50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[smile+energy]

Hi KrystalClear,

There is no physical difference between the EAL and English papers.

The difference lies in two main aspects:

1) The exams are marked to a different standard. That means examiners will take into concern that fact that EAL students do not use English as their first language. Also, there are some differences in exam criteria, especially in the Language Analysis, where EAL students do not have to write an intro or conclusion.

2) Your cohort is different. You will only be marked against the rest of the people who do the same exam. That means EAL students often face easier competition. However, it is hard to score over 45 if you are not fluent in the English language, as a percentage of EAL students, despite studying EAL, are.

All the best!

Yang

Hi, Yang
The competition is easier, that sounds good. Thanks for your help.

[teacher28]

Dear KrystalClear (Forgive me for jumping in here Yang Li),

There are 2 main differences in the EAL paper:

1. Section c (analysis of persuasive language) requires a note form response to the material as well as a piece of analytical prose.

2. The analysis asks for  an explanation of "how language and visual features have been used" referring to "three of the main points". Although an intro or conclusion is not mandatory, I always ask my (previously ESL)/ EAL students to provide both and the students have scored exceptionally well. Additionally, the text for analysis is just slightly simpler than the mainstream.

[Yang Li]

Hi teacher28,

Thank you for clarifying. I also encourage all EAl students to write an intro and conclusion for section C, especially because it is the easiest essay of the three to introduce.

 

[smile+energy]

Dear KrystalClear (Forgive me for jumping in here Yang Li),

There are 2 main differences in the EAL paper:

1. Section c (analysis of persuasive language) requires a note form response to the material as well as a piece of analytical prose.

2. The analysis asks for  an explanation of "how language and visual features have been used" referring to "three of the main points". Although an intro or conclusion is not mandatory, I always ask my (previously ESL)/ EAL students to provide both and the students have scored exceptionally well. Additionally, the text for analysis is just slightly simpler than the mainstream.

Thanks teacher 28, I fully understand it now.

[Yang Li]

Hey hollyoconnor,

Why don't you get started and post any specific questions you have on this thread?

I will be quite busy in the next week or so, but I'm sure I will get around to checking this thread once in a while. And if I do not, I'm sure someone credible will have good advice to post.

All the best,

Yang

[blubby]

Hi Yang! I was wondering if you are willing to proofread and help me out with my oral? Is it alright if I pm you it?

[charmanderp]

Hi Yang! I was wondering if you are willing to proofread and help me out with my oral? Is it alright if I pm you it?

In the post above Yang has said he'll be busy in the coming days, so I'd recommend you post your oral here if you'd like some more immediate feedback (and indeed, more different points of view): English Work Submission and Marking

[Yang Li]

Good idea.

Thanks Charmanderp.

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

I'm back. Ask away!

Yang

P.S. Please try and post here instead of PMing.

Also, a reminder that the first post of this thread has my LA notes.

[smile+energy]

Hi, Yang Li

I am collecting some info for my speech, and I using the Echo site as a guide. I also found that there are lots of info in it, I wanna know if I can use some of the ideas from the site?

Thanks in advance.

[Yang Li]

Hi KrystalClear,

Are you referring to the Uni of Queensland initiative? I quite like some of the material they have provided. It is not directly relevant to VCE, but it certainly is quite helpful when looking for contemporary Australian issues to tackle in your oral.

I suggest definitely use the site for ideas, but write your own speech and make sure you give it a few goes in front of a mirror or some family and friends before tackling the SAC.

All the best!

Yang

[Cort]

Hi Yang,

Currently I'm running around headless because the teacher is teaching (if she is at all) in a very weird fashion. I feel as though I am learning or taking anything out of our lessons.  I have the resources, but I do not know what to do. I lack direction. Currently I am studying A Christmas Carol. So I wanted to ask:
a. When analysing the text, is it good to read the chapter first, THEN read the analyse of it? Or is it better tio read the chapter along with the analysis?
b. In terms of analysis, I often feel as though it is useless writing things (waste of time) that I'm picking up from the analysis book (insight). However, I feel as though I am not doing anything productive if I do not write. What should I do in this case?
c. Should I even be attempting essay questions at this point? That is, go slowly, break down the questions and find/create some good arguments? The reason why I have not begun I feel as though I do not know the text enough, even though I have read it twice. However, even if I do analyse the text - I feel as though I am not contributing to my understanding of HOW to write for the sac. Or, practicing to write for the sac at all.
d. How can I utilise my time effectively between things I want to do (eg, do some external ULP to build up momentum) against balancing things I have to do (eg. exercises etc)?

Thanks,
Cort.

[brenden]

Hey Cort,

Personally, I think a lot of your questions just depend on the person so I'm not answering them --

I'm actually just curious if you could give me an Insight about your particular struggles with ACC? I'm developing content for the vTextbook (not sure if you've heard abut it, it's sort of AN's new project), I just want to get an idea of perhaps some ways to approach my videos.

May as well take this opportunity to say to anyone a bit unsure of A Christmas Carol, Cloudstreet, or In the Country of Men, if you could PM me with some quick detail on areas of focus you might think useful, I'd appreciate that a lot. Obviously, I've got my own ideas, but it's always best to hear from the people you're intending to teach!

[Yang Li]

Hi Cort,

Firstly, the issues you face are very common among English students, so don't feel like you are alone in your struggles.

It is hard to gain a sense of direction in English because often, schools don't design their course in a very structured manner. To complicate things further, you have to learn how to tackle each essay type and figure out what is expected of you in the exam. This in turn is frustrated by the time-consuming nature of practising essay writing.

To resolve these issues I suggest you try the following:

1) Read your text (not necessarily context texts) at least three times. On your second reading, have a pencil in hand to note down any reoccurring themes and motifs, as well as any changes in characters and their relationships. On your third reading, ask yourself if you could have interpreted anything differently from the second reading and jot them down.

2) Practise writing paragraphs every day and have your teacher/tutor read them. Improvement comes from constant feedback. I break down all the paragraphs in all the essays for my students so that they have a good grasp of every single part of every single essay. Putting them together requires minimal effort.

3) Keep gathering good ideas, vocabulary and sentence structures. Emulation is as key to success as practice. This is essentially the process of gathering ammunition for tackling the exam. Try new things and master them before you get to the exam. This process is especially important for context essays if you want to stand out.

I hope that helps in giving you some direction

All the best,

Yang

[smile+energy]

Hi KrystalClear,

Are you referring to the Uni of Queensland initiative? I quite like some of the material they have provided. It is not directly relevant to VCE, but it certainly is quite helpful when looking for contemporary Australian issues to tackle in your oral.

I suggest definitely use the site for ideas, but write your own speech and make sure you give it a few goes in front of a mirror or some family and friends before tackling the SAC.

All the best!

Yang

Thanks, Yang Li