VCE ESL An Introduction to the Yr12 Course 2011

ESL vs English There are only very subtle differences between the courses Final ATAR scores are on par with English scores Melb Uni and Monash Uni require an ATAR of 30+ in ESL as a pre-requisite for many of their courses Scores in ESL / English are very important for allocating uni positions, especially borderline cases and second round offers

General Course Overview for Yr12 There are 3 areas of study in English 1.Reading and Responding (Text Study) 2.Creating and Presenting (Context) 3.Analysis of Language (Issues) All work completed relates to one of these 3 areas

The influence of the exam All tasks have some learning or purpose about them that prepares you for the final exam

Reading and Responding 2 texts will be studied  Unit 3 – Maestro  Unit 4 – Interpreter of Maladies You will have 1 SAC for each of these texts You only choose 1 to write on in the exam

How to succeed with text studies You are NOT reading this text for enjoyment but for careful study: this changes the way you approach the text Know the text incredibly well Know some quotes by heart Ask questions about the text – not literal questions but deeper questions

It is not enough to simply know the plot, the characters and a quote or two – you must go deeper Repeating a learnt response will not help you Have ideas about the text, be open to new ideas

Assessors like…. To think that you have taken the time to really engage with the text, to know it well and to have an original response to the question that is asked. For you to have a well organised response that shows you have planned carefully.

The big picture… English readers love reading and discussing texts, be it books, movies or plays. You need to show that you are capable of doing this in a thoughtful way. This is the highest level of comprehension and is important not only for university but for successful social interaction in a western culture.

Creating and Presenting This is the Context section Our focus is on, ‘Encountering Conflict’ The text that stimulates our work for the entire year is, ‘The Crucible’

How is this different from a text study? It is NOT a text study but you do need to know the text well. You know it differently. You consider the conflicts that the characters have faced You refer to a general prompt to guide your response Your written response is not limited to an analytical essay

Assessment for Context You will have 2 SACs You have one prompt in the exam to respond to – it must make reference to the Crucible in some way but this is not the sole focus of the piece. Prompt you

How to succeed with Context Be open minded Consider this topic daily in all that you do and see Find something else to compliment this area from your own interests

Assessors like… To read original thinking and writing To see that you have considered the prompt and worked with it thoughtfully To see an organised and relevant piece of writing that expresses ideas confidently

The big picture… The Context has two main foci – 1.To see that you can write creatively and expressively in a range of genres And 2.To see that you can think deeply and draw on material from life today and that of texts, to respond to a stimuli It is the highest form of composition writing. It is teaching you to be confident to express ideas and accepts that your ideas come from many different experiences that you encounter.

Analysis of language Unit 3 - assessment  Presentation of a point of view on an Issue in the Australian media - using persuasive techniques (Oral) Exam  Completing a Note Form Summary of an article  Short prose explaining how the author aimed to persuade the audience

How to succeed with Language Analysis Know a range of persuasive language techniques very well Read the ‘Letters to the Editor’ in the paper and try and decide what the authors bias is Complete practice papers Try using note form summary abbreviations and styles when taking notes in other subjects

Assessors like… To think that you have read and fully understood the passage you read To see a neat and organised note form summary To read prose that is thoughtful, sharp and shows you know how the audience was manipulating readers

The big picture… As members of a western society, we need to be aware of when we are being manipulated by others. We need to be able to read something objectively and not take it as true. We are expected to question what we read and are exposed to. This is the highest level of comprehension, summary writing and critical thinking.

General advice Get organised Communicate with your teachers – speak up early Pace yourself Revise material weekly – even if there is nothing due Stay healthy and try and stay balanced

You Can achieve the impossible !