btw. how do we write an A+ english language essay. im always criticised for not making some sort of judgment...? good examples and alright grammar are only getting me so far...does anyone have an example of an A+ eng lang essay?
and...
LOOK WHAT I FOUNDD!!! youve probably all seen it but STILL
Study boost: Ploise explainArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment January 16, 2007 12:00am
VCE students get some tongue-in-cheek material in the serious study of linguistics, writes Blanche Clark.
FIFTEENTH-CENTURY writer Geoffrey Chaucer and 1997 comedy The Castle are an unlikely pairing, but both are rich fodder for VCE English Language students.
Kath & Kim also gets a look in, as does Shakespeare and religious texts, in this little-known alternative to VCE English.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College English co-ordinator David Van Es says VCE English Language students study grammar, sentence structure and how words are created and used in spoken and written texts, old and modern.
They study everyday texts, from the language of law and politics to SMS and advertising.
"We often use The Castle as a strong snapshot of Australian English,'' he says.
"It deals with how people are identified by the language they use.''
He says Kath & Kim plays with language.
"We might also look at the difference of the language of, say, a news presenter on Channel 9 or SBS, and . . . the language of Darryl from The Castle.
"The link between language and identity is a very powerful one.''
VCE English Language was introduced in 2000 and this year 1592 students are enrolled, compared with 44,415 in VCE English.
"One of the great strengths of the course is that the students step out of the classroom and start applying what they have learned.''
"You will often hear them say 'I can't be in a conversation any more without analysing it', '' Van Es says.
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority proposed incorporating more of these analytical elements into VCE English last year. It planned to reduce the number of literary texts studied to one and introduce the study of media texts such as newspapers, websites and text messages instead.
There was an outcry from parents and educators, saying novels and poetry were integral to the study of English and literacy.
Are there the same concerns about VCE English Language?
Van Es says if students and parents value literature, the student should choose to do VCE English or Literature. But he says the rigour of grammar in the course is impressive.
When Van Es talks to Year 10 students at BSSC's four feeder schools about their VCE program, he uses this analogy.
"If English is a bit of every aspect of language usage and communication, and literature is the art of language, then English Language is probably the science.''
Van Es says students also gain a deeper appreciation of themselves.
"At the start of the course we play them some examples of people speaking, only audio, and we ask them to make judgments about their intelligence and their likability.
"The kids do that and we make the point: 'What does that say about your own values and the way you think about the world?'
"They become quite aware of it and they are conscious of going to a job interview and using their very best English.
"The study of English Language makes them overtly aware of the unspoken rules that are in operation in our society.''
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) says VCE English Language is useful for students interested in communications, journalism, speech and reading therapy and teaching. These skills are also applicable to psychology, cognitive science, computer science and philosophy. More about VCE English Language at
www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/englishlanguage/05englangsum.doc Expert tips by David Van Es
Learn your glossary -- make a set of flip cards as you do the course.
Create mind-maps that show how concepts can be linked.
Practise essay writing with specific time restrictions.
Learn to use FEE (Feature, Example, Effect) in your discussion of texts -- disciplined analysis is what is required.
hope that helps...?lol
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