Literature VS English....Which one to choose?

[geek123456]

Umm I am a bit confused about choosing the compulsory English subject.Will it be easy to cope up with Lit ? Should I try Eng and go for Lit later?

[geek123456]

Thankyou!

[patriciarose]

Umm I am a bit confused about choosing the compulsory English subject.English is my favourite subject but I have recently moved to Australia so I am a bit confused about Lit and Eng.Will it be easy to cope up with Lit although English is my second Language? In my previous board exam I scored an A plus in English Language that was assessed by the University of Cambridge(O levels).Should I try Eng and go for Lit later?

P.s I am joining grade eleven in second term.

i don't know anything about o levels, sorry, but i can give you pros and cons of the subjects (:

ENGLISH.
pros:
 – if you're good at everything in english you'll probably do well because it's all assessed (argument and language analysis, text response, oral presentation, creative writing, comparative essay)
– the majority of the students in the state take this, so it's easier to get into the top percentiles just because there are kind of a lot of people not trying that hard? that sounds rude oops but everyone has to do an english subject and most choose this one.
– so the more people in the subject, the more are able to get 40+ scores. it's very rare that i consider the grading bell curve to be a gift but it 100% is in english haha
– you don't need to be analysing at an extremely high level to do well (whereas in lit obviously the standard is higher)

cons:
– you get marked on the five fairly different areas i listed above (so eg. if you hate presentations that's not going to be a lot of fun haha)
– less freedom within your essays to some degree
– you're going to have people in your class who do not care and that can be distracting/annoying

LIT.
pros:
– you do quite a few different kinds of essays and if you like writing they're a lot of fun (: if you don't like writing it will be the antithesis of fun though omg so bear that in mind. but also? if you don't like writing, do not do lit lmao.
– everyone in your class (probably) wants to be there and they'll be engaged
– lit discussion is so. much. better. than the ones in english ahaha
– a lot more freedom with some of the essays, you get to have as many paragraphs as you like and experiment with the lengths (but this could also be a con idk it annoys some people)

cons:
– a lot of reading. you need to go over your texts heaps and if that's not your thing idk if you'll enjoy it
– you have to write fast. which to some degree is the same in english but i'm pretty sure the time constraints in lit are more severe
– many of the students who are really passionate about english take lit, so there's much more competition and you're expected to work to a higher standard
– different essay structures from english, so it's odd to try to get your head around at the start

i don't think you'd be at a disadvantage in lit as long as you have a good vocabulary, the subject interests you and you're willing to work. you could always do the rest of this year in english and then pick up lit next year if it's still appealing to you? maybe find out who teaches year twelve literature and ask them what they think about choosing it next year, or talk to a friend who's taking it and get their opinion? if it helps, i did english in year eleven because i couldn't fit lit into my timetable (and my school requires you to do english ugh) but found out who the lit teacher was and got them to tell me what the class was like, so i wouldn't be too behind when i picked it up this year. (and for the record, he said often students who pick lit up in year twelve do really well and there's no guarantee that doing an extra year of it is that helpful, which was kind of reassuring).

[peterpiper]

Looking through O-levels cambridge, I'd say that its standards are around minimum-standard for VCE english.

Judging by the fact that you're a student from overseas, you might want to do EAL (english as an additional language) which is aimed for students whose first language isn't English and see if you're eligible to be enrolled into it. I don't know where you're at in terms of being able to cope for VCE English essay-styles, but if you say that you've only a background in English Language at O-Levels (and I've only looked at the past papers of it), from what I see, I'm going to be blunt and strongly advise you not to take up Literature.

If you say that you've only just moved to Australia and that English isn't your first language, see if you're eligible for EAL. It's good that you like English (not many do), and I don't want to deter you, but doing Literature is a whole different ballpark compared to what you're used to at O-Levels. See how you go in English (standard) VCE and maybe for Unit 3/4 switch over to EAL if you're eligible.

[geek123456]

Thankyou @partriciarose and @peterpiper I am really grateful for your sincere advice and guidance

[LOVEPHYSICS]

If English is not your first language, then I will be wary of Literature and at least consider EAL. Ultimately, it comes down to personal interests and knowing what is expected of you. One way of checking the latter is to head to the VCAA assessment website and look at some of the high scoring English text responses from students of that year - read the Examiners Report. Note that those essays are written in around 45-60 minutes and ask yourself whether you could write at that similar level in a year or so. Do the same for Literature. If you deem English or Literature too difficult, then you must consider EAL.

I have also had a quick look of the O-Level assessment scheme and it doesn't seem very rigorous if I am being honest. In Australia, there is a strong emphasis on reading texts/plays in detail and being able to answer questions on them under timed conditions through writing fairly substantial essays. This will be evident if you look through the VCAA past exams. Cambridge English assessments don't seem to reflect that as much although your school may have.

Good luck.

[geek123456]

Thankyou LOVEPHYSICS !