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Year 12 English as an Additional Language Units 3 and 4

Overview

Year 12 English as an Additional Language (EAL) is divided into three main Areas of Study.

In Unit 3 Reading and creating texts, you will express your ideas through formal and creative writing. This Area of Study is based on the short story collection, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. In Analysing argument, you will examine and analyse the influence of the Australian media. During Listening to texts, you will develop and refine your listening skills through a variety of listening activities.

In Unit 4 Reading and comparing texts, you will explore the meaningful connections between Ransom and The Queen. In Presenting argument, you will build on your understanding of both the analysis and construction of texts that attempt to influence audiences and practise performing your own persuasive presentations. Students who complete Year 12 English as an Additional Language will improve their ability to think clearly; and express themselves orally and in writing. They will also be perceptive about the influence of today’s media.

Who is it for?

EAL Units 3 and 4 is a Year 12 English course for students who are eligible to complete EAL as an alternative to the mainstream English course. Student eligibility is determined by the VCAA and this is managed by the home school. A student may be eligible for EAL status if they meet both of the following criteria.

Criteria no.
Criteria for EAL status
1

A student:

  • will not have resided in Australia or another predominantly English-speaking country for a total period of more than seven years prior to 1 January in the year the student will be undertaking Units 3 and 4 EAL* and
  • has been enrolled in schools where English has been the student’s major language of instruction for a total period of seven years or less over the period of their education^
2
  • A student is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person whose first language is not English
3
  • A student is deaf or hard of hearing and meets the eligibility requirements

*The period of seven years is to be calculated cumulatively over the student’s whole life. The calculation of time spent in Australia is made from the date of last arrival plus any previous periods of time spent in Australia or any predominantly English-speaking country. Time spent out of Australia during school holidays should be included in the accumulation towards the seven years because there would have been no disruption to education during these periods.

^Schools must sight the student’s overseas school reports to confirm that the language of instruction was not English during this period.

What do you do?

Activities you will do include:

  • writing both short and long responses to texts of many kinds
  • exploring your own ideas in writing about a range of ideas and issues
  • reading and responding critically to Australian media issues
  • listening to a variety of texts and responding to them
  • writing forum posts, discussing your ideas with other students
  • attend online lessons and tutorials.

What skills do you need?

Students should be able to read texts and respond in writing at a Year 12 EAL level.

Adult students returning to education or those with interrupted study experiences may gain the necessary skills with intensive practice and support, and should discuss their best study option with a VSV VCE advisor.

What skills do you develop?

You will develop skills including:

  • reading and analysing literary texts
  • writing in a range of styles: creative, journalism, communication and analytical
  • analysing ideas and themes in texts and ways other people write
  • listening to different types of texts and responding to questions on those texts
  • building your vocabulary and developing your essay writing skills.

Requirements

Students seeking to enrol in EAL at VSV will need to complete and submit an EAL Pre-Enrolment Form with their enrolment application.

Internet is needed to access this course. All weekly work will be completed and submitted online.

Student must purchase copies of these texts in preparation for the study. The film is available on many different viewing platforms. The film is also available in the course.

David Malouf, Ransom, (Vintage Books), 2010
Stephen Frears, The Queen, (Film) 2006
Born a Crime, Trevor Noah, 2017.

Things to think about

Look at the other English courses available at VSV and consider whether you are best suited to English or EAL. English Literature and English Language are also available in Year 12.

VCE EAL is suitable for students who will typically have English language proficiency at a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 4 level or its equivalent.

If you believe you may need more support in developing your English skills, consider completing Foundation English or Year 11 English first.

Things you can do now

Students can get off to a great start over the summer by buying and reading or viewing the set texts for Units 3 and 4, EAL. These texts and their details are available in your VSV Resource list.

To support your understanding of persuasive language, a useful activity is to read and collect newspaper and magazine articles. A good place to start is to read the newspapers such as The Age, The Australian and The Guardian Australian version. Start with the topics that you enjoy and then progress to the front pages, opinion columns and current news.

You can also make a point of watching Australian current affairs programs on the ABC such as Four Corners, the 7.30 Report and Insiders. Listening to local ABC radio and Radio National programs and podcasts are excellent resources too.

Go to the VCAA website for more information about this subject.

Things to have a look at

VCAA Study Design

You can read the EAL VCAA Study Design on the VCAA website.