Is VCE English Language Hard?
Is VCE English Language hard? Is VCE English Language the right subject for you? Have a read at Nicole’s journey through this program as she shares her insights into the challenges she faced, as well as many ways to overcome them, ultimately taking home a Raw 45 study score.
Hi readers! I‘m Nicole, a past student of VCE Excel Education and a high scorer (Raw 45) in VCE English Language. As a student who’s been through it, I can honestly say that whether it is hard really depends on your strengths and interests. For me, and for many of my peers, it definitely posed some unique challenges.
In Year 10, I found myself asking the same question while choosing subjects for VCE. After extensive research and talking to my VCE English language tutor, I determined that the program was a better fit for me. While this might not be the experience for everyone, I found little enjoyment in analysing novels and authors’ intentions—a major focus of core English.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed dissecting conversations, which is a key aspect of English Language. Opting for VCE English Language turned out to be one of the best decisions in my 18 years—I genuinely had a lot of fun, even though it was daunting at first.
What students found hard
+ tips and tricks for VCE English Language
Before I move on to more specific tips, here are some general tips:
Students found it hard to find interest and enjoy the the process of learning, leading to a loss of motivation. Without genuine interest, staying engaged with the seemingly complex material becomes a chore, making it difficult to invest the time and effort needed to grasp concepts deeply.
→ Try to be curious and passionate. I know it sounds nerdy, but make it FUN. Expand your analytical skills to linguistics in the real world. If you’re unsure, your VCE English language tutor can help break it down.
Students often struggle to figure out what to improve on and are limited in their exposure to different perspectives.
→ Find a study group, or work with your English language tutor to review and discuss work. A small, focused peer review (like mine with a friend on Google Drive) helped me improve drastically.
One of the challenges of is the need to stay informed about current events and contemporary issues.
→ Read widely—news, sample essays, and even your friends’ analysis. I found that my tutor often recommended ABC and The Conversation as excellent sources.
Many students find VCE English Language challenging due to the varied skills required for each section of the exam.
→ Understand the structure: Short answer, Analytical Commentary, Essay. Tailor your strategy for each. My VCE tutor always emphasized the need to plan ahead.
Time management is a common struggle.
→ Use your 15-minute reading time wisely. Plan your essay, then analytical commentary, then short answers. My tutor helped me develop this habit until it became second nature.
Tips Specific to Each Section
Short Answer:
Main takeaway: lego blocks
→ The Short Answer section challenges both beginners and advanced students. Some fail due to weak grasp of metalanguage; others fail to connect to the text.
→ For beginners, my English language tutor helped me build “lego blocks”—pre-written analytical chunks for features like passivisation or nominalisation.
→ For top scorers: perspective matters. Put yourself in the speaker’s shoes. Use specific references like “Mr Albanese” instead of just “the speaker”.
Analytical Commentary:
Main takeaway: show, don’t tell
→ I used to describe what I saw, not analyse. My VCE English language tutor taught me to imagine I was explaining to a 5-year-old, helping me break down even obvious points to add depth.
→ Always connect each point back to social purpose, context, and register. It’s something that separated a 35 from a 40+.
→ Yes, you can pre-prepare for an AC. I had a toolbox of phrases and stylistic templates, which my English language tutor helped me develop.
Essay:
Main takeaway: don’t be an NPC
→ Boring, generic examples like “rizzler” won’t impress the examiner. They helped me think outside the box—like analysing a 2023 Edrolo ad for Teenspeak.
→ Don’t waste 10 minutes picking your prompt. Train yourself with a go-to decision system. For me, it was Unit 3 > Unit 4, Formal > Informal. My tutor drilled this into me.
That’s it from me for now.
Mastering the VCE English Language is a journey. Whether you’re working alone or with a dedicated English language tutor, remember: every word you analyse brings you one step closer to mastery. Keep reading, keep writing, and never stop asking “why?”
