and create their own texts intended to position audiences.

Students develop their skills in creating written, spoken and multimodal texts.

Area of Study 1

Reading and comparing texts

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the presentation of ideas, issues and themes in two texts.

Area of Study 2

Analysing and presenting argument

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify and analyse how argument and persuasive language are used in text/s that attempt to influence an audience, and create a text which presents a point of view.

Unit 3

In this unit students read and respond to texts analytically and creatively. They analyse arguments and the use of persuasive language in texts.

Area of Study 1

Reading and creating texts

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce an analytical interpretation of a selected text, and a creative response to a different selected text.

Area of Study 2

Analysing argument

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and compare the use of argument and persuasive language in texts that present a point of view on an issue currently debated in the media.

Unit 4

In this unit students compare the presentation of ideas, issues and themes in texts.

They create an oral presentation intended to position audiences about an issue currently debated in the media.

Area of Study 1

Reading and comparing texts

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce a detailed comparison which analyses how two selected texts present ideas, issues and themes.

Area of Study 2

Presenting argument

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to construct a sustained and reasoned point of view on an issue currently debated in the media.

Assessment

Satisfactory Completion

The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on a decision that the student has demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit. This decision will be based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s performance on assessment tasks designated for the unit.

Levels of Achievement

Units 1 and 2

Emmaus College students complete graded Assessment Tasks and Semester Examinations as part of the Assessment process for Units 1 and 2.

Units 3 and 4

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will supervise the assessment of all students undertaking Units 3 and 4.

Percentage contributions to the study score in VCE English are as follows:

Unit 3 School-assessed Coursework	25%
Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework	25%
End-of-year examination	50%