I have an Arts Degree with majors in English Literature and Archaeology and Honours in English Literature from the Australian National University and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of Canberra. I no longer teach full time but I keep in touch with what’s happening in HSC land through relief teaching, tutoring, and online marking. Outside school I like practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, doing yoga, and watching tv with my husband and our cat Pixel.
Pixel
The purpose of this blog is to give some much needed help to HSC students who want to do better in English. Comments are welcome but should be well thought out and carefully proofread. Poor spelling and grammar do not the English teacher impress. I also hope to post links to helpful resources for teachers and learners alike. Please use the tag search option to track posts of interest.
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Mrs. Langford,
Was wondering if you had HSC marking experience and if so in your opinion which Module do most students do well in ?
Thanks,
Bec
Hi Bec
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately I don’t know the answer. I haven’t marked the HSC (just the Trials) and the most recent stats I could find on the BOS site were from 2000. From my teaching experience, I have to go with Module B. I don’t know if that’s because it’s the third term and they have the hang of the HSC by then or if the critical study just connects with them. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Cheers.
Mrs Langford
I picked up the following line from your weblog, which does not sound right.
‘Poor spelling and grammar do not the English teacher impress’.
Please correct.
Cheers
Vik
Hi Vik
Thank you for your comment. I encourage all students to be editors. My sentence uses archaic (old fashioned) syntax but it is grammatically correct. You have highlighted to me, however, that I should update my “about” page. I will put this on my to-do list.
Cheers,
Mrs L.
Mrs Langford,
I recently found your blog and was quite interested in the tips and information you had posted on it. I am currently learning the “Faustian Pact\Faustian Agreement” at school. I have been given homework to compose a story on someone in the modern society who has made this pact/agreement. Could you please give me some tips on writing this story?
Thanks
Jay
Hi Jay
If you need to compose a short story, my blog post on how to write a story for the area of study might help, particularly the notes on the three act stucture. For a modern appropriation of Faust, you need to think about your Faust-character, what they want most in the world (what are they willing to bargain with the devil to get) and then the consequence (which is usually that they’re not very happy when they do get what they want). It’s a lovely structure for character development. Some ideas for what your character wants may be fame, fortune, or love. Your devil wouldn’t have to be a literal demon. It could be a powerful person or a risky venture like a loan or a business investment.
Hope that helps.
Mrs L.