Resources to support VCE students
Writing about personal journeys is a broad exploration of life, stories and storytelling. The resources listed here can be used as starting points for your own explorations, and offer links to similar works, information on topical issues, and collections that might inspire.
Not sure where to start? Read the following 1-pager of prompting questions.
Responding to a text might involve:
"Explorations of ‘life’ or biographical explorations – telling our stories, telling others’ stories, the problem of telling stories, appropriation of stories, who tells the stories and our history, missing stories, marginalised and elevated stories. Students could explore personal milestones, the effects of key events on their lives, or explore these ideas through the eyes of others. Students who have migrated can explore their stories of movement and disruption. They can explore the expectations of change, and the language of a new place and culture. "
Visit the VCE English and English as an Additional Language Study Design for more guidance.
Key text: The Danger of a Single Story, talk presented by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Task: Students can explore personal journeys from those who are not often highlighted in the Australian media landscape or consider arguing for more inclusive storytelling. They can consider the use of personal anecdotes, thesis statements and humour to put forward their message. Refer to p.14 of the VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Text List 2024.
Explore more Australian literature, poetry, drama and young adult fiction browsing collections in The Ian Potter Queen's Hall.
Key text: The Red Plastic Chair is a Vietnamese Cultural Institution, and My Anchor by Amy Duong
Task: Although specific to her own unique experiences, students could use Duong’s ideas to explore items of cultural, historical or nostalgic value and how these symbolise literal or metaphorical journeys. Refer to pp.14-15 of the VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Text List 2024.
Find more realia by searching the Library catalogue.
This work is part of the following anthology:
Roots : home is who we are : voices from the SBS Emerging Writers' CompetitionExploration of place and belonging
Explorations of conflict and contest, what it means to protest, the value of protest, the outcomes of protest, personal stories of protest, struggle and war.
Explorations of ‘life’ or biographical explorations – telling our stories, telling others’ stories, the problem of telling stories, appropriation of stories, who tells the stories and our history, missing stories, marginalised and elevated stories
Explorations of experiences and traditions of play and playing in many cultures and through history.
Lists a range of resources to assist with different types of creative writing and personal expression
Our Education Unit has also provided questions to stimulate ideas that are specific to Personal Journeys but will be helpful generally and to any part of the Framework of Ideas.
Key text: bidngen by Maya Hodge
Task: Students can explore the importance of language, culture and storytelling in their own journeys and can experiment with incorporating subheadings and phrases in languages other than English in their own writing. Refer to p.15 of the VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Text List 2024.
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Peak body for Aboriginal Languages revitalization in the state of Victoria, working with forty-four Language Groups and fourteen Lects in the state of Victoria and subsequent borders.
This organisation works with educators to develop plans and produce resources that support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who wish to share their languages through schools, early learning centres and beyond. Explore projects and resources which may be useful to Indigenous language teachers, educators, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language teaching teams and schools looking to work with their local language custodians to share their languages through school and early learning programs.
This work is part of the following anthology:
Between two worlds : 30 powerful voices, SBS Ermerging Writers' Competition / judged by Tara June Winch and Behrouz BoochaniKey text: Walter’s speech (end of Part 1) from The Inheritance by Matthew López
Task: Students can explore how the younger generation can learn about the journeys of those who have come before them, experimenting with symbolism and the significance of setting in their own writing. Refer to p.15 of the VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Text List 2024.
at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
embrace cultural diversity H97.237/6
