A Uniting Church coeducational independent day and boarding school on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia
Early Learning to Year 12
English
English
- English Subjects Stage 1 Curriculum Information (PDF / 514 KB)
- Essential English Stage 2 Curriculum Information (PDF / 506 KB)
- General English Stage 2 Curriculum Information (PDF / 494 KB)
- English Literary Studies Stage 2 Curriculum Information (PDF / 470 KB)
- English as Additional Language Stage 2 Curriculum Information (PDF / 491 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
The external assessment comprising 30% of the assessment grade is different between these two English offerings. In English Literary Studies there is a 1500-word comparative essay and a 100-minute critical reading exam. In English General, there is a 2000-word comparative essay.
Both English Literary Studies and English General qualify for bonus points for university courses in South Australia, except for some medical courses. Both subjects also satisfy the requirements for interstate universities that mandate the study of Year 12 English as a prerequisite subject. There are no bonus points for English as an Additional Language (EAL) or Essential English.
The answer is yes and no. From a raw statistical point of view, 40% of the course in English General is designated to ‘creating texts’ as opposed to 20% in English Literary Studies. However, the ability to be creative in analytical tasks should not be underestimated. It is a skill to think laterally and imaginatively about issues and ideas in shared texts, and thus analytical responses are a great way to show your creativity. It is also important to know that English General involves a lot of analysis, too. Indeed, 60% of the course is analysis and additionally, one of the ‘creating texts’ tasks is analysing the texts you’ve created. The best way to understand the difference between the two subjects is to think of the name for English Literary Studies - it is unapologetically literary in nature. Talk to your teachers and ask their opinion about what’s the best fit for you.
Scaling is a tricky mechanism to understand and its best left to the experts to explain. Click on this link to SATAC for further information: https://www.satac.edu.au/pages/scaling.
In English Literary Studies you’ll read a prose novel, a drama text and poetry texts, as well as study a film. In English General you’ll typically read either a prose or drama text, some poetry texts and a film. The best advice is to read the shared prose and/or drama texts in the holidays before commencing the school year. Clearly, the more you read, the better prepared you will be to analyse the texts.