English Language

Links to the following resources:

• Unit 1 & 2 English Language Information Handout

• Year 11 Student perspective video - John Freeman

• Year 11 Student written testimonial - Tomas Cooling

• Year 12 Student perspective video - Elijah Barrett

Learning Area Leader: Ms Dimitrokalis

Career Paths / Future Directions:

Advertising, Editing, Film and Radio, Journalism, Law, Librarian, Policy Development, Politics, Public Relations, Publishing, Script Editing and Writing, Teaching

Unit 1 – Language and Communication (Code: ENLA11)

Description

Language is an essential part of the human experience and is the means by which individuals relate to the world, to each other and to the communities of which they are members. In this unit, students consider the way language is organised so users can communicate effectively and make sense of the world around them. Students explore the nature and functions of language, as well as the relationship between speech and writing as the dominant modes of language. Also considered are the situational and cultural contexts of language choices. Lastly, students investigate language acquisition across a range of subsystems. This subject is informed by linguistics and suits most students, but in particular students with a more analytical approach to the study of English and who are inquisitive about languages.

Assessment

• Folios

• Investigation reports

• Tests

• Essays

• Case studies

• Short-answer questions

• Written or oral analyses of data

• Analyses of spoken and written texts

• Oral and/or multimodal presentations

Unit 2 – Language Change (Code: ENLA22)

Description

In this unit, students focus on language change, because language is dynamic and change is an inevitable and continuous process. Students consider factors contributing to the English Language’s change over time and its spread across the globe. They do this by exploring both past and contemporary texts, considering how all subsystems of the language system are affected: phonetics and phonology, morphology and lexicology, syntax, discourse and semantics. Attitudes to language change are also considered, whilst contemplating the future of English. Lastly, students contemplate the cultural repercussions of the spread of English.

Assessment

• Folios / Investigation reports

• Tests / Essays

• Case studies / Short-answer questions

• Written or oral analyses of data

• Analyses of spoken and written texts

• Oral and/or multimodal presentations

Unit 3 – Language Variation and Social Purpose (Code: ENLA33)

Description

In this unit, students investigate English language in the contemporary Australian social setting, along a continuum of formal and informal registers. Considering language as a means of societal interaction, students explore the ways written and spoken texts convey information, ideas, attitudes, prejudices and ideological stances. Lastly, students consider how texts are influenced by the situational and cultural contexts in which they occur, particularly focusing on how situational factors and the relationship between participants all contribute to a person’s language choices, as do their values, attitudes and beliefs. They learn how language can be indicative of relationships, power structures and purpose.

Assessment

• Written reports of an investigation

• Folios of annotated texts (journal)

• Short-answer questions

• Essays

• Analytical commentary of one or more texts

Unit 4 – Language Variation and Identity (Code: ENLA44)

Description

In this unit, students focus on the role of language in establishing and challenging different identities. Many varieties of English are used in contemporary Australian society, including national, regional, cultural and social variations. Whilst standard Australian English is the variety granted prestige in society and has a role in establishing national identity, it is the non-Standard varieties that play a role in constructing users’ social and cultural identities; students examine a range of texts to explore these notions. Ultimately, students explore how language constructs our identity; how our sense of identity evolves in response to situations and experiences, and is influenced by how we see ourselves and how others see us. Lastly, students explore how language can distinguish between ‘us’ and ‘them’, thus reinforcing the degree of social distance and/or solidarity.

Assessment

• Written reports of an investigation

• Folios of annotated texts (journal)

• Short-answer questions

• Essays

• Analytical commentary of one or more texts

Unit 3 Coursework 25%

Unit 4 Coursework 25%

Written Examination (November) 50%