English Language and Literature
Introduction not only the essence of being human,
but also a vital property of life\A P
The PHS
English Language and Literature curricula are designed to develop every PHS
student into an effective communicator. The students, in the course of their
four or five years in PHS, will be engaged in a myriad of activities to hone
their language skills.
1. Extensive Reading activities
The
Extensive Reading Programme runs throughout the year in PHS to support the
acquisition of language skills. It is a school-wide effort of the department to
cultivate a love for reading. It comprises Silent Reading during the morning
assembly on Monday and Tuesday and newspaper reading (The Straits Times and the
IN Publication) at the start of each week.
Students and teachers spend time immersed in the world of their books as
they read together as a community.
The Newspaper Reading Programme opens up the
minds of the students to see beyond their world, to explore a gamut of social
and global concerns.
The
NLB supports the programme every year by staging a Book Buzz in the school, a
talk recommending great reads to whet their reading appetite. Also, Books-2-Go
events see students enjoying themselves browsing through hundreds of
fascinating books brought to the school by NLB officers for loan. Recommended
reads are also featured at the school library.
2. The Joy of Learning – Appreciating
Literature
In an effort to foster a learning
culture, the Literature Unit has implemented the Literature Syllabus that
emphasises critical appreciation of the texts studied. A strong collaboration
with the English Language and Literature Branch (ELLB) at MOE HQ through an
Implementation Support and Research project took place in 2019. ELLB officers
supported the team in enacting the Principles of Literature Teaching and
Learning, with a heightened focus on Critical Appreciation. The collaboration
has enhanced the expertise of the team of Literature teachers passionate about
the subject. They are well equipped to guide the students in their journey
through the texts and their discovery of the intricacies of human nature and
life.
3. Multimodal Approach to integrating language skills
With the aim of helping our students become effective communicators, the English Language teachers at the upper secondary levels further enrich the curriculum by integrating a range of language skills through a multimodal approach. The students are required to work in groups to produce a multimodal presentation. Groups that are ready for a bigger challenge may choose to produce a short documentary. The project offers a rich platform that allows students to acquire new skills such as conducting interviews and using a movie-making software to produce a video. The students get to enjoy collaborating with their peers. In the process, they also develop greater sensitivity to social concerns as they focus on the themes of Care for the Elderly and Care for the Environment. Many of them will find the experience engaging and enriching as they gain a repertoire of IT and language skills.







4.
Academic Support
English Language and Literature
teachers provide support for students by conducting remedial classes as well as
conferencing and oral mentoring. Students are guided to reflect on their work
and analyse their errors to grow in their language acquisition. This approach
helps them to cultivate a sense of responsibility and ownership towards their
own learning. They also develop their confidence.
Conclusion: