[English] How to market English Language

Thu Aug 7 09:58:38 EST 2008

I would agree with Rosie. My English Language class is a real mixed ability group, but the students who chose it because 1) 'I don't have to read" and 2) "I don't have to do issues" are in need of lots of support to scrape a pass.  It is a high order thinking subject and demands that the students can anylse a complex range of factors which contribute to English language. There are slso a lot of new concepts and metalanguage to learn It can be challenging for students who don't speak standard English themselves, in a generation which has not been exposed to formal grammar teaching.

Having said that the able students are having a ball and it is great to hear the chatter around the room not about 'Sat'dy nite' but about the construct of our language. I've had some almost stand up arguments amongst the students which have left me with tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks! 

I hope you do get it off the ground  Monica, we started teaching it 2 years ago and we now have two very full classes at both year 11 and year 12 -- and others knocking at the door to try to get in

Gail R

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From: english-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Rosie Mackay
Sent: Wed 8/6/2008 9:29 PM
To: 'VCE English Teachers' Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [English] How to market English Language

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.

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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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