Do you ever wonder how you'll meet the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) VCE English criteria, which can sometimes seem all too elusive?
You're not alone. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of the process for Year 12 English students in our Active Learn Mastery Course—specifically tailored to help you thrive in your study of Shirley Jackson’s haunting and complex novel, We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Here’s a sneak peek into what you can expect inside our course. We’ve designed every element to help you:
Whether you're grappling with Gothic conventions, symbolism, or complex narrative voices, this course breaks everything down into manageable, practical strategies.
In Lesson 9.2, you’ll explore the powerful ways Jackson examines ‘punishment’ in the novel. We help you unpack how form, language, and narrative perspective shape the reader’s understanding of power, patriarchy, and isolation in Merricat’s world. Here’s a short excerpt from one of our expert-written sample essays included in the workbook:
The Active Learn Mastery Course: Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a self-paced program designed to empower Year 12 students with the tools they need to write analytically, think critically, and perform at a high level in VCE English.
What’s included?
By the end of the course, students will confidently construct nuanced literary analyses, understand how Jackson’s Gothic techniques shape meaning, and write essays that meet the top bands of VCAA’s assessment criteria. Want to feel confident and in control of your English essays this year?
Click here to enrol now – and take the next step toward VCE success.
Before joining Active Learn, I struggled to study for English. Weekly lessons expanded my vocabulary and taught me skills that made my writing sound more sophisticated and the process was enjoyable. With abundant resources and expert advice, my results improved dramatically. Active Learn helped me see the value in my ideas, and with consistent practice, I reached my goals. (Year 12 student, 2024)
Active Learn was an absolute godsend for me. When I first joined the program I strongly disliked English, had very little confidence in myself, and I knew that my grades were well below what I could achieve. I was disengaged in my classes, especially because I lacked the kind of one-on-one support Active Learn offered. The resources and instruction provided, alongside the genuine dedication towards students, allowed me to finally begin enjoying the subject, and to in turn reach my academic goals.From Active Learn, I learned that if you put in the work, and have a little more self-assurance, you’ll be able to achieve your own potential - whatever that may be. (Student, 2023)