Although "VCE English Language (EL)" has been offered for twenty years in Victoria, Australia, the subject, and especially students' experience of it, has had little evaluation. Using data from four surveys conducted across seven years with over 1500 Unit 3-4 "EL" students, augmented by VCAA enrolment data, a profile of "EL" students was compiled and their perceptions of "EL" analysed. Quantitative results reveal consistently high evaluations regarding enjoyment, raised awareness of English usage, relevance to everyday life, and strengthened written and spoken English skills, with qualitative analysis yielding rich insight into students' assessments of why they chose "EL," what they enjoyed most and what they found most challenging. These findings provide a better understanding of "EL's" place within English studies in Victoria, and validate "EL" as a model of a linguistics-centred approach to English language study that contextualises grammar teaching within texts reflective of everyday language use for extension nationally.