Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2004

En:Ii h Extoli^sio : A ' errospective

Explaining

IOCelyn commented that the greatest way In which English Extension influenced her in Year 12, and continues to influence her at university, has been in the expansion of her knowledge

English Extension ILiteraturej was introduced into the Year 12 curriculum in 2003 and many students who chose it have remained in regular

English Extension

Dr Colwill explains that English Extension offers contact with the Director of English and teacher of the Extension subject, Dr Robyn Colwill. There of the framework -language- t rOUg W C ,t, d, ,ts who have demonstrated interest and she interacts with the ideas around her. She ability in English a range of more challenging is a shared view among these former students summed up the views that reflect the shared opportunities. The girls are encouraged to that the subject changed the ways in which opinion of the group: "The subject not Only ga'e ,, lore their social and cultural appreciation they conceptual ised their world through their me a new language, that of critical theory, With and understandings of the nature of literature engagement with complex theoretical and which to think and express my thoughts, but and the ways in which it operates in the culture philosophic principles, and that it helped both also the knowledge that this seeming freedom The course focuses on developing an explicit their personal and intellectual growth. Three and empowerment carried with it the same knowledge of different reading practices and of these past students, IOCelyn Knight (2003). constraint that any language does. After all, strategies to make meaning in texts, through the Zoe Btiggs (2003) and Madeleine HinchY (2003). our imagination will always be infinite, even detailed study of traditional and contemporary recently met informalIy to reflect on the Impact if our means of imagining consists of only a approaches to literature. It familiarises students of the subject on their learning and their lives finite number of words. I don't know if thought with a range of contemporary literary theories zoe considers that "English Extension helped me without language would ever be possible, so and textual practices that have a pervasive to think lateralIY and creative Iy in university perhaps that makes a knowledge of critical influence on Tertiary courses in Faculties such as subjects as diverse as philosophy and journal Ism theory the most practically useful outcome of Arts. Law, and the Social Sciences and helped make the school to university the subject - it is certainly one in which I take transition much smoother. " much pleasure. "

Madeleine talks of "the thrill of recognition" when lecturers touched on material with which she was already familiar. The interpretative skills she gained in the subject gave her "a very real edge on so many people" for whom the theoretical ideas that she had already explored in depth at School were new and unfamiliar

the subject gave her "a very rea I edge on so many people"

lbststudents, Joeelyn Knight12003j. 20eBriggs12003) ond Modeleine H, richyj20031. found English Extension odvontogeous