English and English as a Second Language (ESL)

Accreditation period: 2007-2011

VCE English/ESL has been reaccredited.The reaccredited VCE English/ESL Study Design was implemented progressively:

Frequently Asked Questions

VCAA Bulletin, September 2005, p. 5 (PDF - 374KB)
Frequently asked questions on changes to the English requirement.
VCAA Bulletin, December 2006, pp. 9-10 (PDF - 436KB)
Includes frequently asked questions raised about English/ESL during the state-wide Units 1 and 2 implementation workshops held during August 2006.
VCAA Bulletin, No 52, September 2007, p. 9 (PDF - 449KB)
Includes frequently asked questions raised about English/ESL during the state-wide Units 3 and 4 implementation workshops held during May 2007.

Study Design (PDF - 428KB)
Details on areas of study, outcomes and assessment for English/ESL Units 1 and 2: 2007-2011; Units 3 and 4: 2008-2011.
For details of how to purchase a hardcopy of the VCE English/ESL Study Design, please refer to Publications
- Study Design Errata
  As published in the VCAA Bulletin (Updated July 2007)
2008 English/ESL Text List (PDF - 253KB)
VCAA Bulletin, Supplement 1, February 2007.
The approved English/ESL Text List for study in 2008.
- 2008 English/ESL Text List Errata
  As published in the VCAA Bulletin, April 2007, p.10.
- Look Both Ways (Captioned Edition) - How to obtain a copy
2009 English/ESL Text List (PDF - 152KB)
VCAA Bulletin, Supplement 3, February 2008.
The approved English/ESL Text List for study in 2009.
Study Summary (May 2006, DOC - 60KB)
A summary of the reaccredited VCE English/ESL Study Design for Units 1 and 2: 2007-2011; Units 3 and 4: 2008-2011
Summary of Changes (PDF - 108KB)
VCAA Bulletin, April 2006, Supplement 2
Details changes to the VCE English/ESL Study Design and its key features for Units 1 and 2: 2007-2011; Units 3 and 4: 2008-2011

Assessment Handbook (February 2008, DOC - 338KB)
Contains assessment information for both school-assessed coursework and the examinations including the examination criteria.
Exams and Exam Assessment Reports
Find past exams for English/ESL, past examination reports and 2008 exam criteria.
- Exams for English
- Exams for ESL

Support Material - Units 1-2

Unit 1, Area of study 1: Reading and responding
Example: Film study – Othello (DOC - 139KB)
Unit 2, Area of study 3: Using language to persuade
Example: The decriminalisation of begging (March 2007, DOC - 115KB)
Units 1 and 2, Area of study 2: Creating and presenting
Selected Context: Exploring technology and communication
Example: Exploring the world of blogs: communicating about ourselves and the world (DOC - 160KB)
Selected Context: Exploring and presenting themes or ideas
Example: The idea of justice (DOC - 163KB)
Selected Context: Exploring workplace communication
Example: The Hospital (DOC - 155KB)

Support Material - Units 3-4

English - Area of Study 2

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Area of Study 2

English and English as a Second Language (ESL) - Area of Study 2

Sample pieces of Context writing (DOC - 186KB)
Updated August 2008: additional samples, four Contexts

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Area of study 3

Plain English Speaking Award
Provides opportunities for students to build self-confidence and extend their skills in oral communication, speech writing and research.