[English] How to market English Language

[Rosie Mackay]

Routledge have a great series on language/linguistic analysis

 

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From: english-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:english-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of WHITBY, Linda
Sent: 07 August 2008 10:23
To: VCE English Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: RE: [English] How to market English Language

 

I agree with the points made by the others - it's certainly not the easier
subject and requires a lot of work from both the teacher and student.

 

Another approach you can use is that it allows students to develop an
understanding of the English language in context which can assist kids in
the 'real world'.  Students with an interest in journalism etc gain a great
deal from the subject - especially if they combine it with English.  The
students also tend to like that they can apply it to everyday life.

 

At present, there are very few new resources for the subject.  Many people
are still using the Heinemann textbooks which were published in 2001 and
correlate with the old study design.  The Macmillain CD ROM is good, but
needs editing too. You may need to have this figured out for Curriculum, so
best to be in the know about what's out there.  There's been talk of a new
textbook now for 3 years.

 

Good Luck

 

Linda Whitby

 

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From: english-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Cleary, Monica M
Sent: Wed 6/08/2008 5:46 PM
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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