HSC Elective 1: Living and Working in the Community

In this elective students explore the kinds of texts that are widely used in the workplace and the community. They respond to and compose texts appropriate to specific situations designed to meet students’ needs and interests. They consider what these texts imply about the nature of the workplace or the community in which they are used.

Students are required to read and respond to a range of types of texts, including: job advertisements; applications and other forms; information brochures and technical manuals; news reports and editorials; feature articles; advertisements; web pages; speeches and interviews; and other relevant texts. They are required to compose a range of types of texts, including: job application letters and personal résumés; work and accident reports; letters to the editor; letters of complaint, appreciation and request; advertisements and information brochures; feature articles; web pages; speeches and interviews; and other relevant texts. Students are also required to identify and explain the purposes and language techniques used in these types of texts.

Students are to supplement this study with texts of their own choosing related to the elective. The support document, Workplace and Community Texts (see www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au ), provides examples of types of texts and may further supplement students’ study of this elective.

Two Writing Tasks

Living and Working in the Community (20 marks)
Task One
A newspaper has published an article which argues that the content of HSC courses is not relevant for students.
Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. In your letter, express your opinion on the usefulness of the Living and Working in the Community elective for students.

Dear Editor

I refer to the article that states/claims the irrelevance of the content of the HSC subjects. I think the writer may not really understand the HSC course syllabus. It is not fair to say that the course is not relevant for students. As a HSC student, I am fully aware of the fact that the HSC course can help students to either enter universtiy or workplace. I would like to take the example of the elective course, "Working in the Community" to express my opinions.

Firstly, the course is an elective one. In other words, it is designed for students who wish to enter the job market after the HSC exams. If students decide to enter university, they wouldn't need to choose the course because it is not relevant for the near future.

Secondly, the syllabus of the course is designed in such a way that students can use the information and they learn in the course, For example, students would learn to write job application letter and reseme. This is a very useful documents for job searching. Without them, it is very difficult to get a good job.

Thirdly, the course helps students to focus on their future goals. There are a number of different courses that they need to select before they take the exams.

To conclude, l would argue that the syllabus of the HSC course is well covered for both academic and workplace purposes. It is students' responsibilty to study and select the right subjects to meet their future needs.







Task 2 : Academic English (20 marks)
The Board of Studies has decided to review the content of HSC courses.
Write a brief report for the Board of Studies. In your report, comment on the usefulness of the
Academic English elective for students.

My Hobbies

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog.  Actually this's my first time to write a paragraph in the blog in English!  Er......let me talk about my hobby.  I've many hobbies like: reading, photography, badminton, playing  piano. Well, I don't think drawing manga is my hobby but I like drawing different characters in the manga. =)   Some people don't like reading books but they like watching movies.

I think reading can enhance and improve our imagination. We must use our imagination whenever we read. But we don't really use our imagination when we watch movies because there are pictures. I think reading books is more fun than watching movies.

           (This's the manga character that I've drew.  He's came form Fairy tail^^)