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Author Topic: Help me choose between English and English Language  (Read 1766 times)  Share 

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bills

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Help me choose between English and English Language
« on: June 02, 2015, 08:48:31 pm »
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I am currently in year 10, and I have been wondering which VCE English subject to choose for year 11 and 12. At the moment, I think I am doing quite well in English, scoring averages of around B+ to A's. Also, I think I am strong in maths, as I am completing Unit 1 Maths Methods and averaging A+'s (I am strongly considering undertaking GMA next year).

From what I've heard, English Language is a subject where there is always a "right" and a "wrong" answer, much similar to maths. Is this true? Will I benefit from taking English Language as opposed to English?

Feel free to comment below, any opinions or suggestions are much appreciated.

grannysmith

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2015, 09:01:59 pm »
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If it's possible, take both subjects in year 11 and from there you can decide whether to continue or not. It's what I did and it definitely helped. You may even decide to undertake both subjects in year 12.

Well, in terms of it being 'black and white', this is not necessarily the case. The English Language exam is divided into 3 sections: short answer, analytical commentary (the language analysis equivalent of EL) and an essay.

With regards to short answer, yes, there are 'right' answers and there are 'wrong' answers - but note the pluralisation of 'answers'. As with any other English-based subject, it's the way in which you substantiate and express your writing that will score marks.

The commentary and essay require similar skills to that found in normal English, but you focus on different aspects of language (i.e. linguistics).

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2015, 09:23:52 pm »
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If it's possible, take both subjects in year 11 and from there you can decide whether to continue or not. It's what I did and it definitely helped. You may even decide to undertake both subjects in year 12.

Well, in terms of it being 'black and white', this is not necessarily the case. The English Language exam is divided into 3 sections: short answer, analytical commentary (the language analysis equivalent of EL) and an essay.

With regards to short answer, yes, there are 'right' answers and there are 'wrong' answers - but note the pluralisation of 'answers'. As with any other English-based subject, it's the way in which you substantiate and express your writing that will score marks.

The commentary and essay require similar skills to that found in normal English, but you focus on different aspects of language (i.e. linguistics).

Thank you for your reply. Just out of curiosity, is English Language mainly composed of textbook work? Or is it similar to English, where you are given a text (like a novel) and must reply to it through an essay? Also, what made you choose English Language over English in the end? (Did you find a subject more difficult/interesting, etc.)

grannysmith

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2015, 09:40:31 pm »
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Thank you for your reply. Just out of curiosity, is English Language mainly composed of textbook work? Or is it similar to English, where you are given a text (like a novel) and must reply to it through an essay? Also, what made you choose English Language over English in the end? (Did you find a subject more difficult/interesting, etc.)
Nah, we hardly use the textbook. It's about learning the metalanguage and analysing texts - these could include speeches, conversations, literature, newspaper articles etc. This is essentially what you'll be doing for the short answer and commentary sections.

With the essay, I'd say it's similar to the context essay in normal English without a set text. You get a prompt and you discuss - the examples you use include contemporary usage of English (particularly in Australia), expert quotes etc. There's just no set text from which you draw ideas.

Finally, the only reason why I chose EL was because it seemed much more interesting than normal English, and I still don't disagree with that. Although I wasn't performing badly by any means, English just seemed dry. This is really subjective so YMMV.

spectroscopy

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2015, 09:58:01 pm »
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i did all 3 englishes at one point or another in vce before deciding on just doing straight english in year 12
eng lang is definitely a bit more sciencey and studyable but mainstream english is most similiar to what you do in year 10.

really both teach you about how the language is used, except english langauge is from a more linguistics point of view, where you actually study things in the familiar sciencey sense, and in english, you do it more so by reading texts and developing ideas and arguments on your interpretation of what the author says. I dropped eng lang in all honesty because i missed reading texts and writing on them, i found studying for it to be a drainer. english can be really fun if you get into it
they all involve essays though so dont do eng lang thinking its just short answer questions. if the rest of your subjects are sciencey/mathsy i would do english to give you a break from that stuff. but if youre doing essay heavy subjects like history then do eng lang to balance it out

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2015, 05:08:15 pm »
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Would it be viable to do both English Language and English 3/4 in Year 12? Or would it be better to stick to another science/math subject (something I feel I am stronger in)?

I ask this as, one English subject will be in the primary four. (If I flunk one English subject, I might be able to perform better in the other subject)

Opinions?

spectroscopy

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Re: Help me choose between English and English Language
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2015, 05:16:41 pm »
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what are your subjects going to be? if you intend to do things that you don't really need units 1/2 for like psych, hhd, legal studies, then you may as well do both eng lang and english in year 11, and see if you prefer one, or like them both, or hate the both and wanna switch into lit in semester 2.
otherwise id say do at least unit 1 of eng lang to see what its like and worst case you can always do english 3/4 without 1/2