English and English Literature
English and English Literature
Introduction
The BDS English and Literature in English curriculum aims to provide students with the opportunity to acquire literary and linguistic skills so that they will be able to communicate effectively as a result of their development in the various areas of language competency.
The department curates texts and resources which are diverse to enable our students to explore their own and others’ customs, traditions, values, beliefs and ways of seeing and making sense of the world through readings and discussions. The resources used by the department add to the relevance and authenticity of the curriculum, allowing students to experience the power of language.
Student will
- acquire communication and collaborative skills
- develop critical thinking skills
- have a global awareness
- find opportunities in class to be creative and innovative
- be introduced to media literacy
Student Outcomes
The BDS English Language and Literature programme approaches the teaching of texts thematically in alignment with the Instructional Materials from Curriculum Planning & Development Division (CPDD), with the intentional use of CLEARR pedagogical strategies to encourage exploration of ideas, reflection, and greater focus on the writing journey rather than just the end product. Our lessons are designed based on the principles of e-pedagogy and blended learning and the principles and processes of EL teaching and learning. Teachers facilitate Assessment for Learning (AfL) in classrooms to identify students’ readiness, interests and learning profiles and check their progress. Our teachers adapt the instructional strategies to develop students with different strengths and needs.
Assessment Criteria
English Language Assessment (End of Year only)
| Level | Papers | Duration | Content/Skills | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1– 4 Exp & 5 NA |
Paper 1 |
1 hour 50 mins | Editing [10m] Free Writing [30m] Situational Writing [30m] |
70 m |
| Paper 2 |
1 hour 50 mins | Text A: Visual Text [5m] Text B: Narrative Text [20m] Text C: Non-Narrative Text + summary [25 m] |
50 m |
|
| |
Paper 3 | 45 mins | Listening Comprehension | 30m |
| |
Paper 4 [Sec2- 5] Sec 1 Exp |
20 mins 20 mins |
Reading Aloud [10m] Spoken Interaction [20m] SOAR presentation [20m] Reading Aloud [10m] |
30m |
| 1 - 4 NA: |
Paper 1 |
1 hour 50 mins | Editing [10m] Free Writing [30m] Situational Writing [30m] |
70 m |
| Paper 2 |
1 hour 50 mins | Text A: Visual Text [5m] Text B: Narrative Text [20m] Text C: Non-Narrative Text + summary [25 m] |
50 m |
|
| Paper 3 | 45 mins | Listening Comprehension | 20m | |
| Paper 4 [Sec2- 5] Sec 1 NA |
20 mins 20 mins |
Reading Aloud [10m] Spoken Interaction [20m] SOAR presentation [20m] Reading Aloud [10m] |
30m |
|
| 1 NT |
Paper 1 |
40 mins | Form Filling [10m] Functional Writing [20] |
30 m |
| Paper 2 |
1 hour 20 mins | Section A Part 1: Editing [10m] Language in Spoken Context [10m] Modified close 1 [10m] Part 4: Modified close 2 [10m] Section B: Reading Comprehension Part 5: Comprehension 1 [10m] Part 6: Comprehension 2 [30m] |
80 m |
|
| Paper 3 | 45 mins | Listening Comprehension | 20m | |
| Paper 4 Sec 1 NT |
20 mins |
SOAR presentation [20m] Reading Aloud [10m] |
30m |
|
| 2/3/4NT |
Paper 1 |
40 mins | Form Filling [10m] Functional Writing [20] |
30 m |
| Paper 2 |
1 hour 20 mins | Section A Part 1: Editing [10m] Language in Spoken Context [10m] Modified close 1 [10m] Part 4: Modified close 2 [10m] Section B: Reading Comprehension Part 5: Comprehension 1 [10m] Part 6: Comprehension 2 [30m] |
80 m |
|
| Paper 3 | 45 mins | Listening Comprehension | 20 m | |
| Paper 4 Sec 2 NT |
20 mins |
Reading Aloud [15m] Spoken Interaction [25m] |
40 m |
Literature in English Assessment (End of year only)
| Level | Papers | Duration | Content/Skills | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary 1 Express/NA | 1 hour 40 mins | Poetry [25 m] Unseen Prose [25 m] Novel/Short Story [25 m] |
75 m |
|
| Secondary 2 Express | 1 hour 40 mins | Unseen Poetry [25 m] Unseen Prose [25 m] Drama [25 m] |
75 m |
|
| Secondary 1 Express/NA | 1 hour 40 mins | Poetry [25 m] Unseen Prose [25 m] Novel/Short Story [25 m] |
75 m |
|
| Upper Secondary – Elective Lit | 1 hour 40 mins | Unseen Prose/Poem [25 m] Novel [25 m] |
50 m | |
| Upper Secondary – Core Lit | Paper 1 | 1 hour 40 mins | Unseen Prose/Poem [25 m] Novel [25 m] |
50 m |
| |
Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 mins | Drama [50] | 50 m |
For more information, refer to links below
English Language (1128)
GCE O Syllabus
English Language Syllabus A (1190)
GCE N(A) Syllabus
English Language Syllabus T (1195)
GCE N(T) Syllabus
Literature in English
Literature in English (2065)
GCE O Syllabus
Literature in English NA Syllabus (2022)
GCE N(A) Syllabus
Tips for Parents
We would like to suggest to parents to spend time looking through the specially selected readers/periodicals with your child as these can help build your child’s vocabulary. This word bank will be useful for their writing.
We hope we will be able to work in partnership to help heighten your child’s love for the language and mould them to be proficient and confident users of the English Language.
Recommended Reading Lists Compiled by National Library Board (NLB)
Click here for Recommended Reading Lists.
Recommended English Language Resources Online
Grammar and Vocabulary Games British Council’s Listen & Watch Activities
Dictionary and Thesaurus – Merriam-Webster Online
DiscoveRead by NLB