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English Version 2.0

  1. Introduction
  2. Curriculum
  1. F
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10

Level 2

Level 2 Description

The English curriculum is organised under 3 interrelated strands: Language, Literature and Literacy. While each strand articulates the essential skills of English, they should be seen as interlinked and interconnected. Together, the 3 strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing. The English curriculum is underpinned by the selection of texts appropriate for the level...

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Level 2 Content Descriptions

Language

Language for interacting with others
  1. explore how interpersonal language choices vary depending on the context, including the different roles taken on in interactions (VC2E2LA01)
    1. exploring culturally specific greetings and expressions of politeness
    2. exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols in Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, and the greeting words used by Victorian Aboriginal Peoples
    3. exploring how familiarity with a group or individual influences language choices
  2. explore how language can be used for appreciating texts and providing reasons for preferences (VC2E2LA02)
    1. exploring how language is used to appreciate texts using more precise vocabulary, for example ‘I liked how the author described the setting because …’
    2. exploring verbs used to express degree of preference, for example ‘liked’, ‘preferred’ and ‘enjoyed’
Text structure and organisation
  1. identify how different types of texts across the curriculum are organised differently and use language features depending on purposes (VC2E2LA03)
    1. identifying the typical features of a text, for example a typical introduction to a narrative or the use of dot points in instructions
    2. identifying that different types of texts might have different forms; for example, an expression of opinion might be in the form of a poster, email or brochure
    3. identifying the organisation and language features in texts such as narratives, recounts, information reports, simple procedures, expression of opinion and responses to texts (including poetry), and discussing their purposes
  2. understand how texts are made cohesive by using personal and possessive pronouns and by omitting words that can be inferred (VC2E2LA04)
    1. identifying language used to build information across a text, for example by connecting similar and dissimilar things
    2. mapping examples of word associations in texts, for example words that refer to the main character in a story, such as ‘Isy’, ‘she’, ‘I’, ‘sister’, ‘student’
    3. tracking how a person or thing is identified through a section of a text, for example ‘eggs’, ‘they’, ‘them’
    4. identifying words left out that can be inferred from the surrounding text; for example, in ‘Xanthe went to school. She had a lovely day’, ‘at school’ is inferred
    5. using personal and possessive pronouns to link entities previously mentioned in the text
  3. navigate print and digital texts using chapters, tables of contents, indexes, sidebar menus, drop-down menus or links (VC2E2LA05)
    1. recognising how numbered chapters, organisation of tables of contents and alphabetical order of indexes operate to support access to information
    2. exploring how the navigation tools of different websites can be used to locate information
Language for expressing and developing ideas
  1. understand that connections can be made between ideas by using a compound sentence with 2 or more independent clauses usually linked by a coordinating conjunction (VC2E2LA06)
    1. using coordinating conjunctions (for example, ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘so’) to construct compound sentences (for example, ‘The wolf huffed / and he puffed / and he blew the house down!’)
  2. understand that in sentences, nouns may be extended into noun groups using articles and adjectives, and verbs may be expressed as verb groups (VC2E2LA07)
    1. identifying nouns that refer to people, places, concrete objects and ideas in sentences, and identifying the articles and adjectives that extend those nouns
    2. building extended noun groups using articles and adjectives, for example ‘the longest side’
    3. building extended verb groups using verbs, for example ‘gently touched’
    4. investigating how noun groups can be built up by asking questions about the noun such as ‘How many?’, ‘What’s it like?’ and ‘What type?’, for example ‘two pairs of old walking shoes’
  3. understand that images and sound add to or multiply the meanings of a text (VC2E2LA08)
    1. identifying images and graphics in a text that add ideas or information not included in the written text, for example a map or table in a factual text or an illustration in a story that gives clues about the setting
    2. identifying visual representations of characters’ actions, reactions, speech and thought processes in narratives, and considering how these images add to or multiply the meaning of accompanying words
  4. apply learnt vocabulary and begin to make conscious choices to suit the topic (VC2E2LA09)
    1. selecting vocabulary appropriate to the topic to replace everyday language
    2. discussing new vocabulary encountered in learning area texts
    3. exploring language used to describe characters in narratives, including nouns (for example, ‘magician’, ‘wizard’ or ‘sorcerer’) and adjectives (for example, ‘gentle’, ‘timid’ or ‘frightened’)
    4. identifying words from Victorian Aboriginal languages relevant to a topic
  5. recognise that capital letters are used in titles and commas are used to separate items in lists (VC2E2LA10)
    1. identifying how capital letters are used in the titles of texts
    2. identifying commas used in lists in a variety of types of texts, for example ‘This class has students who speak Vietnamese, Thai and Arabic at home.’

Literature

Literature and contexts
  1. discuss how characters and settings are connected in literary texts created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators and a wide range of Australian and world authors and illustrators (VC2E2LE01)
    1. recognising recurring characters in particular settings in texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
    2. exploring the way that a wide range of Australian authors and illustrators depict the Australian outback and the associated characters
    3. discussing the depiction of characters in particular settings in well-known fairytales from a wide range of world authors, for example children in forests, and royalty in castles and towers
Engaging with and responding to literature
  1. compare features of a range of literary texts, such as characters and settings, and share personal preferences (VC2E2LE02)
    1. discussing preferences for stories set in familiar or unfamiliar worlds, or about characters whose lives are like or unlike their own
    2. discussing their feelings about the positive and negative behaviours of non-human characters, such as animals
Examining literature
  1. discuss the plots, characters and settings of a range of literary texts and identify how language is used to present these features in different ways (VC2E2LE03)
    1. comparing how similar characters or settings are described in texts from different contexts, for example how the seasons are described
    2. identifying and comparing verb groups used to convey actions, emotions and dialogue in a range of literary texts
    3. identifying the language used to describe the landscape in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories
  2. identify, reproduce and experiment with rhythmic sound and word patterns in poems, chants, rhymes and songs (VC2E2LE04)
    1. exploring poems, chants, rhymes or songs from different home languages of class members
Creating literature
  1. create texts by adapting structures and language features of previously encountered literary texts through writing, drawing and performance (VC2E2LE05)
    1. inventing some speech, dialogue or behaviour for a favourite character, which may include the use of video and audio tools, for an alternative event or outcome to the one in the original text

Literacy

Interacting with others
  1. use interaction skills when engaging with topics and texts, actively listening to others, receiving instructions and extending their own ideas, speaking appropriately, expressing and responding to opinions, making statements, and giving instructions (VC2E2LY01)
    1. exploring ways to comment on what others say, including using sentence starters such as ‘I like the way you …’, ‘I agree that …’, ‘I have a different thought …’, and ‘I’d like to say something different …’
    2. demonstrating appropriate listening behaviours, responding to and paraphrasing a partner’s contribution to a discussion, for example in think-pair-share activities
    3. asking relevant questions and making connections with personal experiences and the contributions of others
    4. understanding how to disagree or respectfully offer an alternative
  2. deliver short spoken texts to an audience using features of voice (VC2E2LY02)
    1. preparing and delivering oral presentations using more formal language and specific vocabulary about content area topics
    2. adjusting volume and tone when speaking in more formal situations
Phonic and word knowledge
  1. use knowledge of blending, segmenting and manipulating to read and write increasingly complex words (phonemic awareness) (VC2E2LY03)
    1. blending and segmenting sounds in words, for example ‘b-r-o-th-er’ or ‘c-l-ou-d-y’
    2. deleting and substituting sounds (phonemes) in spoken words to form new words (for example, deleting the initial ‘scr’ in ‘scratch’ and substituting new initial sounds to form words such as ‘catch’, ‘batch’ and ‘hatch’) and substituting a medial sound to form a new word (for example, ‘stack’ becomes ‘stick’)
  2. use phoneme–grapheme correspondence knowledge to read and write words of one or more syllables with vowel digraphs, less common long vowel patterns, consonant blends and silent letters (phonic knowledge) (VC2E2LY04)
    1. reading words with digraphs where one letter is not pronounced (for example, ‘knife’ and ‘thumb’) and using them in writing
    2. providing the sounds for less common sound–letter matches (for example, ‘ight’) and using them in writing
    3. reading words with vowel digraphs (‘ee’, ‘oo’, ‘ai’, ‘ay’ and ‘ea’)
  3. use knowledge of spelling patterns and morphemes to read and write words whose spelling is not completely predictable from their sounds, including high-frequency words (VC2E2LY05)
    1. using known words and knowledge of spelling patterns and morphemes to write unknown words, for example ‘one’, ‘once’, ‘only’ and ‘lone’
    2. using context to read the correct word when an unknown word has more than one plausible pronunciation
  4. build morphemic word families using knowledge of prefixes and suffixes (VC2E2LY06)
    1. using morphemic knowledge of words to spell unknown words, for example ‘one’, ‘once’, ‘cover’, ‘covering’ and ‘uncover’
    2. writing unknown words using morphemic knowledge; for example, using the known word ‘friend’ to write ‘friendly’ and ‘friendship’
Building fluency and making meaning
  1. read different types of texts with phrasing and fluency, using phonic and word knowledge, and make and monitor meaning by re-reading and self-correcting (VC2E2LY07)
    1. using phonic (sound–letter) and morphemic knowledge, and knowledge of high-frequency words when decoding text
    2. monitoring their own reading, self-correcting or reading back, and re-reading when meaning does not make sense
Texts in context
  1. discuss how similar topics and information are presented in different types of texts (VC2E2LY08)
    1. reading a poem, narrative and informative text about life cycles and discussing what is learnt
    2. exploring recipes presented on food packets, in recipe books, in short video clips and in a digital form, noting their shared purpose
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating
  1. identify the purpose and audience of different types of texts (VC2E2LY09)
    1. identifying the audience of advertisements and signs
  2. use comprehension strategies, such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning, and begin to analyse texts by drawing on a growing knowledge of context and text structures to build literal and inferred meanings (VC2E2LY10)
    1. listening for specific information and providing key facts or points from an informative or persuasive text
    2. listening and responding to detailed instructions
    3. integrating information from print, images and prior knowledge to make supportable inferences
    4. identifying the main idea of a text
    5. predicting vocabulary that is likely to be in a text, based on the topic and the purpose of the text; for example, predicting that ‘station’ and ‘arrive’ would be in a text recounting a train journey
    6. using prior knowledge to make and confirm predictions when reading a text
    7. using graphic organisers to represent the connections between characters, order of events or sequence of information
Creating texts
  1. create short narrative, informative and persuasive texts for familiar audiences using simple text structures, topic-specific vocabulary and multimodal elements as appropriate (VC2E2LY11)
    1. creating texts so that readers and/or audiences follow the sequence of ideas or events, using vocabulary (including topic-specific vocabulary) appropriate for the purpose
    2. using digital tools to create texts
    3. using simple and compound sentences correctly and flexibly to express and combine ideas
  2. re-read and edit texts for spelling, sentence boundary punctuation and text structure (VC2E2LY12)
    1. reviewing and developing sentences; for example, adding prepositional phrases such as ‘with a long tail’ to improve descriptions
    2. editing by adding, deleting or changing vocabulary to improve a text; for example, replacing an everyday noun with a topic-specific one
    3. reviewing sentences for grammatical accuracy, for example use of pronouns
  3. write words legibly and with growing fluency using unjoined lower-case and upper-case letters (VC2E2LY13)
    1. consolidating a functional pencil grip/grasp

Level 2 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 2, students demonstrate the following skills in English.

Speaking and Listening

When interacting with others, students apply learnt vocabulary and vary language choices depending on context, actively listen to others, and extend their own ideas....

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Level 3

Level 3 Description

The English curriculum is organised under 3 interrelated strands: Language, Literature and Literacy. While each strand articulates the essential skills of English, they should be seen as interlinked and interconnected. Together, the 3 strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing. The English curriculum is underpinned by the selection of texts appropriate for the level...

Show more

Level 3 Content Descriptions

Language

Language for interacting with others
  1. understand that cooperation with others depends on shared understanding of social conventions, including turn-taking language, which vary according to the degree of formality (VC2E3LA01)
    1. recognising and using collaborative language in group and pair work; for example, initiating a topic, changing a topic through negotiation, affirming other speakers and building on their comments, asking relevant questions, providing useful feedback, prompting, and checking individual and group understanding
  2. understand how the language of evaluation and emotion can be varied to be more or less forceful (VC2E3LA02)
    1. recognising how choice of adverbs, nouns and verbs present different evaluations of characters in texts
    2. exploring examples of language that demonstrate a range of emotions and positions, and building a vocabulary to express judgements about characters or events, for example ‘The wizard was cunning, expert, inventive’
Text structure and organisation
  1. describe how different types of texts across the curriculum have different language features and structures depending on purposes (VC2E3LA03)
    1. identifying the stages of a basic argument such as introduction, argument 1, argument 2 and conclusion
    2. describing the typical text structure and language features of factual recounts, autobiographies, information reports, narratives, personal responses to literary texts (with reasons), sequential explanations, verse poetry and simple arguments, and describing their purposes
  2. understand that paragraphs are a key organisational feature of the stages of written texts, grouping related information together (VC2E3LA04)
    1. recognising that longer informative texts are organised into paragraphs, which begin with a topic sentence that predicts how the paragraph will develop and is then elaborated on in various ways
    2. recognising that paragraphs in narrative texts vary in length and do not always follow a predictable structure
    3. examining models of well-constructed paragraphs and identifying their features
  3. identify the purpose of layout features in print and digital texts and the words used for navigation (VC2E3LA05)
    1. examining the words used as hyperlinks
    2. discussing words used as headings and subheadings in digital and print information texts
    3. discussing words used for chapter headings in narratives
Language for expressing and developing ideas
  1. understand that a clause is a unit of grammar usually containing a subject and a verb that need to agree (VC2E3LA06)
    1. identifying clauses in texts by locating verbs and the key words that link to the verbs, for example ‘While the cat slept, the mouse scurried across the path.’
    2. identifying that a singular subject has a singular verb, and a plural subject has a plural verb, for example ‘The girl plays cricket.’ and ‘The girls play cricket.’
  2. understand how verbs represent different processes for doing, feeling, thinking, saying and relating (VC2E3LA07)
    1. exploring ‘doing’ and ‘saying’ verbs in narrative texts to understand how they give information about what characters do and say
    2. exploring the use of ‘sensing’ verbs and how they allow readers to understand what characters think and feel, for example ‘He remembered his first day at school.’
    3. exploring the use of ‘relating’ verbs in constructing definitions and descriptions; for example, identifying the relating verb ‘is’ or ‘are’, ‘has’ or ‘have’ in descriptions of animals
    4. identifying different types of verbs and the way that they control meaning in a clause
  3. understand that verbs are anchored in time through tense (VC2E3LA08)
    1. learning how time is represented through the tense of a verb (for example, ‘She arrived.’ or ‘She is arriving.’) and adverbials of time (for example, ‘She arrived yesterday.’ or ‘She is arriving in the morning.’)
    2. learning that tenses for some verbs are formed by changing the word, for example ‘She catches the ball.’ or ‘She caught the ball.’
  4. understand how modal verbs indicate obligation, probability and possibility (VC2E3LA09)
    1. exploring how modal verbs (for example, ‘must’, ‘might’ and ‘could’) indicate degrees of probability or obligation
  5. identify how images and sound extend the meaning of a text (VC2E3LA10)
    1. recognising how the relationship between characters can be depicted in images through the positioning of the characters; for example, facing each other or facing away from each other, the distance between them, the relative size, one character looking up (or down) at the other (power relationships), facial expressions and body gestures
    2. recognising how images construct a relationship with the viewer through a direct gaze into the viewer’s eyes, inviting involvement, and how close-ups are more engaging than distanced images, which can suggest alienation or loneliness
  6. extend topic-specific and technical vocabulary and know that words can have different meanings in different contexts (VC2E3LA11)
    1. identifying and using technical words to describe length, for example metric units of length such as ‘millimetre’ and ‘centimetre’
    2. identifying and using words to describe features of narratives, for example ‘character’, ‘plot’ and ‘setting’
    3. identifying words that have different meanings in different contexts, for example ‘warm temperature’ and ‘warm character’
    4. extending vocabulary by adding prefixes and suffixes to base words, for example ‘different’, ‘differently’ and ‘difference’
  7. understand that apostrophes signal missing letters in contractions, and how apostrophes are used to show singular and plural possession in regular and irregular nouns (VC2E3LA12)
    1. using apostrophes to create contractions; for example, ‘do not’ becomes ‘dont’, ‘will not’ becomes ‘wont’ and ‘of the clock’ becomes ‘oclock’
    2. using apostrophes to show singular possession, for example ‘my friends book’ and ‘the princesss shoe’
    3. using apostrophes to show plural possession, for example ‘the bees hive’ and ‘the princesses shoes’
    4. using apostrophes to show plural possessions in irregular nouns, for example ‘the childrens shoes’ and ‘the mices cheese’

Literature

Literature and contexts
  1. discuss characters, settings and events in different contexts in literary texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators and a wide range of Australian and world authors and illustrators (VC2E3LE01)
    1. exploring the ways in which a wide range of authors tell the same story, identifying variations in the storyline
    2. discussing characters and their relationship with Country/Place and families in literature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
    3. discussing similarities and differences in the way that an archetype, such as a wolf, is portrayed in different versions of children’s stories by a wide range of world authors
    4. exploring the ways that Australian settings are portrayed in stories
Engaging with and responding to literature
  1. discuss connections between personal experiences and character experiences in a range of literary texts and give reasons for personal preferences (VC2E3LE02)
    1. discussing relevant prior knowledge and past experiences to make meaningful connections to the people, places, events, issues and ideas in texts
    2. selecting and discussing favourite texts and explaining reasons for assigning greater or lesser merit to particular texts or types of texts
Examining literature
  1. discuss how an author uses language and illustrations to build plots and portray characters and settings in literary texts, and explore how mood is created through settings and events (VC2E3LE03)
    1. identifying and discussing how the use of descriptive language creates setting, influences atmosphere and draws readers into events that follow, for example ‘The castle loomed dark and forbidding.’
    2. discussing the language used to describe the traits of characters in stories, their actions and motivations, for example ‘Dev was so lonely; he desperately wanted a pet, so he hatched a plan to get what he wanted.’
  2. identify and discuss some literary devices, including rhythm and onomatopoeia in poetry and prose, and discuss the ways that they shape the reader’s reaction (VC2E3LE04)
    1. discussing the effects of imagery in texts, for example the use of imagery related to nature in haiku poems
    2. generating questions to discuss effects, for example ‘Why does the poet use onomatopoeia in this line of the poem?’
Creating literature
  1. create texts, using or adapting language features, characters, settings, plot structures and ideas from literary texts they have encountered (VC2E3LE05)
    1. drawing on literary texts read, viewed and listened to for inspiration and ideas to create texts
    2. adapting texts read, viewed and listened to by changing the setting or revising an ending
    3. discussing characters encountered in literary texts and sharing ideas about how those characters may be a model for students’ own writing

Literacy

Interacting with others
  1. use interaction skills to contribute to conversations and discussions to share text- or topic-based information and ideas (VC2E3LY01)
    1. building on and connecting ideas and opinions expressed by others
    2. listening actively, including listening for specific information, recognising the value of others’ contributions and responding through comments, recounts and summaries of information
    3. learning the specific speaking or listening skills of different group roles, for example group leader, note taker and reporter
    4. using language appropriately in different situations; for example, explaining a procedure to a group or engaging in a game with friends
  2. deliver spoken texts to an audience using features of voice (VC2E3LY02)
    1. adjusting tone and pace to purpose and audience
Phonic and word knowledge
  1. understand how to apply knowledge of phoneme–grapheme correspondences, syllables, and blending and segmenting to fluently read and write multisyllabic words with more complex letter patterns (VC2E3LY03)
    1. reading and writing more complex words with consonant digraphs and consonant blends, for example ‘shrinking’, ‘against’ and ‘rocket’
    2. reading and writing consonant digraphs representing different sounds, for example ‘machine’, ‘change’ and ‘school’
  2. understand how to apply knowledge of common base words, prefixes, suffixes and generalisations for adding a suffix to a base word to read and comprehend new multimorphemic words (VC2E3LY04)
    1. understanding how to use knowledge of prefixes to change the meaning of a base word, for example ‘undone’, ‘remove’ and ‘misunderstand’
    2. using generalisations for adding a suffix to a base word to form a plural or past tense; for example, to make a word plural when it ends in ‘ss’, ‘sh’, ‘ch’ or ‘z’, add ‘es’
  3. use phoneme–grapheme relationships and less common letter patterns to spell words (VC2E3LY05)
    1. using phonic knowledge to explore less common letter patterns after short vowels, for example words that end in ‘dge’, such as ‘badge’, ‘edge’ and ‘fridge’
    2. using phonic knowledge and knowledge of letter patterns to spell words with 3-letter blends, for example ‘str-ip’
  4. recognise and know how to write most high-frequency words, including some homophones (VC2E3LY06)
    1. using context and syntactic knowledge to spell homophones, for example ‘break’ and ‘brake’ or ‘ate’ and ‘eight’
Building fluency and making meaning
  1. read different types of texts using phonic, semantic and grammatical knowledge to read accurately and fluently for meaning, re-reading and self-correcting when required (VC2E3LY07)
    1. using phonic knowledge, word knowledge, vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to read unknown words
    2. reading a wider range of texts from different learning areas, including chapter books and informative texts
Texts in context
  1. discuss how texts with similar purposes can be created for different audiences (VC2E3LY08)
    1. discussing the ways in which a safety campaign varies depending on its audience; for example, comparing how a road safety campaign for adults driving a car is different to a road safety campaign for children crossing the road
    2. discussing how the instructions for assembling and using toys vary according to the age of the intended user
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating
  1. identify the purpose and audience of different types of texts through the use of language features and/or images in the texts (VC2E3LY09)
    1. identifying words, phrases and images intended to persuade listeners, viewers or readers
    2. identifying features of advertisements that target children
    3. identifying the purpose of a narrative text; for example, identifying the purpose of a fable
  2. use comprehension strategies, such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning, to analyse texts by drawing on a growing knowledge of context, text structures and language features to build literal and inferred meanings (VC2E3LY10)
    1. making predictions about a text, drawing on knowledge of the topic, subject-specific vocabulary and experience of texts on the same topic
    2. identifying important ideas, events or details in texts
    3. learning new content from reading and listening, and asking questions to expand understanding
    4. comparing and contrasting how different texts present similar ideas or information
    5. drawing inferences, using evidence from the text and prior knowledge and experience; for example, making predictions about a character's likely actions or about the content of tabbed pages on a website
    6. determining the relevance of a text for a particular task
Creating texts
  1. create narrative, informative and persuasive texts, written and spoken, with ideas grouped in simple paragraphs, using topic-specific and precise vocabulary and multimodal elements as appropriate (VC2E3LY11)
    1. gathering information and ideas about a topic in preparation for writing, which may include information and ideas from online and digital sources
    2. researching a topic to prepare an oral or multimodal presentation
    3. planning the sequence of ideas and information using techniques such as storyboards or a simple flow chart
    4. explaining ideas to a peer when planning a presentation
    5. selecting an appropriate text structure for a writing purpose, and sequencing content for clarity and to have an impact on an audience
    6. using appropriate simple and compound sentences to express and combine ideas
    7. using vocabulary, including topic-specific vocabulary, relevant to the type of text and purpose
    8. using digital tools to plan, sequence, compose and edit texts
  2. re-read and edit texts for meaning, appropriate structure, grammatical choices and punctuation (VC2E3LY12)
    1. using print and online dictionaries and spellcheck to edit spelling, realising that spellcheck accuracy depends on understanding the word function, for example ‘there’ or ‘their’ and ‘rain’ or ‘reign’
    2. checking for correct use of apostrophes for contractions and to indicate possession
  3. write words using joined letters that are clearly formed and consistent in size (VC2E3LY13)
    1. Content description does not require elaboration.

Level 3 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 3, students demonstrate the following skills in English.

Speaking and Listening

When interacting with others, students extend topic-specific and appropriate vocabulary and use cooperation strategies and interaction skills to contribute to discussions....

Show more

Level 4

Level 4 Description

The English curriculum is organised under 3 interrelated strands: Language, Literature and Literacy. While each strand articulates the essential skills of English, they should be seen as interlinked and interconnected. Together, the 3 strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing. The English curriculum is underpinned by the selection of texts appropriate...

Show more

Level 4 Content Descriptions

Language

Language for interacting with others
  1. understand how language is used to develop relationships in formal and informal situations (VC2E4LA01)
    1. recognising that language is adjusted in different contexts, for example in degree of formality when moving between group discussions and presenting a group report
    2. understanding how age, expertise and familiarity influence the ways in which people interact and how these codes and conventions vary across cultures
    3. recognising the importance of using inclusive language
    4. exploring cultural respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and greeting conventions between Victorian Aboriginal Peoples
  2. identify and differentiate the language of opinion, facts and feelings (VC2E4LA02)
    1. identifying ways that ‘thinking’ verbs are used to express opinions (for example, ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’) and ways that ‘summary’ verbs are used to report findings (for example, ‘we concluded’)
    2. comparing statements that have similar information presented through facts and opinion, for example ‘The man has 6 cats.’ and ‘The man has too many noisy cats.’
Text structure and organisation
  1. describe how different types of texts across the curriculum have different language features and are typically organised into characteristic stages depending on purposes (VC2E4LA03)
    1. identifying the typical stages and language features of texts such as narratives, factual recounts, imaginative recounts, biographies, information reports, explanations, book talks, poetry and arguments for a particular purpose
    2. understanding how and why text structure is important in texts such as sequential and causal explanations, and comparative and part-whole information reports
    3. recognising that poems have different purposes that influence the organisation of the text into characteristic stages, for example poems that tell stories, poems that describe and poems that reflect on aspects of life
    4. recognising the difference between a text’s form (such as a poster, email or list) and its organisation into stages, depending on its social purpose
  2. understand how text connectives, including temporal and conditional words, and topic word associations, are used to sequence and connect ideas (VC2E4LA04)
    1. recognising how authors construct texts that are cohesive and coherent using pronouns that link to something previously mentioned and determiners (for example, ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’ and ‘those’) to identify things
    2. recognising how authors use text connectives to create links between sentences, for example ‘however’, ‘therefore’, ‘nevertheless’ and ‘in addition’
    3. recognising how text connectives link sections of a text, providing sequences through time, for example ‘firstly’, ‘then’, ‘next’ and ‘finally’
  3. identify navigation features of digital texts that enhance readability, including headlines, drop-down menus, links, graphics and layout (VC2E4LA05)
    1. investigating the features used for texts (such as headings and subheadings in print text, and home pages and subpages in digital texts) and how these help the reader to select text for a purpose
    2. comparing the features of texts on similar topics online
Language for expressing and developing ideas
  1. understand that complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause typically joined by a subordinating conjunction to create relationships, such as time and causality (VC2E4LA06)
    1. creating richer, more specific descriptions by using adjectival clauses; for example, ‘Crossing the mountain range was difficult.’ becomes ‘The mountain pass was dangerous when it rained.’
    2. creating more precise and detailed sentences by adding adverbial clauses; for example, ‘They crossed the mountain range.’ becomes ‘Although the path was overgrown, they crossed the mountain range.’
  2. understand how adverb groups or phrases and prepositional phrases work in different ways to provide circumstantial details about an activity (VC2E4LA07)
    1. investigating in texts how adverb groups/phrases and prepositional phrases can provide details of the circumstances surrounding a happening or state, for example ‘At midnight (time) he rose slowly (manner) from the chair (place) and went upstairs (place).’
  3. understand past, present and future tenses and their impact on meaning in a sentence (VC2E4LA08)
    1. understanding the tense that types of texts are commonly written in; for example, informative texts are usually written in present tense
    2. identifying the tense in texts they read
  4. explore how the use of sound and choices in the framing of an image, the placement of elements in the image, and the salience in the image affect the composition of still and moving images and enhance the meaning of a text (VC2E4LA09)
    1. examining visual and multimodal texts, building a vocabulary to describe visual elements and techniques such as framing, composition and salience, and beginning to understand how these choices influence viewer response
    2. identifying the angle at which the camera is pointed at a subject and discussing how the angle influences meaning
  5. expand vocabulary by exploring a range of synonyms and antonyms, and using words encountered in a range of sources (VC2E4LA10)
    1. building vocabulary from research about technical and learning area–specific topics, for example gravity and magnetic forces
    2. determining or clarifying the shades of meaning of synonyms and antonyms
    3. using words encountered in texts that are formed from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language, for example the Shire of Nillumbik, which draws its name from the Wurundjeri name for the region, meaning 'shallow earth'
  6. understand that punctuation signals dialogue through quotation marks and that dialogue follows conventions for the use of capital letters, commas and boundary punctuation (VC2E4LA11)
    1. identifying the use of quotation marks, capital letters, commas and boundary punctuation to signal dialogue in texts
    2. using punctuated dialogue in their own writing
  7. explore how quoted (direct) and reported (indirect) speech are used (VC2E4LA12)
    1. investigating examples of quoted (direct) speech (for example, ‘He said, “I’ll go to the park today.”’) and reported (indirect) speech (for example, ‘He told me he was going to the park today.’) and why they have been used in different contexts

Literature

Literature and contexts
  1. recognise similar storylines, ideas and relationships in different contexts in literary texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and a wide range of Australian and world authors (VC2E4LE01)
    1. comparing the plots and characters in 2 literary texts with similar ideas (for example, 2 literary texts that explore friendship) by a wide range of Australian authors
    2. commenting on how literary texts set in different time periods present ideas about nature
    3. discussing how everyday life, such as mealtimes and family relationships, is depicted in particular historical and cultural contexts in texts by a wide range of world authors
    4. recognising similar storylines and ideas in literature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
Engaging with and responding to literature
  1. describe the effects of text structures and language features in a range of literary texts when responding to and sharing opinions (VC2E4LE02)
    1. sharing and discussing their understanding of the effects of literary techniques on their appreciation of texts
    2. sharing responses to texts, using appropriate language to talk specifically about grammar and literature, for example ‘The use of the noun groups to describe the character really helps to create images for the reader.’
    3. using language appropriate for a text, such as ‘flashback’, ‘tension’ and ‘resolution’, when sharing opinions about plot structure
Examining literature
  1. compare how authors and illustrators make literary texts exciting, moving and absorbing and hold readers’ interest by using plot tension, character and setting (VC2E4LE03)
    1. examining an author’s choice of language to describe a character’s appearance, behaviour and speech
    2. discussing what is learnt about a character through dialogue such as their likes, dislikes or personal qualities
    3. identifying moments in the plot where characters are faced with choices, and commenting on how the author makes the reader care about their decisions and the consequences
    4. identifying how illustrations contribute to the meaning of stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
  2. explore the use of literary devices and deliberate wordplay, including grammar, in prose and poetry, and the ways that they shape meaning (VC2E4LE04)
    1. defining neologisms and puns, and identifying how they are used by authors to create a sense of freshness, originality and playfulness
    2. discussing poetic language, including adjectives that engage readers emotionally and bring the poet’s subject matter to life
    3. exploring emotive language in texts
Creating literature
  1. create texts by developing storylines, characters and settings, and using language features from literary texts they have encountered and from their own experiences (VC2E4LE05)
    1. creating texts using a range of sentence types, including dialogue and literary devices

Literacy

Interacting with others
  1. use interaction skills to gather information in order to carry out tasks, contribute to discussions, acknowledge another opinion, link a response to the text or topic, and share and extend ideas and information (VC2E4LY01)
    1. making notes about a task, asking questions to clarify or follow up information, and seeking assistance if required
    2. developing speaking and listening behaviours, including acknowledging and extending others’ contributions, and presenting ideas and opinions clearly and coherently
  2. deliver structured spoken texts to an audience using features of voice (VC2E4LY02)
    1. reporting on a topic in an organised manner, providing relevant facts and descriptive detail to support audience understanding, and using references to reliable sources to support claims
    2. exploring the effects of changing tone, volume, pitch and pace in formal and informal contexts
    3. rehearsing a presentation with a peer and sharing feedback about tone, pace, pitch and volume appropriate for audience
Phonic and word knowledge
  1. understand how to use and apply phonological and morphological knowledge to read and write multisyllabic words with more complex letter combinations, including a variety of vowel sounds and known prefixes and suffixes (VC2E4LY03)
    1. recognising unstressed vowels in multisyllabic words and how these vowel sounds are written, for example ‘builder’ and ‘animal’
    2. using phonemic awareness and morphological knowledge (including blending and segmenting sounds, syllables and morphemes) to read and write multisyllabic words with more complex letter combinations, for example ‘straightaway’ and ‘thoughtful’
  2. understand how to use knowledge of letter patterns, including double letters, spelling generalisations, morphological word families, word origins, and common prefixes and suffixes to spell more complex words (VC2E4LY04)
    1. applying generalisations for adding affixes; for example, ‘hope’ becomes ‘hoping’, ‘begin’ becomes ‘beginning’, ‘country’ becomes ‘countries’
    2. building morphemic word families and exploring word origins, for example ‘tricycle’, ‘tripod’ and ‘triangle’
  3. read and write high-frequency words including homophones and know how to use context to identify correct spelling (VC2E4LY05)
    1. recognising that contextual and syntactical clues can be used to determine the use of homophones, for example ‘We grow wheat on our farm.’ and ‘The train trip will take about an hour.’
Building fluency and making meaning
  1. read different types of texts, integrating phonic, semantic and grammatical knowledge to read accurately and fluently for meaning, re-reading and self-correcting when needed (VC2E4LY06)
    1. reading increasingly complex texts using established word identification strategies, knowledge of the topic and understanding of text structure and language features
Texts in context
  1. compare how texts from different times, with similar purposes and audiences, depict ideas or events (VC2E4LY07)
    1. viewing documentaries and news footage from different periods and comparing the purpose and audience, for example coverage of major sporting events
    2. comparing the texts used to communicate between family members, noting similarities and differences as a result of changing technology
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating
  1. identify the characteristic features used in different types of texts to meet the purpose and audience of the text (VC2E4LY08)
    1. identifying how authors use language to create imaginary worlds
    2. identifying how authors use techniques, such as headings, italics and bold text, to support readers or viewers to navigate specific texts
    3. identifying visual features such as images and layout used in informative texts to complement, add to or shape understanding of a topic
  2. use comprehension strategies, such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning, to expand topic knowledge and ideas, and begin to evaluate texts to build literal and inferred meanings (VC2E4LY09)
    1. making connections between information in print, images and sound
    2. reading or listening for key topic-specific vocabulary words to build understanding
    3. reading or listening to interpret the main idea and supporting ideas
    4. identifying evidence and reasoning used by authors to support points or arguments
    5. applying self-monitoring strategies such as re-reading, pausing and questioning, and self-correction strategies such as confirming and crosschecking
    6. connecting the use of colours, images, symbols and patterns in texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators
    7. evaluating an author’s use of evidence to support arguments
Creating texts
  1. create narrative, informative and persuasive texts, written and spoken, using relevant, linked ideas for a range of audiences and using multimodal elements as appropriate (VC2E4LY10)
    1. using research to gather ideas for writing and integrating information from a range of sources, which may include those found online
    2. selecting text structure and planning how to group ideas into paragraphs to sequence content
    3. using topic-specific, precise and varied vocabulary
    4. choosing a variety of appropriate words and phrases, including descriptive words and some technical vocabulary, to communicate meaning accurately
    5. using grammatical features, including different types of verb groups, noun groups and adverb groups/phrases, for effective descriptions and details according to purpose
  2. re-read and edit texts for meaning by adding, deleting or moving words or word groups to improve content and structure (VC2E4LY11)
    1. collaborating with a peer to edit literary texts by sharing feedback about choices made to develop storylines, characters and settings
    2. revising written texts to improve the selection of words used to connect ideas and to improve the cohesion of the text
  3. write words using clearly formed joined letters, with developing fluency and automaticity (VC2E4LY12)
    Content description does not require elaboration.

Level 4 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 4, students demonstrate the following skills in English.

Speaking and Listening

When interacting with others, students use an expanded vocabulary and language to develop relationships in different contexts....

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