Studying with the VSL Course app
This page explains getting started with your study using the VSL course app.
Your Teacher:
At the beginning of Term 1, your teacher will contact you directly to introduce her/himself and explain in more detail the course requirements.
The VSL course app:
If you do not have the VSL course app, you will need to install this app onto your computer. It is available for these operating systems:
- Windows (7, 8, 8.1, 10)
- MacOSX
- iOS (iPad only)
You can install the app on multiple computers. If you do work on different computers make sure you 'sync' at the end of each session so the latest version of you work is available everywhere.
School laptops
Sometimes school laptops only provide students with limted permissions. This may:
- Prevent you from installing the app
- Allow you to install the app but not allow the app to communicate with the VSL servers
In either case you will need to ask your school IT support for help.
Install VSL Course app Version 3.1
If you used the VSL Course app in 2021 you do not need to reinstall. The 2021 version will work with the 2022 courses.
Once installed you should have the VSL Course App icon on your desktop/launch bar:
Once the app is launched you should get this login page:
Some notes about the installing the VSL course app
- You can install the app on as many computers as you like.
- If you have a school computer you may not have permission to install apps. See your home school's IT Support.
- Parental Control software may also block installation of the app. In some rare cases running these controls can also stop the app from running correctly
- Technical support is available at coursehelp@vsl.vic.edu.au. There is also a link to Course Help in the app on News and Contacts tab in the app. If you have a problem using the app, please provide as many details as possible. Screen grabs of errors are always helpful.
How to set your password
For security reasons passwords cannot be emailed to students. Instead you must set your own password. Click on the link below and follow the steps:
Password set/reset page (https://courses.languages.vic.edu.au/password_reset)
NOTE:
- When setting your password you must use the email registered with the VSL
- To change the email registered with the VSL contact: help@vsl.vic.edu.au
- Passwords cannot be retreived, only reset using the link above
- For other enrolment queries contact VSL Enrolment Officer on 03 9474 0555 or SophieS@vsl.vic.edu.au
Weekly course work
The course is divided into 32 Worksets. Each week you are expected to complete and submit one Workset. Each Workset in the VSL Course App contains:
- online practice activities
- online activities for submission
- reading and listening texts
- grammar notes
In some languages, you may be required to submit weekly hand-written work as well. In this case, a Writing Workbook will be mailed to you. You have the option to mail back your worksheet each week, or scan and upload your worksheet through the Course App.
Oral lessons
- Usually conducted at least fortnightly by video call
- You will need to contact your teacher at the beginning of the school year to organise a regular time for your Oral Lesson
- The Oral Lesson Booklet guides you through each lesson. This will be mailed to you at the beginning of each semester, and is also available to download from the Resource Library in the Course App.
Study & Revision Notes
- Includes key reading texts, grammar notes, vocabulary lists and other useful information
- may include some worksheets for hand-written tasks, that you then mail back to your teacher or upload to the Course App.
- The Study & Revision Notes will be mailed to you at the beginning of each semester, and is also available to download from the Resource Library in the Course App.
If you do not receive the Study & Revision Notes and Oral Lesson booklet in the first few weeks of the semester please let your teacher know so they can follow it up.
Seminars/Webinars
For VCE courses, several face-to-face or online Seminars are conducted through the year.
- Meet your teachers and fellow Distance Education students
- Learn about the requirements of a VCE Languages course and get advice as to how to achieve the best results. Practise for Assessment Tasks, take part in grammar and conversation workshops.
- Seminar details will be made available at the start of term.
VCE School-Assessed Tasks
- As with all VCE subjects, formal assessment tasks must be completed under supervision at your school.
- Materials for your assessment will be sent to your VSL supervisor at your home school.
Support for parents/carers
The VSL provides the following support for parents/carers:
- Student progress page: Early in Term 1, parents/carers will be emailed login details to the View Student Progress page. This page provides an overview of each student’s progress in weekly written / spoken work and VCE assessments where applicable.
- Parent/carer information evenings: Held online in the first few weeks of Term 1, these sessions give parents/carers the opportunity to meet teachers who will give an overview of studying with the VSL. Teachers will contact parents with details early in Term 1.
- Parent/carer teacher interviews: Conducted online twice a year: Late March and August.
