[English] How to market English Language

[Cleary, Monica M]

Hi,
 
I am currently teaching English at Patterson River Secondary College in Carrum.
 
I have a dozen students in my two Yr 10 English classes who have shown an interest in studying English Language. There are four or five other classes, and I presume that there are students in them who would also be interested.
 
I am able to take this to the Curriculum Committee at the college, but I would like to have some further details at my fingertips to demistify the subject.
 
At present, I find that there is a lack of interest among teachers, or they feel are afraid of the subject's potential for taking students away from mainstream English and Literature. One colleague was interested but pessimistic about the chances of success. He suggested that it could be promoted as a subject suitable for boys who are turned off by some aspects of mainstream English.
 
A major selling point will be that it is not 'a dry academic subject', that I will be able to fill a class with students and that other schools that fit our demographic are studying it. Is it seen as an exclusive subject.
 
All the students I have spoken to are very keen. They include a mix of readers, non-readers, writers, language fans, people who like to discuss accents and dialect differences, students with a more scientific bent and so on. A great mix! I do not want to poach students from Literature. It is probably unlikely that I would succeed. I spoke to one boy today, however, who would be keen to do both Lit and En Lang.
 
I hope there are some experienced English language teachers who can help with anecdotes, evidence, reasons...whatever, to help me to strengthen my case,
 
Regards,
 
Monica Cleary

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