What do you study in English Language

VCE Englishlanguage can be challenging at times, but it is definitely a very fun andrewarding subject. One of the features that drew me to pick English languageVCE was the relevance to today's world. From digital communication, tomulticulturalism, to the relationship between language and power, I guaranteeyou'd be able to apply your skills into everyday life.

Whether you'rea year 10 student deciding which subjects to pick, or already committed toEnglish language, this blog is the place for you. The new VCE English languagestudy design 2024-2028 is packed with exciting updates and opportunities togrow your love for the subject. Without further ado, lets break down the latestupdates and what you can expect to explore in this subject.

The studydesign is organised into four units:

Unit 1:Focuses on "language and communication", exploring how languagefunctions in different contexts.

Unit 2:Touches on the evolution of English language over the years, highlighting thefeatures of Old English and how it morphed to contemporary English we usetoday.

Unit 3: Delvesinto English language in different social settings, and how social interactionshighlight an individual's "ideas, attitudes, prejudices andideological stances".

Unit 4: Explores how language establishes and challenges identities through various textsby constructing social and cultural identities.

Let's divedeeper into each specific unit.

UNIT 1

In Unit 1 Area of Study 1, the focusis on the relationship between language and social context. Imagine language asa tool that adapts based on who we are talking to, where we are, and what wewant to achieve. This outcome is all about mastering the art of communicationby understanding these dynamics.

Key concepts:

 
• Language Variation: You’ll      explore how language changes depending on the social setting. This      includes formal vs. informal language, professional jargon vs. everyday      speech, and how we adjust our language when speaking to different      audiences—whether it’s friends, family, colleagues, or strangers.

 
• The structure of language: We'll be breaking down the language part of      English language and figure out the basic building blocks and the rules      of English, "from      morphemes to lexemes, to phrases and clauses, to sentence structures and      types"

In Unit 1 Area of Study 2, the focusis on child language acquisition - literally how a child learns a new language.In class, I recall watching videos of toddlers"talking", an experience that was delightful and adorable - and put asmile on everyone's faces.

Key concepts:

 
• Stages of Language Development: Students explore the stages through which children      typically acquire language skills, from babbling and single-word      utterances to complex sentence structures.

 
• Theories of Language Acquisition: Various linguistic theories are examined to explain      how children learn language.

 
• Factors Influencing Language Development: Students investigate the role of environmental      factors, such as caregiver interactions and socio-economic status, as      well as biological factors that contribute to language acquisition.

UNIT 2

Ever wondered why Shakespeare's workslook so different to present-day English language? In Unit 2 Area of Study 1,we are teleported back in time, learning about the factors that brought Englishfrom its origins as a west Germanic language, to what we use now in oureveryday lives. To me, this unit was really more like a history lesson than anEnglish lesson - which I particularly enjoyed.

Key concepts:

 
• Historical development: Students      explore the various factors influencing language change, including time      and geographical locations, and how English almost died out but was saved      by King Alfred the Great.

In Unit 2 Area of study 2, we learnabout the spread of English, and what happens when languages come into contact.

Key concepts:

 
• Linguistic relativism and determinism: Linguistic relativism posits that language influences      perception and thought, while linguistic determinism suggests it also      determines and constrains worldview.

 
• Language Contact: Students      explore how English interacts with and influences other languages through      processes such as borrowing, code-switching, and language mixing.

 
• Varieties of English: The unit      examines different varieties of English spoken worldwide, including      pidgins, creoles, and regional dialects, highlighting linguistic      diversity and adaptation.

UNIT 3

Unit 3 Area of Study 1 focuses onunderstanding and analysing informal language in both written and spoken forms.It explores how language adapts in informal contexts and its impact on socialpurposes. One thing that struck me is how advertisements are purposely made tobe more informal to portray a more "genuine" and"personable" persona, hiding their ulterior motive of attracting morecustomers.

Key concepts:

 
• Understanding informal language features: We'll dissect slang, colloquialisms, and      non-standard grammar to uncover how they shape informal communication.

 
• Expressive functions: Investigating      how informal language allows speakers to convey emotions, attitudes, and      personal identity authentically (or not).

Unit 3 Area of Study 2 explores formallanguage. This was by far the area I found the most enjoyable - learning howlanguage is used by different people in different contexts to achieve theirgoals. For example, how certain politicians would use language to absolveblame, or shift the focus from their wrongdoings to something else. Or howsomeone would use very jargonistic terms to sound smarter like they know whatthey're talking about.

Key concepts:

 
• Nature and functions of formal and informal texts: Understanding how formal texts uphold conventions      and structure, while informal texts are characterized by spontaneity and      colloquialism.

 
• Contextual relationship with language features in      formal texts: Analysing how the context      influences the linguistic choices and structures found in formal texts,      shaping their coherence and impact.

 
• Features and functions of formal writing and speech: Exploring how literature and public domain texts      use formal language to convey authority, clarity, and adherence to      stylistic norms, employing discourse features and precise lexical choices      for cohesion and persuasive effect.

UNIT 4

Unit 4 Area of Study 1 focuses on thelanguage variation specific to the Australian society - essentially Unit 2 AOS2, but much much narrower.

Key concepts:

 
• Variation in Australian English: We learn about how Australian English varies      according to culture - Aboriginal English and ethnolects, as well as the      different accents: Broad, General and Cultivated

 
• National Identity: We learn about      the role of language in constructing national identity

 
• Attitudes to different varieties of English: prescriptivism and descriptivism

While Unit 4 AOS 1 is about howlanguage variation in Australian contribute to our unique national identity,unit 4 AOS 2 is more like zooming in, learning about how the language we usecontribute to an individual's unique identity. We're not looking at the bigpicture but rather the finer details. I remember just analysing everythingabout myself - from my hobbies to the way I talk with my friends, and linkingit back to English language.

Key concepts:

 
• Social and personal variation in language: Examining how factors like age, gender, occupation,      interests, aspirations, and education influence language use and identity      formation.

 
• Features contributing to individual and group      identity: Identifying linguistic traits      that foster a sense of personal identity and group belonging, for example      Teenspeak.

In conclusion VCE English Language isn't just a subject; it's a journey of discoveryand understanding that stretches far beyond the classroom.  When you find yourself subconsciouslyanalysing everything around you and link back to English language like a nerd,you've truly grasped the beauty of English language. Until then, takeaction.

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More information, "VCE English Language Study Design"

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