English Language
Unit 1-2
Subject Overview
Language is never a neutral and transparent means of representing reality. It encodes and reflects social and cultural understandings, and shapes our identity, our interactions, and our society. English Language is an exciting, rigorous and challenging course of study well suited to students who are curious about the way in which their world works.
This study of the English Language is based on the field of Linguistics. In EL you will explore language as a complex system which evolves based on how we humans use it. You will consider the ways that context shapes language choice, and in turn, how this contributes to the evolution of language. In these units you will not be involved in the close reading of imaginative texts such as novels, but you will undertake close readings of a variety of non-fiction texts to determine the way in which the subsystems of language contribute to meaning. This course has a significant focus on the ‘building blocks’ of language (what we might typically refer to under the umbrella of ‘grammar’) and you will use these to analyse a range of spoken and written texts. In this class you will examine how the rules of language apply to the creation of new words, and how the meaning and usage of language changes over time.
Unit 1
Area of Study 1: The nature and function of language
In this unit you will consider the complex and changing system of language. You will explore how meaning is conveyed through spoken and written modes, and consider how language changes depending on context. You will study the subsystems of language and explore what makes human communication unique, as well as how it reflects (and shapes) our social interactions
Area of Study 2: child language acquisition
In this unit you will explore the ways that children acquire language. You will study how children learn to use words, the phonological and grammatical conventions of the language, as well as the appropriate use of these conventions in different social situations.
Unit 2
Area of Study 1: English across time
Languages are dynamic and language change is an inevitable and a continuous process. In this area of study you will examine the changes that have occurred in English over time. You will examine the origins of the English language and explore factors shaping its development and possible futures. You will also consider different attitudes to language change and the idea of ‘correct English.’
Area of Study 2: Englishes in contact
The global spread of English has led to a diversification of the language. English is now being used by more people as an additional or a foreign language than as a first language! Contact between English and other languages has led to the development of geographical and ethnic varieties, but has also hastened the decline of indigenous languages. In this unit you will consider the cultural repercussions of the spread of English, as well as the evolution of ‘different Englishes’ like Singlish. You’ll also explore pidgins and creoles and the idea of English as a global tool of communication.
Assessment Tasks:
Short Answer Response
Analytical Commentary
English Language Essay
Case Study research project
Do this subject if:
You’re interested in the English language
You’d like to explore the relationships between language and power
You’re interested in the way technology is shifting language use
You have strong feelings about grammar
You have zero feelings about grammar because you were never taught it and you’d like to learn
You’d like to better understand why our politicians and leaders use particular kinds of words
You might want to be a teacher, tutor, or work with children in an educational setting
You enjoy real-world discussions rather than ones about fictional texts
You’re interested in the relationship between language and our thoughts
Pre-VCE English pathway subjects (Mainstream English or Literature)
Unit 3&4 English Language
Unit 3-4
Student Testimonials:
Fantastic for better understanding our language and how it interacts with our culture, as well as how it impacts and is influenced by our identity.
English Language is a great alternative to regular English and Literature, particularly if you're not an avid reader. It has also made me reconsider the way in which I speak and pay way more attention to the way people speak more generally. The value of this subject is in the way it makes you consider the word choice in your everyday sentences, the media, and ‘politician speak’. The various metalinguistic concepts that you learn throughout the year are extremely interesting and have expanded my knowledge and vocabulary significantly. The workload is hefty but worthwhile. I strongly recommend this subject as its value in a broader sense far outweighs the value of normal English. The things I have learned in this subject I will value for the rest of my life.
Completely changes how you perceive language, granting insights and a brand new perspective on everyday interactions and communication.
What I find most exciting about this subject is exploring the way language reflects our beliefs and attitudes. This is the science of English.
English Language is a wonderful subject that sets you up with knowledge that you will use your whole life by analysing and discussing texts that you come across on a day to day basis.
Subject Overview
Language is never a neutral and transparent means of representing reality. It encodes and reflects social and cultural understandings, and shapes our identity, our interactions, and our society. English Language is an exciting, rigorous and challenging course of study well suited to students who are curious about the way in which their world works.
This study of the English Language is based on the field of Linguistics. In EL you will explore language as a complex system which evolves based on how we humans use it. You will consider the ways that context shapes language choice, and in turn, how this contributes to the evolution of language. In these units you will not be involved in the close reading of imaginative texts such as novels, but you will undertake close readings of a variety of non-fiction texts to determine the way in which the subsystems of language contribute to meaning. This course has a significant focus on the ‘building blocks’ of language (what we might typically refer to under the umbrella of ‘grammar’) and you will use these to analyse a range of spoken and written texts. In this class you will examine how the rules of language apply to the creation of new words, and how the meaning and usage of language changes over time.
Unit 3 - Language variation and social purpose
Area of Study 1: Informal language
Informal language is the language of the private sphere: of family, friendship groups, colleagues who work closely together. This unit offers a close examination of the way in which speakers and writers choose to vary the style of their language to suit a particular social purpose. We explore the features that distinguish informal language from more formal language using linguistic concepts and metalanguage, consider Standard and non-Standard language forms, differences in the nature and functions of formal and informal texts and the critical relationship between function, social purpose and language choices. Transcripts of conversations, radio and television programs and interviews provide fascinating material for analysis.
Area of Study 2: Formal language Speakers and writers choose from a repertoire of language to achieve a particular purpose. As with informal language, the situational and cultural context determines whether people use formal language with consideration to the need for increased social distance. Formal language is the language of the public domain and is used to celebrate, commemorate as well as obfuscate. We explore the features that distinguish formal language using linguistic concepts and metalanguage, looking for the organisational and stylistic features of texts drawn from bureaucratic documents, public communications, literature as well as formal speeches.
Unit 4 - Language variation and identity
Area of Study 1: Language variation in Australian society
How does language contribute to the construction of a shared national identity? What distinguishes Australian English from other Englishes? We explore how the Broad, General and Cultivated Australian accents reflect the society from which they emerge as well as the attitudes towards them and changing ideas of prestige. A key understanding is that Australia is not linguistically uniform.
Area of Study 2: Individual and group identities
What is the role of language in reflecting and constructing individual and group identities? Language users are able to play different roles within different speech communities through (often unconscious) language variation determined by age, by gender, occupation, education etc. Social identities are drawn from membership of particular groups and we explore how, as individuals, we make language choices that draw on our understanding of social expectations and community attitudes. A key understanding is how societal attitudes, personal associations and individual prejudices can led to social disadvantage and discrimination against use of non-Standard English dialects and accents.
Assessment Tasks:
Short Answer Response
Analytical Commentary
English Language Essay
Do this subject if:
You’re interested in the English language
You’d like to explore the relationships between language and power
You’re interested in the way technology is shifting language use
You are curious about the way language establishes and declares identity: yours and everyone else’s
You have strong feelings about grammar
You have zero feelings about grammar because you were never taught it and you’d like to learn
You’d like to better understand why our politicians and leaders use particular kinds of words
You might want to be a teacher, tutor, or work with children in an educational setting
You enjoy real-world discussions rather than ones about fictional texts
You’re interested in the relationship between language and our thoughts
You want to try something different to mainstream English while challenging yourself
VCE English Language Units 1 & 2
At university - Linguistics, Journalism, Literary/Cultural Studies, Communications