English Language and Literature

Subject Offered

• English Language
  
  

Curriculum

Our English Language Syllabus, in alignment with the MOE English Language Syllabus 2020 for Secondary, builds on the progression of language skills, learner strategies and knowledge about language as set out in the MOE English Language Syllabus 2020 for the Primary level.

The overarching aim of the EL Syllabus 2020 is to develop effective and affective language use in students in the following areas:

1. Listen to, read and view critically and with accuracy, understanding and appreciation a wide array of literary and informational texts in standard English from print, non-print and digital networked sources.

2. Speak, write and represent in standard English that is grammatical, fluent, intelligible and appropriate for different purposes, audiences, contexts and cultures.

3. Use standard English grammar and vocabulary accurately and appropriately, and understand how speakers/writers put words together and use language to communicate meaning and achieve impact.

The syllabus aims to advance students’ language learning and develop students into Empathetic Communicators, Discerning Readers and Creative Inquirers.

English Language Lessons at JWSS

The lessons focus on the enjoyment of language as students learn, integrate and apply knowledge across areas of language learning.

To foster self-directed learning, opportunities are provided for students to apply metacognitive strategies through review and reflection. Other than teacher and/or peer conference, students are guided to notice, monitor and regulate how they are learning, and to reflect on the extent of their learning or improvement through the use of rubrics, checklists and reflection activities.

To encourage higher-order thinking, opportunities are provided for students to progressively read, view and respond to age-/ year-appropriate texts (print, non-print and digital networked sources) of increasing complexity and create a range of texts, including multimodal and hybrid texts, for various purposes. 

Monthly Thursday Sharing

Is there a real-world issue that you are intrigued by and would like to share with the school?

The Monthly Thursday Sharing is a platform for students to share their views about a hot button issue and simultaneously hone their ability to communicate confidently, effectively and sensitively. They evaluate and synthesise information from credible sources as well as share their perspectives and reflections using the appropriate tone and register. They then invite their peers to think further about the issue by posing stimulating questions. This platform enables the presenters to raise awareness of real-world issues and encourage the audience to think deeper and more holistically about them.

Wednesday Morning Sharing – Speak Well, Speak Right

“How can I be a more engaging and effective speaker?” If you have these questions, fret not, as the weekly sharing sessions provide tips on how to speak well.

Selected students focus on features of clear pronunciation and aspects of expression (e.g., volume, stress and intonation) that would help their peers become clearer, more effective and confident speakers.

Subjects Offered

• Literature in English (Lower Sec)
• Humanities Literature in English (Upper Sec Express)
• Pure Literature in English (Upper Sec Express and Normal Academic)

Curriculum

The aims of the Literature in English syllabus are to enable students to:  discover the joys of reading Literature and become aware of new ways of perceiving the world around them  appreciate the aesthetic value of language  engage personally with a variety of texts and draw connections between self, texts and the world in order to develop intellectual, emotional, socio-cultural, and global awareness  articulate perceptive and analytical thinking when discussing and writing about literary texts  explore how the elements of different genres function in literary works to achieve specific effects; and  appreciate the importance of the contexts in which literary texts are written and understood.

The study of Literature centres on literary response – the negotiation of meaning between readers and texts.

Achievements

Activities 2021

ICAS Assessments 2021 (English) ICAS assessments are designed to recognise and reward academic excellence.  Participants demonstrated their skills in various areas such as text comprehension, writer’s craft, syntax and vocabulary. Medal Winner Top score in Singapore in Year Level) Dazzel Yeo (4E1) Reading High Distinction (Top 1% in Singapore) Victoria Tan (2E1)  Dazzel Yeo (4E1) Distinction (Next Top 10% in Singapore) Randilyn Liau (2E1) Ng Ai Khee (2E2) Koh Yi Song (2E4) Angeni Chan (3E1)  Isaac Sim (3E1)   Raeanne Zou (3E1)

ICAS Assessments 2021 (Writing) ICAS assessments are designed to recognise and reward academic excellence.  Participants demonstrated their skills in various areas such as text comprehension, writer’s craft, syntax and vocabulary. Medal Winner Top score in Singapore in Year Level) Victoria Tan (2E1) Reading High Distinction (Top 1% in Singapore) Victoria Tan (2E1) Distinction (Next Top 10% in Singapore) Ang Hui Yi (1 Care) Htet Thiri (1 Respect) Tovita Singh Jolly (3E1)  Yap Yu Tong (3E3)   Tan Jia Fu Ivan (4E2)

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world's oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing. Congratulations to the following students! Gold Randilyn Liau  (2E1) Silver Htet Thiri (1 Repect) Xacus See Tho Ngok Man (1 Respect) Ng Ai Khee (2E2) Tan Jia Fu, Ivan (4E2)  Yazhinisubathra (4E2)  Bronze Fedora Tan Cixi (2E3) Lim Pei Qi (2E4) Lim Le Yao Gladys (2E4) Gisele Low Xinhui (3E4)  Perumal Varshni (3E4)

Read! Fest 2021 @ JWSS The annual Read! Fest was organised in conjunction with the National Reading Movement. Many engaging activities were held to celebrate the joy of reading and encourage reading widely in the week-long event. Sharing the Gift of Reading  Through Read for Books (Book Charity Drive by the National Reading Movement) The entire school participated in the book charity drive aimed at raising awareness of reading and sharing the gift of reading. For every 10 people who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to underprivileged children. With our collective effort, more than 100 books will be donated! Book Trailers By our very own Reading Aficionados Avid readers shared their favourite reads with the entire school, providing a glimpse into the storylines and teasing their viewers with snippets to entice them to pick up the books! The Descent of the Book Fairies – Once Again! Teachers gifting their Favourite Reads Hunts in the school commenced with much excitement with the descent of our book fairies! Level-based Writing Competitions Chain Stories ● Haiku ● Blackout Poetry ● Memes Chain stories – the collective craft of narratives Haikus – the expression of moments of insight through a brief poetic form Blackout Poetry – the manifestation of poetic spontaneity with a mere black marker and text Memes – the condensation of beloved fables with wit and technology Theatre Play by Wild Rice on Demand All the World’s Internet’s a Stage? In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our students will have the opportunity to experience the grandeur and drama of the theatre during the September holiday– in the comfort of their own homes! Manga / Graphic Novella Competition Spark the Writer-Artist Within! Students had the opportunity to create visual stories, harnessing imagination, artistic skills as well as traditional and digital methods. Our Instagram Page @jwssreaders Designed to foster students’ enthusiasm for reading

Activities 2020

W3 Cluster Literature Symposium 2020 The 5th W3 JWSS Literature Symposium was successfully conducted by the JWSS Literature Unit on 15th of October 2020. Unlike past years, this year’s symposium was conducted entirely online this year for the 130 student and teacher participants from 4 other schools in the West Cluster/Zone.  The aims of this Literature Symposium were to: a. Provide a platform for Literature students in the West Zone to interact and collaborate, thus increasing their confidence and passion in Literature. b. Allow greater collaboration among the Literature teachers in the West Zone by sharing effective teaching pedagogies and resources for Literature. This year, we were honoured to have the CEO of Strategic Moves, former Nominated Member of Parliament, Mr Viswa Sadasivan, as Guest-of-Honour to share on how Literature has shaped his life and provided him with the confidence he needs as a speaker, mediator and journalist. We also welcomed Ms Meenakshi Palaniappan from CPDD ELL who gave the keynote address on how Literature is used as a tool to discover new realities in society. Our Principal, Mr Michael Muhunthan, gave an opening address on how Literature has shaped his life over the years, and also shared some of his favourite Literature texts with the participants. The students’ workshops were conducted by  • Ms Lee Pei Yong – CPDD, ELL, Hook & Eye: Peering into the Margins • Mr Ian Tan – NIE Graduate Scholar, Unseen Poetry: An Analysis for Experiences and Expressions for Greater Meaning  • Ms Orry Zhang – JWSS Head of Literature Unit, Off Centre: An Analysis and Appreciation of Theatrical Elements The teachers’ workshop was conducted by  • Ms Esther Vincent, Editor-in-chief & Founder of the Tiger Moth Review, Discovering the Other in Literature  With overwhelmingly positive response and feedback given by both the teachers and student participants for this event, it is certain that the teaching and learning needs of the participants were met through this Literature e-Symposium.  Taking our annual Literature Symposium online this year! Mr Michael giving his opening address to share about his lifelong passion in Literature Everyone tuned in for the Keynote address by Ms Meenakshi from CPDD ELL Students taking their learning online at JWSS Literature e-Symposium 2020!  Students engaged and learning more about their Literature text Hook & Eye from presenter Ms Lee Pei Yong (CPDD/ELL) Oratorical Competition: Voices of the West 2020 On 25 August 2020, three of our students pitted their oratorical skills against other participants in Voices of the West 2020, an inaugural oratorical competition organised by Methodist Girls’ School. They expounded their perspectives and experiences on the following topics: 1. The real frontlines of the pandemic 2. Does a crisis make or break a nation? 3. Who is really essential? Their blend of oratory, wit and enthusiasm for the subject led them to the finals and eventually to clinch the coveted top and third placing. Saravanan Tanisha (2E2) First Placing Teo Bo Hao (2E2) Third Placing Nur Muhd Syahmi (2E1) Finalist Read! Fest 2020 @ JWSS The annual Read! Fest is organised in conjunction with the National Reading Movement. Many engaging activities are held to celebrate the joy of reading and encourage reading widely in the week-long event. Creative Writing Workshop By renowned local author Author of short story collection, We Rose Up Slowly and co-founder of Sing Lit Station This online practical workshop ignited the creative spark in our young aspiring writers who explored distinctive narrative features and wrote compelling stories. Writing Competitions For each level Blackout Poetry ● Chain Stories ● Alternative Endings ● Haiku The collective unleash of the inner poet Dramatisation of fragments merged in a unified story Winners whose poetic spontaneity manifested with a black marker and text The Descent of the Book Fairies Gifting our favourite reads In our reading voyage, favourite reads were gifted by EL teachers and hunts in the school commenced with much excitement Our Instagram page @jwssreaders Designed to foster students’ enthusiasm for reading