Necessity of 1/2 for English Language

[Einstein]

Hey Guys,
 
I know i have made a similar thread before, but i really need to come to a conclusion. Im dreading English, and can't see myself doing it for the next 2 years. Im currently in Year 11 and am killing myself for not choosing 1/2 this year (not literally). Most likely i can pick up is in Unit 2 if someone drops out or wait until next year in 3/4.

1) Can i do well in 3/4 without 1/2?
2) What specific parts do you think i should go over to prepare for 3/4?
3) Do you think i should start catching up on the missed 1/2 work now, or wait until Term 1 holidays and go over briefly through the course work?

Thanks!

[chikedi]

You can do well in unit 3/4 even without 1/2, but it's better to change through the semester. You can study by going on the vcaa website and it will have a list of meta language which you can create summaries and definitions for. You don't need to go over it now, but it doesn't hurt to do a little extra study. Also take a look at the subsystems, morphology, phonology, lexicology, semantics and syntax.

[MrsNicoleB]

It can be done, and EL rocks BUT...

Why are you wanting to get out of mainstream English?  I think THIS is the question to ask - not whether you can catch up.

Don't go thinking that EL is easier, requires less homework, less reading, less writing.  UNTRUE!! 

It's quite technical with lots of new language to analyse. 
You read text books rather than novels. 
You STILL write complicated essays and analysis tasks (which are unlike anything you've probably come across before).  Examiners expect 600-800 words in about 50 minutes (two of these written tasks plus short answer questions in exam). 
You need to be committed and have an interest in how we use language.
There's not necessarily ONE right answer - sometimes there are multiple correct answers.  You can't memorize 'correct' answers for typical questions - something that trips up students who think that this will be a 'black and white' subject like a science or maths.  It's not.

I'm a teacher.  Please think about it! 'Why are you wanting to get out of mainstream English?'

[Einstein]

It can be done, and EL rocks BUT...

Why are you wanting to get out of mainstream English?  I think THIS is the question to ask - not whether you can catch up.

Don't go thinking that EL is easier, requires less homework, less reading, less writing.  UNTRUE!! 

It's quite technical with lots of new language to analyse. 
You read text books rather than novels. 
You STILL write complicated essays and analysis tasks (which are unlike anything you've probably come across before).  Examiners expect 600-800 words in about 50 minutes (two of these written tasks plus short answer questions in exam). 
You need to be committed and have an interest in how we use language.
There's not necessarily ONE right answer - sometimes there are multiple correct answers.  You can't memorize 'correct' answers for typical questions - something that trips up students who think that this will be a 'black and white' subject like a science or maths.  It's not.

I'm a teacher.  Please think about it! 'Why are you wanting to get out of mainstream English?'

Ill just cut to the chase, its boring, I'm not interested in racing - its more like being forced to (torcher?) - i have to keep my self in my room for about 3-4 hours to get 1 good essay done and in just plain words, i hate analysing characters, themes etc.

[grannysmith]

Ill just cut to the chase, its boring, I'm not interested in racing - its more like being forced to (torcher?) - i have to keep my self in my room for about 3-4 hours to get 1 good essay done and in just plain words, i hate analysing characters, themes etc.

In that case, I wouldn't hesitate to change into English Language

[chikedi]

Ill just cut to the chase, its boring, I'm not interested in racing - its more like being forced to (torcher?) - i have to keep my self in my room for about 3-4 hours to get 1 good essay done and in just plain words, i hate analysing characters, themes etc.

English Language will most likely be better for you then, I felt exactly like that last year with mainstream English and find English Language better.

[Einstein]

it seems to be a really "hard" subject with lots of memorising

[MrsNicoleB]

It certainly is a 'hard' subject that requires memorisation of many new terms.  Harder than that is that you will need to (without prompting - there will be no real hints about what features you need to discuss) pick features out of a text and analyse why they use these (e.g. agentless passives, covert prestige).  You still need to write 'torturous' essays and analysis tasks - TWO of them during the exam, on top of short answer questions. 
I love it, but it's not 'easier' than mainstream English.