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English Version 2.0

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

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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....

Show more

Level 5

Level 5 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...

Show more

Level 5 Content Descriptions

Language

Language for interacting with others
  1. understand how language is selected for social contexts and that it helps to signal social roles and relationships (VC2E5LA01)
    1. using language that signals the roles of chairperson and the different speaker positions in a debate
    2. identifying ways in which cultures differ in making and responding to common requests, for example periods of silence or degrees of formality
    3. identifying some cultural protocols and communication processes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
  2. understand how to move beyond making bare assertions by taking account of differing ideas or opinions and authoritative sources (VC2E5LA02)
    1. recognising that a bare assertion (for example, ‘It's the best film this year.’) often needs to be tempered by using the ‘impersonal it’ to distance oneself (for example, ‘It could be said that it is the best film this year.’); recruiting anonymous support (for example, ‘It is generally agreed that it is the best film this year.’); indicating a general source of the opinion (for example, ‘Most critics agree that it is the best film this year.’); specifying the source of the opinion (for example, ‘Reviewers for The Reel Film stated that it is the best film this year.’) and reflecting on the effect of these different choices
Text structure and organisation
  1. describe how different types of texts use language features and are typically organised into characteristic stages and phases, depending on purposes (VC2E5LA03)
    1. becoming familiar with the typical stages and language features of types of texts such as narrative, procedure, argument, explanation, discussion and informative texts, and how they can be composed in written, digital and multimedia forms to achieve their purpose
    2. recognising that paragraphs vary in their function and how they are organised in a text and between different types of texts, for example the differences between paragraphs in a narrative, an argument and a procedure
    3. describing the stages and phases, and purposes, of narratives, historical recounts, procedural recounts, causal explanations, discussions of alternative positions on an issue, information reports, reviews and types of poems
  2. understand how texts are sequenced and can be made cohesive by using the starting point of a sentence or paragraph to give prominence to the message and to guide the reader through the text (VC2E5LA04)
    1. observing how writers use the beginning of a sentence to signal to the reader how the text is developing, for example ‘Snakes are reptiles. They have scales and no legs. Many snakes are poisonous. However, in Australia they are protected.’
    2. recognising that a sequence of clauses may use different tenses but remain connected through a topic, for example ‘Snakes were a problem in Australia. However, urban sprawl is ruining their habitats and they are now protected.’
    3. recognising that sentence openers signal what the sentence will be about, and the rest of the sentence typically elaborates on the sentence opener by providing new information
Language for expressing and developing ideas
  1. understand that the structure of a complex sentence includes an independent clause and at least one dependent clause, and understand how writers can use this structure for effect (VC2E5LA05)
    1. knowing that complex sentences make connections between ideas to provide a reason (for example, ‘He jumped up because the bell rang.’); state a purpose (for example, ‘She raced home to confront her brother.’); express a condition (for example, ‘It will break if you push it.’); make a concession (for example, ‘She finished her work even though she was feeling tired.’); or link 2 ideas in terms of various time relations (for example, ‘Nero fiddled while Rome burned.’)
  2. understand how noun groups can be expanded in a variety of ways to provide a fuller description of a person, place, thing or idea (VC2E5LA06)
    1. learning how to expand a description by combining a related set of nouns and adjectives, for example ‘two old brown cattle dogs’
    2. observing how descriptive details can be built up around a noun or an adjective, forming a group (for example, ‘this very smelly cleaning cloth in the sink’ is a noun group and ‘as pretty as the flowers in May’ is an adjective group)
  3. explain how the sequence of still and moving images and the use of sound in texts affect meaning (VC2E5LA07)
    1. interpreting narrative texts told through wordless picture books
    2. identifying and comparing sequences of images revealed through different hyperlink choices
    3. viewing a short film or segment from a film without sound and comparing interpretations after viewing it with sound
    4. recognising how the sequence of images in texts creates meaning
  4. understand how vocabulary is used to express greater precision of meaning, including through the use of specialist and technical terms (VC2E5LA08)
    1. using precise words for naming; for example, instead of ‘mammal’ or ‘whale’, using ‘humpback whale’
  5. understand how to use commas to indicate prepositional phrases, and how to use apostrophes where there is multiple possession in regular and irregular nouns (VC2E5LA09)
    1. learning that in Standard Australian English, regular plural nouns ending in ‘s’ form the possessive by adding just the apostrophe, for example ‘the students’ classroom’
    2. learning that in Standard Australian English, for proper nouns the regular possessive form is always possible but a variant form without the second ‘s’ is sometimes found, for example ‘James’s house’ or ‘James’ house’
    3. learning that when there is more than one owner, the apostrophe is usually used for the last owner in the list, for example ‘the cat and kitten’s bowls’
    4. using commas to signal a prepositional phrase, for example ‘On Saturday, before it rained, we went to the beach.’

Literature

Literature and contexts
  1. identify aspects of literary texts that represent details or information about historical, cultural and social contexts in literature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and a wide range of Australian and world authors (VC2E5LE01)
    1. identifying aspects of literature (for example, images, symbols, dialogue and character descriptions) that can convey information about a context
    2. unpacking and discussing texts written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors about the events that shaped or had an impact on their lives
    3. identifying aspects of literature that represent historical context in texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
    4. exploring characters and concepts in ballads from different times by a wide range of Australian authors
Engaging with and responding to literature
  1. form and share opinions on a literary text, using metalanguage to describe relevant literary devices, text structures and language features in a range of literary texts (VC2E5LE02)
    1. posing and discussing questions, such as ‘Should characters have behaved as they did?’ and ‘How did the author support or challenge your belief about the characters?’, and beginning to form views about the dilemmas characters face
    2. identifying language features such as use of dialogue and rich descriptive language, and presenting an opinion about their effect on readers
Examining literature
  1. recognise that the point of view in a literary text influences how readers interpret and respond to plots, characters and events (VC2E5LE03)
    1. comparing texts narrated from a first-person and third-person point of view, and discussing what information the audience can access and how this influences the audience’s sympathies
    2. discussing why an author might choose a particular point of view
  2. compare the effects of imagery, including simile, metaphor and personification, and sound devices in prose and poetry (VC2E5LE04)
    1. discussing how figurative language, including simile and metaphor, can make use of a comparison between different things
    2. discussing how, by appealing to the imagination, figurative language provides new ways of looking at the world
Creating literature
  1. create texts, experimenting with vocabulary, figurative language, storylines, characters and settings from literary texts they have encountered (VC2E5LE05)
    1. drawing upon fiction elements in a range of model texts, such as main idea, characterisation and setting (time and place), and devices such as figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification) to experiment with new, creative ways of communicating ideas, experiences and stories in literary texts
    2. creating a visual map, which may include digital mind maps, of figurative language, storylines, characters and settings in a text that may inspire their own writing

Literacy

Interacting with others
  1. use interaction skills including paraphrasing and questioning to clarify meaning, make connections to personal experience or to a text, and present and justify an opinion or idea (VC2E5LY01)
    1. participating in pair, group, class and school speaking and listening situations, including informal conversations, discussions and presentations
    2. asking specific questions to clarify a speaker’s meaning, making constructive comments that keep a conversation moving, reviewing ideas expressed and conveying tentative conclusions
    3. using strategies for discussion, such as speaking clearly, pausing, asking questions and linking students’ responses to the contributions of others
    4. choosing vocabulary and sentence structures for particular purposes, including formal and informal contexts, to report and explain new concepts and topics, to offer an opinion and to persuade others
  2. deliver structured spoken and multimodal texts to an audience for a specific purpose, using features of voice (VC2E5LY02)
    1. experimenting with features of voice such as tone, volume, pitch and pace in formal presentations and recognising the effects these have on audience understanding
    2. reflecting on how new learning can be incorporated into a presentation
Phonic and word knowledge
  1. use phonological, morphological and vocabulary knowledge to read and spell words that share common letter patterns but have different pronunciations (VC2E5LY03)
    1. recognising and writing less familiar words that share common letter patterns but have different pronunciations, for example ‘journey’, ‘your’, ‘tour’ and ‘sour’
  2. build and spell new words from knowledge of known words, base words, prefixes and suffixes, word origins (etymology), letter patterns and spelling generalisations (VC2E5LY04)
    1. using knowledge of known words and base words to spell new words, for example the spelling and meaning connections between ‘vision’, ‘television’ and ‘revision’
    2. applying knowledge of spelling generalisations to spell new words, for example ‘suitable’, ‘likeable’ and ‘collapsible’
  3. explore less common plurals, and understand how a suffix changes the meaning or grammatical form of a word (VC2E5LY05)
    1. using knowledge of word origins and roots, and related words, to interpret and spell unfamiliar words, and learning about how these roots affect plurals, for example ‘cactus’ and ‘cacti’, and ‘louse’ and ‘lice’
    2. understanding how some suffixes change the grammatical form of words, for example ‘-tion’ and ‘-ment’ can change verbs into nouns, such as ‘protect’ to ‘protection’ and ‘develop’ to ‘development’
Building fluency and making meaning
  1. read different types of increasingly complex texts, integrating phonic, semantic and grammatical knowledge to read accurately and fluently for meaning, re-reading and self-correcting when needed (VC2E5LY06)
    1. using subject and technical vocabulary and concept knowledge to navigate less familiar texts
    2. skimming and scanning to check the pertinence of particular information to their topic and task
    3. using signposting features such as headings and subheadings, and home pages and subpages to read texts
Texts in context
  1. describe the ways in which a text reflects the time and place in which it was created (VC2E5LY07)
    1. describing how ideas in texts are conveyed by vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions and the way that these can change according to time and place
    2. describing how ideas in texts reflect the social expectations of the time and place in which they were created
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating
  1. explain characteristic features used to meet the purpose and audience in different types of texts (VC2E5LY08)
    1. explaining how the features of a text advocating community action (for example, action on a local area preservation issue) are used to meet the purpose of the text
    2. explaining how characters are used to deliver the message in persuasive texts; for example, explaining how characters are used to present persuasive messages about health issues in advertising, and considering why characters have been used instead of real people
  2. use comprehension strategies, such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning, to evaluate information and ideas to build literal and inferred meanings (VC2E5LY09)
    1. summarising ideas and information to determine the main idea of a text
    2. using research skills, including identifying research purpose; locating texts; gathering and organising information; evaluating relative value; evaluating the accuracy and currency of print and digital sources; and summarising information from several sources
    3. comparing texts on the same topic to identify similarities and differences in the ideas or information included
Creating texts
  1. create different types of texts, written and spoken, with relevant, elaborated and sequenced ideas, using text structure appropriate for topic, purpose and audience, and multimodal elements as appropriate (VC2E5LY10)
    1. using research from print and digital resources to gather and organise information for writing
    2. planning a report on a topic, sequencing ideas logically and providing supporting detail, including graphics, sound and visuals, to enhance audience engagement and understanding
    3. selecting an appropriate text structure for the writing purpose, and sequencing content according to that text structure, introducing the topic and grouping related information in well-sequenced paragraphs with a concluding statement
    4. using vocabulary, including technical vocabulary, appropriate for purpose and context
    5. using appropriate grammatical features, including more complex sentences and relevant verb tenses, pronoun references, and adverb and noun groups/phrases for effective descriptions
    6. writing letters in print and by email, demonstrating understanding of audience
  2. re-read and edit their own texts and the texts of others using agreed criteria for text structures and language features (VC2E5LY11)
    1. re-reading and editing their own and others’ work (which may involve using digital tools) for precision, using negotiated criteria for text structure and meaning, and accuracy of grammar, spelling and punctuation
  3. write legibly, fluently and automatically (VC2E5LY12)
    Content description does not require elaboration.

Level 5 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 5, students demonstrate the following skills in English.

Speaking and Listening

When interacting with others, students use vocabulary precisely and select language for social purposes and roles, to clarify meaning and make connections....

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