ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English Studies => Topic started by: Zues on November 05, 2014, 10:08:38 pm
-
Hey guys, im in year 11, doing english and am wanting to drop this next year for 3/4 eng lang. I was wondering if i'd be behind the pack by heaps and if there is "alot" to catch up on (1/2 work) to prepare me.
Im more of a science/maths person and english isnt cutting it for me this year, so i like to be analytical, analyse rather then make up ideas on the spot.
Thanks1
-
A friend of mine wanted to make the same switch at the start of this however teachers didn't recommend it. You may want to ask your teachers on how you'll cope with it :) There is a fair bit you learn in U1/2 that is essential in U3/4.
-
Anyone who has done it, do you think it is a big jump? i really cannot stand English, even though im getting 20/20 19/20 etc this year, its painful experience and im more of a math/science kid
-
My school only offers English Language as a 3/4, and plenty of people do really well in it. Ask some of the people in the 1/2 class if you could read some of their essays, or go and speak to the teacher. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I think there is essay writing in English Language too.
-
lol unit 1/2 is pretty much irrelevant. I didn't do anything in 1/2
-
It certainly helps to do Unit 1&2, it puts you into the mindset of thinking about language and linguistics, and introduces metalanguage that you've probably never heard before like lexicology, morphology etc etc but I honestly don't think you would be too disadvantaged. There might be a bit of catching up to do at the start, but honestly once you're over that hurdle you'll be as ready as everyone else. And there was hardly any overlap, like at all, between Units 1/2 and 3/4 Eng lang.
-
Anyone who has done it, do you think it is a big jump? i really cannot stand English, even though im getting 20/20 19/20 etc this year, its painful experience and im more of a math/science kid
I reckon you'll be fine, I personally don't think units 1 and 2 are essential. I had a pretty bad teacher for year 11 so I bludged a lot and I don't remember learning much info that's relevant for year 12. Just go over some terminology and learn the subsystems during the holidays and you're set :) If you can't stand English, I think it'll be a smart move.
-
Anyone who has done it, do you think it is a big jump? i really cannot stand English, even though im getting 20/20 19/20 etc this year, its painful experience and im more of a math/science kid
If you're doing this well, and can maintain it in year 12 (as the standard may be higher), I don't see why you'd switch.
-
Thanks for the replies!
Im not sure if you saw an earlier post of mine, but im aiming for high 90s, so doing well in English is crucial. I'll be doing English and Eng Lang simultaneously next year, and then after a month, make my decision. But come exam time, i really dont like the thought of doing 20-25 x 3 essays in 3 hours as practice exams etc, studying characters.
Can someone possibly provide me with a list i should go over, im ready to start preparing as soon as 1/2 exams are over, in about 1.5 weeks
-
If you're doing this well, and can maintain it in year 12 (as the standard may be higher), I don't see why you'd switch.
It's really tedious before every sac/exam. I sit their writing a essay, kinda on a universal prompt, for about 4-5 hours, looking at 15 different sources (this is legit, im not hyperbolically saying this) then sitting for 2-3 hours the next day trying to rote learn it. I dont think ill have that sort of time next year with spesh, methods etc
-
Same as you, I was doing pretty well in English but hated it last year so I chose English Language. I didn't do 1/2 and I really haven't found it to be much of a disadvantage, I'm probably doing better in EL anyway. There's some key stuff that you can go over on the summer holidays and be fine. I find EL so much more enjoyable than English, definitely recommend.
-
It's really tedious before every sac/exam. I sit their writing a essay, kinda on a universal prompt, for about 4-5 hours, looking at 15 different sources (this is legit, im not hyperbolically saying this) then sitting for 2-3 hours the next day trying to rote learn it. I dont think ill have that sort of time next year with spesh, methods etc
Well the good thing about Eng. Lang is rather than analyzing a character from a novel, you analyze the language that you read right in front of you. Everything you need is right there in the text if you know what you're looking for (this is only one section of the exam tho). The other essay you write is really just a discussion on language. Sometimes it can be really broad too, like "Euphemisms promote social harmony, discuss" and they'll provide about 4 different stimulus material for you in case you don't know where to start
-
That sounds way more interesting. Like you've said, its right there in front of you. The problem with English however is that you need to buy these study guides, look online and so forth just to know the character in depth.
Same as you, I was doing pretty well in English but hated it last year so I chose English Language. I didn't do 1/2 and I really haven't found it to be much of a disadvantage, I'm probably doing better in EL anyway. There's some key stuff that you can go over on the summer holidays and be fine. I find EL so much more enjoyable than English, definitely recommend.
I think you just consolidated my decision. Would you mind messaging me about your experience with Eng Lang without 1/2 and possible topics to go over the summer break?
Thanks
-
This is just my school, but my teacher said it would be very hard to get a good score in Eng Lang 3/4 if you didn't do the 1/2. They said that if you were to do that, you would need to work your butt off but I suppose it depends on the person.
I believe the subsystems you learn in 1/2 carries onto 3/4 am I right?
But then again, if you're committed - go do it! :D
-
I think you just consolidated my decision. Would you mind messaging me about your experience with Eng Lang without 1/2 and possible topics to go over the summer break?
Thanks
I'll send you a PM when I've got some spare time :)
-
Hey I actually wanted to make the switch before my year 12 along with a few friends based on the same maths/science argument. It's definitely possible but just know that you'll be doing exactly as much writing/ideas study and preparation (if not more) (it will just be about language in society rather than characters/themes in a book), PLUS you'll have the catch-up content and the unfamiliar format of writing in english language, which has a different focus compared to english mainstream.
Each and every one of my friends regretted the decision to pick up english language (thought they still would have disliked regular english along with me) and ended up with, in my opinion, lower scores than they might have gotten had they not made the swap.
BUT, in your case it might be different. For example our school has only one very small english language year 12 class and the teacher isn't very experienced and wasn't able to help a few of my friends as much as they wanted.
If you are interested in making the swap, I suggest you look into what the real differences are over summer. If the tradeoff between talking about language rather than themes seems worth it to motivate you/keep you interested (and some of the stuff in englang is legitimately interesting/makes you think about language in a completely new way), then go ahead! Just don't think it's a completely maths/science version of english, you will still have to write and study in more or less the same way.