English as an Additional Language or Dialect: Units 1 to 4 explained
Senior English for students whose first language or dialect is not Standard Australian English
The senior English pathway for students who speak English as an additional language or dialect, developing academic control of Standard Australian English while valuing the languages and cultures students bring. Eligibility rules (how recently a student arrived, prior schooling in English) are set by each state authority.
Honest note on coverage: ChalkBee has no Year 11-12 worksheets for this subject yet. This page is curriculum reference, how the national subject is organised, plus links to the ChalkBee Foundation to Year 10 content that genuinely leads into it.
The four units
Like every ACARA senior secondary subject, English as an Additional Language or Dialect runs across four units: Units 1 and 2 are usually taken in Year 11, Units 3 and 4 in Year 12, with achievement standards described for each pair. ACARA numbers these units without separate names; the short focus labels below are ChalkBee's, added for scanability.
Students investigate how language and culture are interconnected across different contexts. They analyse text structures and language features in oral, written and multimodal texts, connect them to purpose and audience, and build confidence creating texts for a range of situations.
The unit emphasises analysing perspectives in texts and producing extended compositions for different contexts. Students consolidate their control of Standard Australian English, develop cohesive written structures, refine research and note-making strategies, and examine culturally based assumptions in texts.
Students examine how language choices create different effects and meanings across contexts. They apply Standard Australian English to describe, inform and persuade, and analyse how ideas and values vary between cultures, with particular attention to Australian contexts.
The final unit concentrates on analysing and using language to engage with issues and ideas in varied contexts. Students strengthen their communication, carry out collaborative research, and produce refined oral, written and multimodal presentations with appropriate referencing.
How it is assessed
Assessment mirrors the mainstream English subjects (responding and creating tasks plus an external exam in most states) but with achievement standards written for additional-language learners. States control eligibility, so students should confirm enrolment rules with their school early in Year 10.
Remember: ACARA publishes the national subject, but your state authority runs the actual course, assessment and certificate. See how each state and territory differs.
Where ChalkBee fits today
ChalkBee has no Year 11-12 EAL/D worksheets yet. The Year 10 language-strand codes below cover the Standard Australian English control this subject develops.
Related Foundation to Year 10 content
- AC9E10LA01: Inclusive and exclusive language
The social effects of language choices are central to the EAL/D focus on language, culture and audience.
- AC9E10LY02: Purpose and effect of structures
Analysing text structures for purpose is the Unit 1 entry point for EAL/D students.
- Reading comprehension worksheets
Levelled comprehension passages are practical fluency practice alongside an EAL/D course.
Other English senior subjects
Unit structure verified against the official ACARA senior secondary English as an Additional Language or Dialect pages (Australian Curriculum v8.4). Descriptions are paraphrased in our own words; the authoritative wording is ACARA's, and your state or territory authority's syllabus governs what is actually taught and assessed. Senior secondary is a live area of change, so confirm current details with your state authority before relying on them.