English as an Additional Language, or EAL, is a subject choice that supports students from non-English-speaking backgrounds. For students taking the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), EAL has a curriculum that bridges linguistic gaps so that all learners of differing English proficiency can still succeed academically.
The VCE EAL tests students in listening, reading, and writing, particularly emphasising analytical and critical thinking. In this guide, we'll look at what's on the VCE EAL exam, offer study tips, and look at ways students and teachers can navigate the EAL curriculum.
Understanding the EAL Curriculum
As with any subject, a solid understanding of the curriculum is the foundation for success for both students and educators.
So, what exactly is EAL?
EAL is English as an Additional Language, specifically for students whose first language isn't English.
It offers additional support to non-native English speakers for mastering the language. The term "additional" is chosen because the students will have one or several other languages they speak fluently.
EAL, unlike the other VCE English subjects, places a unique emphasis on language acquisition and comprehension, rather than just analysis and writing.
EAL is specifically for students who have lived in an English-speaking country for less than seven years or have not had English as their primary language of instruction for more than seven years.
If you've studied in an English-speaking country for less than 7 years, you could be eligible for VCE English as an Additional Language.
This last part is key because some students live in English-speaking countries but attend international schools or other schools where the primary language of instruction isn't English.
The Key Components of the EAL Curriculum
The VCE EAL curriculum is comprehensive and assesses students and their English language abilities in several key ways:
- Listening: Students must listen to spoken texts, analysing tone, language use, and content.
- Reading: Students are tested on their ability to comprehend and analyse responses to written prompts and texts.
- Writing: EAL students still have to write creative and analytical essays demonstrating their ability to use English.
- Argument Analysis: EAL students are tested on their critical thinking and ability to evaluate arguments and language in real-world contexts.
Key Skills for Success in EAL
So, what should EAL students focus on to ensure they get the best results?
Listening Skills
Students can struggle with the listening component of the VCE EAL, as it's more challenging than you might think. Students have to focus on multiple things at once, including the speaker's tone and delivery.
Here are some quick tips to get the most out of the listening activities:
- Scan the Questions: It's recommended that students use the 5WH1 method (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How). This will help them understand what each question asks for before the audio begins, giving them a clearer idea of what to listen for specifically, like names, dates, or specific events.
- Note-taking: Students should practise taking notes and using symbols, abbreviations, and short phrases to make their notes more concise. This will help capture key details without getting too distracted by writing down notes.
- Focus on Missed Questions: With two opportunities to listen to each recording, make the most of the second opportunity to focus on unanswered questions and missing information.
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension part of EAL includes both note-form summaries and analytical essays. To approach this section, we have the following tips:
- Understand Question Words: The question words will instantly indicate the key information for your answer.
- Annotate the Text: Much like note-taking in listening, you can also make notes on the text. It would be best if you looked to highlight important arguments, tone shifts, and persuasive language used in texts. These annotations can help you structure answers and draft appropriate responses to questions and prompts. This approach should also be used for VCE Literature.
- Use Direction Words: It's common for tasks to ask students to describe, explain, or summarise. These instruction words, like question words, will indicate the type of answer required.
Writing Skills
During the writing section, students need to offer analytical and creative responses. These tips should help you create better answers.
- Structure Your Essays: A clear essay structure will lead to better answers. The introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion structure will work well. It can also help keep you focused during an exam.
- Grammar and Vocabulary: You must use correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary. This doesn't mean that you need to overcomplicate sentences, though. You can connect ideas with words like "therefore" and "consequently" to make your writing flow better.
- Practice Writing Essays: Practice makes perfect, and there are plenty of opportunities to write creative and analytical essays. Ask teachers and tutors to mark your essays and provide feedback. The more you practice, the better you'll get.
More Study Tips for EAL Students
Beyond the key skills necessary for EAL, we also have some great tips for improving your VCE exam results.
Time Management
There's nothing worse than running out of time during an exam or rushing through questions and tasks to realise you could have spent more time on them.
Here are tips for optimising your time management during the VCE EAL exam.
- Plan Your Time: Be sure to allocate specific time for each section. Generally, ensure the time allocated is relative to the marks available for each section. The more marks for a section, the longer you should spend on it.
- Look at the Questions During Reading Time: At the start of the exam, use the reading time to familiarise yourself with the comprehension questions, using the advice from earlier to ensure you know what you're looking for in your answers.
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Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary is a cornerstone of language proficiency, particularly in EAL. A strong vocabulary is essential for understanding exam questions and expressing your ideas clearly.
Here are our tips for improving your vocabulary:
- Create a Glossary: Build your own personalised glossary of exam words and phrases, and make sure to review it regularly.
- Use Strong Adjectives and Verbs: Rather than using basic words like “good” and “bad”, use more specific and precise words like “significant”, “insignificant”, and “assert” instead of say, for example.
- Practice Contextual Use: Make sure you practise using words appropriately in context, particularly for the writing parts of the exam.
Listening Practice
Regular practice is key to improving your listening skills. Here are some effective ways to do this:
- Use Online Resources: There are plenty of resources online, like TED Talks, ABC Radio, or even English-language podcasts, that you can use to hear different accents, tones, and speaking styles to prepare you for your exam.
- Analyse Delivery: When you practise listening, pay attention to how speakers emphasise different words and strategically pause to convey meaning. Practise answering questions about tone and delivery, too.
Resources for EAL Learners and Teachers
The right resources can make a difference for teachers and students. While not every resource will work for each student, here are some that we recommend.
- Twinkl: Twinkl has plenty of educational resources worth checking out. These include vocabulary lists, language games, and flashcards.
- Bilingual Dictionaries: While EAL students shouldn't rely on regularly translating to or from their mother tongue, a good bilingual dictionary is valuable for clarifying the exact meanings of trickier words and even seeing them used in the proper contexts. Monolingual dictionaries are useful for those studying VCE English Language.
- Typing Programmes: Typing programmes are a useful way to improve writing proficiency.
- Speech Recognition: In the absence of a teacher or tutor, an EAL student can use speech recognition apps to practice pronunciation and fluency.
Get Help with EAL from a Private Tutor
Private tutors can significantly help EAL students by offering personalised academic support.
Thanks to tailored sessions, every minute can be dedicated to helping the students learn exactly what they need to. This can also help with the pacing of the lessons.
Tutors can provide targeted feedback, giving students specific areas to work on that will help them improve their exam results.
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For EAL students, confidence is key. Private english tutors can provide students with a safe space where they can speak freely without fear of making mistakes in English. From there, they can build up their confidence and bring that confidence with them to their exams.
There are plenty of private tutors on the Superprof site, and with many offering free first sessions, you can try several potential tutors before choosing the right one.
However, we recommend shortlisting suitable tutors rather than just arranging free sessions with plenty of tutors. The site also offers an array of alternatives when it comes to lesson format, including english tutoring online with a tutor from anywhere in Australia.
Just search for an EAL tutor on the Superprof website today!
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