Language is our way of expressing ourselves and interacting with the world – it shapes our very thought processes, the way we consider and verbalise anything. English subjects are therefore an integral part of our education that lay essential foundations for our everyday lives. Language, although often confined to classroom leanings, extends so much further than just the classroom.

I aim to show students the joy in learning and bring what is beyond the classroom into the classroom. By gamifying learning activities and working collaboratively with peers, students can experience the social aspect of school and grow as individuals without sacrificing enjoyment and motivation. I hope my classroom is a place for students to discover their strengths and interests, where students can feel comfortable bringing in their own experiences and passions.

Teaching is, first and foremost, about connection. The impact students should feel in the classroom should begin with each lesson being a place of open, intellectually stimulating, and comfortable collaboration. In this environment, students can become young adults who love learning and who find genuine value in thinking critically about everything they read or watch. English is about more than memorising language features and learning what classic texts are about: it develops a toolkit for communicating effectively and for meaningfully interpreting the myriads of text types they encounter every day, from social media to books and film to formal emails. There is an aspect and application of English out there that is both interesting and useful to each and every unique student, and I am committed to helping them find it. That said, achievement and efficiency cannot be neglected either. Many high schools have fallen short of teaching the fundamentals of academic writing and media literacy. Quick and noticeable improvement in these areas remains a priority for me. As important as personal development and a holistic education are, both students and teachers should gain a sense of accomplishment from watching the grades go up as well. In sum, I have chosen to teach because I am invested in helping students succeed academically, and because I believe English education is the key to critical thinking and engaging maturely with all the information that the world will bombard students with.

It is a universal law that if you push against a wall, the wall pushes back on you with equal force. In the same way that it's challenging to picture the wall exerting force against a hand, it can be equally difficult for students to see the force they can exert on the world. An English education should give students the confidence to impact the world around them. It must sharpen their thoughts and make them powerful communicators, but more than this, a student must come to understand that their words have significance. Effective communication is the power to bend the world around you. True mastery of communication means crossing that invisible line separating a passive life from an active life; it means having the confidence to achieve the life you desire. It is natural to think that “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players”. The irony is that the man who wrote those words was anything but a mere player – he changed the world forever. That is the ultimate lesson we can learn from Shakespeare: that the power of English is the power to become extraordinary.

An educated mind is far better equipped to weather the storms of life than an ignorant one. The modern world can be chaotic and overwhelming; information overload abounds. The narratives we absorb can be daunting, and life often feels deeply unfair. It is easy to see why some people become nihilistic, or apathetic, when they’re receiving so much information, but have insufficient skills to make sense of it all. This is where a good teacher can make all the difference.

Intelligence is a toolbox, not a t-shirt. One must endeavour to endow a young mind with the necessary tools of intelligence - critical thinking, curiosity, empathy, and self-reflection. Grades are important, of course, but it is vital to remember that the number is representative of value, not value itself. A good educator understands that the journey’s end of a formal education is not merely a score on a piece of paper. A really valuable education is one that enables students to learn their own strengths, where their talents are going to do the most good in the world, and, most importantly, what it is that truly sustains them.

High school represents, without a doubt, one of the most formative periods in a young person’s life. It is a time when students are not only expected to achieve academically, but also to begin imagining the shape of their future. The responsibility of motivating, supporting and guiding the student through their journey falls on the educator. This is, in my view, both a profound responsibility and a genuine privilege.

I believe this responsibility becomes especially significant within the context of English education. Everything we do is, to some extent, mediated by language. Language underpins almost every aspect of our lives: it is how we understand the world, build meaningful relationships with others, express our thoughts and think critically. The English teacher’s task goes far beyond simply preparing students for exams. What students learn will, whether they realise it or not, have real consequences in the world outside of the classroom. The skills needed to write a compelling essay are the same needed to compose professional reports, to make persuasive arguments in a job interview and to communicate effectively with colleagues.

Yet English education is not just about career readiness. A good education in English exercises the imagination and cultivates a sense of awe and curiosity. I believe there is joy to be found in reading the books which have shaped entire generations. Literature grants us access to new perspectives through the eyes of the greatest writers and thinkers in history, and wrestling with their ideas shapes our character. In my experience, English is a mirror in which our values and assumptions are revealed. Paying close attention to my interpretation of a text allows me to understand the lens through which I understand the world. For me, English is a transformative process of self-exploration and personal enrichment. As an educator, I strive to inspire students to be open to the world and all it has to offer, to understand themselves more deeply and to discover purpose and fulfilment in their lives.

The fascinating thing about language is the amount of complexity occurring right under our noses, that we take for granted. Humans’ capacity for language is testament to our unique ability as a species to collectively organise and communicate information. Thus, the power of language should not be underestimated. Of course, the English language is perhaps the most powerful case study of the importance of language, its status as the global Lingua Franca reaching levels of prominence never seen before in human history. VCE English Language offers a fantastic opportunity for students to realise the importance of language, equipping them with skills to analyse right down to the most meticulous and scientific details. The skills learnt in VCE English Language are transferrable beyond just VCE or English skills; with a study design based on the linguistic discipline, students will understand the science behind language at large and will even be able to apply this knowledge to other languages they know or are learning. With all this in mind, it is important to encourage this same enthusiasm that I have for language in my students.  I believe the primary motivator in learning is intrinsic motivation. Aiming solely for a specific VCE mark can be insufficient and uninspiring. However, when students care about the work itself and enjoy the learning process, exceptional results follow naturally.

It is difficult to learn a skill which we do not value. It is difficult to value what we do not understand. The true purpose of English can often be hard to understand. However, an effective and fruitful English education should impart upon students an appreciation for the importance of the language beyond examination purposes. But even for students fixated on simply achieving high marks for English, the first step to success is recognising that English is not a science dictated by ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’. It is a skill which can be transferred across the rest of our lives in the form of confident communication, effective expression, and value in the workforce.

I aspire to demonstrate to every student the relevancy of English and foster a sense of passion and inspiration to achieve their best. From there, we can more effectively work towards our goals, encouraged by the understanding that the benefits of English are manifold.

The best thing about teaching in the Junior School at Edcellent is that it allows me to relive the many moments of wonderment I shared whilst analysing and reading books with my now successfully grown sons. Why wonderment? Because language is the only tool we possess to share each other's feelings and thoughts about our very unique and personal experience of being Human. This is why every piece of writing, whether it is from a child in Year 3 or an adolescent in Year 12 is unique. Novels and books are the only way through which we can have a glimpse of the inner world of the writers who created them. It is a wondrous place. Through words, we resonate with the harmony and contradictions, joy and pain shared by a writer. Using the same words, we tell the world what it feels like to be someone like us. It is through language that we do not feel alone. 

Having worked with students and parents from non-native backgrounds for 14 years, I have found that one of the greatest misconceptions about English and Writing is that it is about vocabulary and grammar, which is like saying Cooking is about meat and vegetables. True, these are the essential ingredients for any language user; and no one needs them more than the IELTS and University-level Foundation English learners I have taught for the last 20 years. Yet these are the very minimal requirements for any student who wishes to excel in their native language. Too often, students lack originality and critical thinking skills.

As a Naplan and Scholarship Test Writing Examiner, I have found that the best pieces of writing are the ones that demonstrate an imaginative, curious, wise, impassioned and compassionate mind. To cultivate such minds, Primary and Lower-Secondary levels students need to be introduced to the implicit messages and conventions of story-telling and persuasive prose. They need to experience deeply how words and syntax, imagery and figurative language are carefully weaved together to create a unique experience for the reader.  These skills are later honed and developed for the four Units of VCE English. Many of the VCE EAL students in my High School simply have not been exposed to these skills early enough, so it is impossible for them to do well. 

Luckily, these are skills all children utilise instinctively; all we need to do is to guide and inspire them. For many parents for whom English is not their native language, this is a daunting task. I am therefore honoured and privileged to share your children's experiences on their journey through books, ideas and the sublimely beautiful English Language.

Understanding English as more than a tool is crucial to its value. The possibilities that open themselves within the language’s academia are truly limitless. When English surrounds us, it is important to study its currents so we can redirect the flow to our needs. This means breaking out from its preconceived notions and exploring uncharted waters. Mastery of the language can only be achieved when you open your mind to all its branches.

Within my class, I want to inspire a safe environment that empowers students to reach their full potential. I am committed to inspiring confidence that reimagines the challenges ahead as not daunting but conquerable

True learning demands energy, passion and a burning desire to explore, question and grow beyond one's comfort zone. It thrives when curiosity meets dedication as the pursuit of knowledge becomes a rewarding personal journey not just in your schooling years, but all areas in life. As a language enthusiast and passionate learner myself, I am determined in bringing the colours out of what people see as just letters and words, helping students get to know, understand and embrace the exploration process of the English language. My teaching will aim in fostering critical thinking, creativity and empathy through engaging and inspiring students with diverse readings that reflect multiple perspectives and cultures. 

Language is obviously amongst the most profound and necessary of the forces that shape our lives and thought. Language, as has so often been said, is power. A critical examination of the ways in which it is constructed and used is essential, both as a defence against the blandishments of bogus ideas and as a source of intellectual pleasure in itself. This pleasure can be a stimulus to intellectual curiosity and achievement, and perhaps even to a more empathetic identification with its manifold users. With thirty years as a teacher and researcher, Dr Hoy is a communicator who has a passion for and a pleasure in language. His aim is to inspire his students to share that passion and pleasure - firstly, so that they can improve their grades but, more importantly, for the enrichment of their lives and thinking.

Academic success is important because it opens the door to more career opportunities, but developing critical thinking skills is also essential. It will help students question established norms and challenge their assumptions. I believe students should read widely to learn more about the world around them and understand the key issues affecting their lives. I am also passionate about cultivating the interests and strengths of students, rather than leading them down a predetermined path.

Writing daily is the best way for students to practise and improve their English, and their first draft should never be their last. I believe in accessible writing; using simple words in concise sentences to convey a message or argument as opposed to using complicated words in long- winded sentences with the aim to impress.

My goal is to empower students by giving them voice and choice in the learning process and an opportunity to be creative. I want to foster their strengths in a collaborative and safe environment. And as a first-generation Chinese Australian who is now working as a journalist/editor at one of Australia’s most highly-regarded media organisations, I believe I will also serve as a strong role model for the students.

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have. As Socrates said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Unfortunately, many modern classrooms often feel like students are simply being filled up like vessels. 

Every student has a spark of curiosity that can lead to significant personal and academic growth when supported, with the most crucial time to foster this love for learning when students are still young. My aim is to ignite this spark of knowledge to create a vibrant passion for learning. When children are encouraged to explore their interests and engage with new ideas, they develop a natural curiosity that drives them to seek knowledge beyond the classroom. By setting in motion this excitement for discovery, I hope to create a classroom where my students look forward to our lessons - viewing them as exciting opportunities rather than chores.