Scotch College

VCE: English/English as a Second Language

Rationale

This study aims to develop competence in the understanding and use of English for a variety of purposes sufficient to meet the demands of tertiary entrance post-school employment, further education and participation in a democratic society. It emphasizes the integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking. It values student diversity and particularly encourages learning in which students take responsibility for their language development and thus grow in confidence and in language skill and understanding.

Prerequisites for ESL Students

Certain conditions set by VCAA must be met by an individual student if he is to be granted ESL status. Enquiries regarding these prerequisites should be directed to the Scotch VCE Administrator or Head of House. ESL students are integrated fully into regular VCE English classes but they also may be required to attend a weekly evening tutorial at Scotch with a specialist ESL tutor.

Structure

Unit 1: The focus of this unit is the reading of a range of texts with comprehension, enjoyment and discrimination, development of competence and confidence in writing and response to oral language and its use.

Unit 2: The focus of this unit is on a variety of forms of response to texts, experimentation with different written forms and the use of oral language to interact positively, critically and confidently with audiences in formal and informal settings.

Unit 3: The focus of this unit is the development of critical responses to both print and non-print texts, including media texts and the use of oral language to interact positively, critically and confidently with audiences in formal and informal settings.

Unit 4: The focus of this unit is the development of critical responses to both print and non-print texts, and the achievement of competence and confidence in writing for different purposes and audiences in a variety of forms. Particular emphasis is placed on preparing students for their end of year exam which plays a major part in determining their final score for the subject.

Assessment

Units 1 and 2: Examination

Single Text Study

Contexts Study

Media Study

Unit 3: School Assessed Coursework 25 per cent

Unit 4: School Assessed Coursework 25 per cent

Units 3 and 4: End-of-year Examination 50 per cent