Senior English

The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers, and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate, and build relationships with others and with the world around them.

The study of English helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, thoughtful, informed and active members of society and plays an important part in developing the understanding, attitudes and capabilities of those who will take responsibility for Australia’s future.

The English curriculum across the range of subjects offered aims to ensure that students:

learn to listen to, read, view, speak, write, create, and reflect on increasingly complex and sophisticated spoken, written, and other forms of texts across a growing range of contexts with accuracy, fluency, and purpose
appreciate, enjoy, and use the English language in all its variations and develop a sense of its richness and power to evoke feelings, convey information, form ideas, facilitate interaction with others, entertain, persuade, and argue
understand how Standard Australian English works in its spoken and written forms and in combination with non-linguistic forms of communication to create meaning
develop interest and skills in inquiring into the aesthetic aspects of texts and develop an informed appreciation of literature including text from different periods, styles, genres, and contexts
develop skills to convey ideas, feelings, observations, and information effectively in written, spoken, and other forms of texts to a range of audiences
think critically about the ideas and arguments of others and the use of language to persuade and influence audiences
extend their competence in planning, creating, reviewing, and editing their texts for precision and clarity, tone and stylistic effect

Understanding Senior English Pathway Options

Students at Year 10 who plan on a VCE pathway should be completing Core or Advanced English or EAL (if they qualify).
Students who are high achievers are invited to enrol in Advanced English through teacher recommendation.
Students who have been identified as needing support for their literacy skills will be recommended to also enrol in Literacy Skills at Year 10. This will help to get them VCE ready.
Students who are planning on a VCE (Vocational Major) Pathway may enrol in Applied English. This version of Year 10 English is designed to prepare them for the VCE Vocational Major Literacy subject in Year 11.
Students pursuing a VCE Certificate are required to enrol in English, EAL or English Language.
Students who enrol in VCE Foundation English MUST ALSO be enrolled in VCE English or EAL.
Information on the VCE VM Literacy subjects can be found the VCE VM Curriculum section.

Year 10 - English

Overview

In Year 10 English students will develop and justify their own interpretation of texts. They do this using evidence to support their view, explaining different viewpoints, attitudes, and perspectives through the development of cohesive and logical arguments, both in the written and oral form, and through the creation of a wide range of texts using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

Units / Topics	Types of Assessment
Literary analysis	Folio of creative responses
Argument Analysis	Essays
Presenting Argument	Passage analysis
Creative Writing	Oral Presentations
	Commentaries and reflections
	Examination

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide a sound foundation for students to proceed to VCE Units 1 & 2 English. While not explicitly taught, students may elect to study Units 1 & 2 English Language and/or Units 1 & 2 Literature after completing this course.

Year 10 - Advanced English (Year 10 Core Program)

Overview

The aim of the course is to foster and extend student engagement in all areas of senior English studies through a vigorous and stimulating curriculum that draws upon the studies of English, English Language, Literature, and languages generally. This course aims to extend students already at the Year 10 progression point or approaching to develop their creative and critical thinking skills. The course is designed to extend English or Humanities skills students.

Prerequisites - Entry into the course is by invitation only.

Units / Topics	Types of Assessment
A Shakespearean Study	Reading Journal
An Introduction to English Language	Language analysis
A Literature Study	Oral participation in both informal and formal discussions.
Creative Writing	Text analysis
	Writing tasks, including journal entries and a creative task
	Examination

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide a foundation for students to proceed to VCE Units 1 & 2 English, English Language or Literature.

Year 10 - English as an Additional Language

Overview

The course aims to address the needs of students for whom English is an additional language through a vigorous curriculum which both prepares students for VCE English and VCE English As an Additional Language (EAL).

Units / Topics	Types of Assessment
Viewing and responding	Writing Portfolio (Journal)
Modes of Argument	Text Analysis
Reading	Creative Response
Exploring voice and experience	Listening Comprehension
	Oral presentations (plural)
	Annotations and Reflections
	Exam

Future Directions
Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide a sound foundation for students to proceed to VCE Units 1 & 2 English As an Additional Language or to support transition to VCE Unit 1 & 2 English.

Year 10 Literacy Skills (Elective)

Overview

This subject will focus on improving students reading and viewing, speaking and listening and writing skills, with a view to improve skills around standard Australian English use. The unit predominantly encourages inquiry and project-based learning, however there will be explicit and modelled lessons around language use as well. Students who use languages other than English at home, as well as mainstream students who need support to develop their literacy skills for future VCE study will benefit from this subject.

The subject aims to improve English use across subjects, not just the English curriculum, and should be selected by any student wishing to improve their language skills.

Please note that this subject is studied alongside year 10 English and cannot be chosen as a substitute.

Types of Assessment

Writing journals
Reports
Presentations
Research tasks
Persuasive speeches/written argument
Folio of grammatically focused tasks

Future Directions

Satisfactory completion of this subject will provide a sound foundation for students to approach their VCE studies.

VCE Units 1 & 2 - English / English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Overview

Units 1 & 2 English/EAL builds on the learning established through VC English in the key discipline concepts of language, literature and literacy, and the language modes of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, and writing. In this study, students focus on how English language is used to create meaning in print and digital texts of varying complexity. Through engagement with texts, and using texts from Australia and other cultures, students develop critical and creative thinking, developing their ability to create and analyse texts, moving from interpretation to reflection and critical analysis.

Unit 1

In this unit, students read and respond to texts analytically and creatively, building their connections to texts as well as their understanding of various textual elements.

Areas of Study

Reading and Exploring Texts: In this area of study, students engage in reading and viewing texts with a focus on personal connections with the story.
Crafting Texts: In this area of study, students engage with and develop an understanding of the various forms of writing, with a view to build their use of imaginative, persuasive, and informative texts in context.

Unit 2

In this unit students develop reading and writing skills with a view to build inference into the creation of meaning, ideas, and context. They analyse the use of structure, language and ideas in both fiction, non-fiction, and persuasive texts.

Areas of Study

Reading and Exploring Texts: In this area of study, students develop their reading and viewing skills, including deepening their capacity for inferential reading and viewing.
Exploring Argument: In this area of study, students consider the way arguments are developed and delivered in many forms of media.

Forms of Assessment

Personal extended response, creative response, informative response/summaries, analytical response, argument analysis, point of view presentation (oral).

Prerequisites and Corequisites

There are no VCAA prerequisites for entry to Units 1 & 2, however, students should have satisfactorily completed Year 10 English.

Link to Study Design

VCE English 2024 - 2027 Study Design

VCE Units 1 & 2 - English Language

Overview

VCE English Language is the study of the functions of spoken and written language for a range of purposes. Students analyse language from a linguistics perspective, examining how language is rule-governed and informed by accepted systems. The study aims to further develop analytical skills and understanding of linguistics by analysing a range of both historical and contemporary texts.

Unit 1: Language and Communication

In this unit, students are introduced to linguistic terminology to analyse a range of spoken and written texts for a variety of social purposes. Students examine the role of context on language choices. Furthermore, students investigate children’s ability to acquire language and the stages of such development.

Areas of Study

The nature and functions of language – The major functions that language serves when used in given contexts and features that characterise speech and writing.
Language Acquisition – How children acquire language, the major theories of child language acquisition and the major milestones in childhood language development through a linguistics lens.

Unit 2: Language Change

In this unit, students study how English has been transformed over the centuries and consider the various possibilities for the future of English. They examine the global spread of English and the implications for other languages.

Areas of Study

English across time – the historical development of English from Old English to present-day Australian English, the factors influencing language change and, the attitudes to changes.
Englishes in contact – the effects of the global spread of English, the distinctive features of national and regional varieties of English, the role of language as an expression of cultures and worldviews.

Forms of Assessment

• Short Answer Questions
• Analytical Commentaries
• Expository Essays

Prerequisites and Corequisites

There are no prerequisites to this study. It is an advantage to be analytical.

Future Directions

The subject provides a useful basis for further study in numerous fields such as psychology, the study of other languages, speech and reading therapy, linguistics, engineering, journalism and philosophy. It also supports study and employment in other communication-related fields.

Link to Study Design

VCE English Language 2024 - 2027 Study Design

VCE Units 1 & 2 - Literature

Overview

VCE Literature aims to foster students’ enjoyment and appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic merits of stories and storytelling and enables students to participate more fully in the cultural conversations that take place around them. By reading and exploring a diverse range of established and emerging literary works, students become increasingly empowered to discuss texts. As both readers and writers, students extend their creativity and high order thinking to express and develop their critical and creative voices. Students expand their frameworks for exploring literature by considering literary forms and features, engaging with language, and refining their insight into authorial choices.

Unit 1

In this unit students develop an understanding of how language, structure and stylistic choices are used in different literary forms and types of text. How these contribute to meaning and the degree to which points of view, experiences and contexts shape their own and others’ interpretations of texts. They also explore multiple elements of literary movements and genres and engage with the ideas and concerns shared by the texts.

Areas of Study

Reading Practices: Students respond to a range of texts through close analysis.
Exploration of literary movements and genres: Students explore conventions common to a selected movement or genre, and engage with its ideas, concerns, and representations.

Unit 2

Students explore the voices, perspectives and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and creators in a range of contexts. Students also explore the historical, social, and cultural context of a text.

Areas of Study

Voices of Country: Students explore and reflect on the voices, perspectives, and knowledge in the texts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and creators.
The text in its context: Students analyse and respond to the representation of a specific period and/or culture explored in a text and reflect or comment on the ideas and concerns of individuals and groups in that context.

Forms of Assessment

Close analysis of selected passages, Essay (comparative and analytical), Debate, Creative response.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

It is an advantage to have completed Year 10 Advanced English however this is not a requirement.

Future Directions

Students can move on to study Units 3 & 4 Literature.

Link to Study Design

VCE Literature 2023 - 2027 Study Design

VCE Units 3 & 4 - English / English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Overview

Units 3 & 4 English/EAL continues to develop and seeks to consolidate the knowledge and skills students have acquired and explored through VCE English in the key discipline concepts of language, literature and literacy, and the language modes of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, and writing. Through engagement with these texts, students draw out possible meanings from the texts for deeper engagement and understanding. Students then develop their own responses to these texts from personal engagement through to critical analysis, applying and refining their capacity for inferential reading and viewing as they grapple with many possible levels of meaning that can be extracted by a reader.

Unit 3

In this unit, students read and respond to texts analytically and creatively, building their engagement with texts through critical analysis as well as imaginative responses. In doing so, they develop their understanding of various textual elements and their function in creating meaning.

Areas of Study

Reading and Responding to Texts: In this area of study, students apply reading and viewing strategies to critically engage with a text, considering its dynamics and complexities and reflecting on the motivations of its characters.
Creating Texts: In this area of study, students read and engage imaginatively and critically with mentor texts, and effective and cohesive writing within identified contexts to shape their own writing.

Unit 4

In this unit students consolidate their reading and writing skills, considering the ways authors construct meaning, present ideas, concerns and conflicts in order to communicate with audiences. In doing so, they develop their capacity to analyse both fiction, non-fiction and persuasive texts.

Areas of Study

Reading and Responding to Texts: In this area of study, students further sharpen their skills of reading and viewing texts, developed in the corresponding area of study in Unit 3. Students consolidate their capacity to critically analyse texts and deepen their understanding of the ideas and values a text can convey.
Analysing Argument: In this area of study, students analyse the use of argument and language, and visuals in texts that debate a contemporary and significant national or international issue.

Forms of Assessment

Creative response, informative response/summaries, analytical response, argument analysis, point of view presentation (oral).

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Students must have satisfied the work requirements of at least one of the VCE Units 1 and 2 Englishes.

Link to Study Design

VCE English 2024 - 2027 Study Design

VCE Units 3 & 4 - English Language

Overview

VCE English Language explores the ways in which language is used by individuals and groups and reflects our thinking and values. Informed by the discipline of linguistics, the study examines a range of contemporary texts, examining how speakers and readers use language for a range of purposes. The study examines the role of Standard Australian English in public domains.

Unit 3: Language variation and purpose

In this unit, students analyse uses of informal and formal language for a range of purposes. They examine the role of situational and cultural contexts in influencing language choice. Furthermore, students examine how writers and speakers exploit language for a variety of social purposes.

Areas of Study

Informality – The distinctive features of informal language in written and spoken texts, the role of Standard and non-Standard English in creating informal texts, the use of informal language for various social purposes.
Formality– The distinctive features of formal language in written and spoken texts, the role of Standard and non-Standard English in creating formal texts in private and public domains, the use of formal language for various social purposes.

Unit 4: Language variation and identity

In this unit, students focus on the role of language in establishing and challenging different identities. Students examine the varieties of English used in contemporary Australian society. Students also evaluate a range of attitudes to different varieties of Australian English while examining the ways in which people use language to gain power and prestige.

Areas of Study

Language variation in Australian society – Varieties of Australian English and attitudes towards them, the ways in which a variety of Australian identities are constructed and reflected in a range of texts and the linguistic features of accents.
Individual and group identities – Language that reflects and construction of individual and group identity, power and prestige attached to varieties of English and social attitudes.

Forms of Assessment

Short Answer Questions, Analytical Commentaries, Expository Essays.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

No prerequisites to this study. It is an advantage to have completed Unit 1 and 2 English Language.

Future Directions

The subject provides a useful basis for further study in numerous fields such as psychology, the study of other languages, speech and reading therapy, linguistics, engineering, journalism, and philosophy. It also supports study and employment in other communication-related fields.

Link to Study Design

VCE English Language 2024 - 2027 Study Design

VCE Units 3 & 4 - Literature

Overview

VCE Literature aims to foster students’ enjoyment and appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic merits of stories and storytelling and enables students to participate more fully in the cultural conversations that take place around them. By reading and exploring a diverse range of established and emerging literary works, students become increasingly empowered to discuss texts. As both readers and writers, students extend their creativity and high order thinking to express and develop their critical and creative voices. Students expand their frameworks for exploring literature by considering literary forms and features, engaging with language, and refining their insight into authorial choices.

Unit 3

Students initially consider how meaning alters when the form of a text changes through construction of close analysis. They explore the context of the text and the ways in which varying interpretations open them up to the different ways we can read and understand a text by developing, considering and comparing interpretations.

Areas of Study

Adaptations and transformations: Students consider a text in two different forms and the ways in which form alters and reinforces meaning.
Developing Interpretations: Students first develop their own interpretations of a set text, then later explore a supplementary reading that can enrich, challenge and/or contest its ideas, views, values and assumptions.

Unit 4

Students firstly present their own creative response to one of the texts they have studied. In doing this they draw upon their knowledge of literary conventions and their understanding of characterisation, language, setting, themes, and plot development in the original text. Students then focus on close reading of the texts to develop their appreciation of language choices.

Creative Response to text: Involves the construction of students’ own text in response to one of the studied texts and an oral presentation in which they demonstrate their understanding of the significance of language, characterisation, plot development and reader engagement.
Close reading: Students look at the relationship between language and meaning and explore the detail in writing.

Forms of Assessment

Close analysis of selected passages, Essays, Oral Presentation, Creative Response.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

It is an advantage to have completed Year 11 Literature however this is not a requirement.

Link to Study Design

VCE Literature 2023 - 2027 Study Design