[English] How to market English Language

[Rosie Mackay]

I would be hesitant at marketing English Language as being "easier" in some
way - just because you don't have to read the novels, does not make it
easier by any means - in fact, it is centred around a lot of linguistic and
metalinguistic content, as well as greater social phenomena. weaker students
are not necessarily better at this than at 'reading books', and make the
mistake of picking 'easy english'. then finding it is an extremely complex
subject.

 

 

 

  _____  

From: english-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:english-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Cleary, Monica M
Sent: 06 August 2008 17:47
To: english at edulists.com.au
Subject: [English] How to market English Language

 

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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