English and English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Accreditation period Unit 1 and 2: 2016-2021

The accreditation period has been extended to 31 December 2021.

Accreditation period Unit 3 and 4: 2017-2021

The accreditation period has been extended to 31 December 2021.

Study Design

2019 English/EAL Text List (January 2018)
The approved English/EAL Text List for study in 2019.

VCAA revised guidelines for text selection (February 2018)

2020 English/EAL Text List (January 2019)
The approved English/EAL Text List for study in 2020.

Changes to the English requirement for satisfactory completion of VCE from 2018
As published in the VCAA Bulletin, February 2017.

School-based assessment

View VCE English School-based Assessment report.

View VCE English as an Additional Language School-based Assessment report.

Examination specifications, past examinations and reports

View VCE English examination specifications, past examinations and reports.

View VCE English as an Additional Language examination specifications, past examinations and reports.

Support material

Advice for teachers
Learning activities and assessment advice for teachers, including performance descriptions.

Study summary
A summary of the VCE English and English as an Additional Language Study Design for 2016-2021.

Frequently asked questions
A set of frequently asked questions for the revised VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Study Design (accreditation period 2016-2021).

Conversations about the revised study design (May 2016)
Set of filmed conversations between experienced VCE English and EAL teachers about aspects of the revised study design.

Implementation briefing materials (May 2016)
Presentations, participant workbooks and video recordings from 2016 Implementation briefings.

Unit 3 Sample course plan
This sample course plan for Unit 3 has been designed to support teachers of combined English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes.

2018 English/EAL Text List

2017 English/EAL Text List

2016 English/EAL Text List

2015 English/EAL Text List

Consultation register

Consultation on the proposed VCE English and English as an Additional Language Study Design will be conducted in 2020. The draft study design and consultation questionnaire will be available for consideration on this page during 2020. To register your interest for the public consultation, please complete the registration form.

Eligibility criteria for students seeking English as Additional Language (EAL) Status

Students who are unfamiliar with the English language because they are from non-English-speaking backgrounds or who are hearing impaired may have access to English as an Additional Language (EAL) status.

To apply for EAL status, each student is required to submit an Application for Enrolment in English as an Additional Language Units 3 and 4 form to the school, please see the link below.

A student may be eligible for EAL status if they meet both of the following conditions:

• They have been a resident in Australia or New Zealand or other predominantly English-speaking country for not more than seven years over the period of their education NOTE: The period of seven years is to be calculated cumulatively over the student’s whole life.

• English has been the student’s major language of instruction for a total period of not more than seven years over the period of their education.

OR:

• they are a student of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent whose first language is not English.

OR:

• they have a hearing impairment (must produce evidence of hearing loss of 60 decibels or greater in their better ear.)

EAL applications for students whose country of origin is Singapore or India must be submitted to the VCAA for assessment with supporting documentation.

Schools cannot approve these students.

Other special circumstances for EAL status that may be considered by the VCAA in determining a student’s eligibility for EAL status include:

• minimal or no primary school education
• material interruptions to schooling during primary years, particularly if there were changes to the language of instruction
• material interruptions to schooling after arrival in Australia.

Please refer to the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook section – Administrative information: Student enrolment, Students seeking EAL status.

Please see the enrolment application form.