English
Vision
Avid readers, Eloquent speakers, Inspired writers
Mission
The CPS English Department is committed to building an English classroom that will produce young communicators who can articulate their ideas well; verbally and written and to encourage a love for the language.
For our students to grow and become successful members of our society, they must have a strong foundation in the English Language. We recognise that at the primary level, it is important that our students develop mastery in their basic skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. We shall nurture our students to develop a love for the language by recognising its power and using it responsibly.
On this learning journey, we engage our students in rich and rewarding experiences which will help them develop deeper knowledge and skills to be creative, critical and innovative thinkers.
The knowledge and skills our students learn will empower them to take responsibility for their own learning; to explore with an insatiable curiosity about the world and be life-long learners.
Signature Programmes
Approach
To realise our vision, we adopt a balanced and integrated approach in designing the English Language (EL) curriculum for the students. We combine the use of STELLAR (STrategies for English Language Learning And Reading), the core programme designed by MOE curriculum specialists, with our school-based curriculum. Our STELLAR approach is aligned with our department’s education philosophy to Engage, Empower and Enable. We strongly believe this approach will develop students to be confident and competent users of the English Language.
STELLAR
The STELLAR programme aims to cultivate the love of reading as well as to build a strong language foundation. It involves using age-appropriate resources and research based teaching strategies to engage our students in their learning of the language.
The key strategies used in the Lower Primary classrooms are as follows:
1) Reading and Viewing - Shared Book Approach (SBA)
2) Writing and Representing - Guided Class Writing
3) Differentiated Focus Lessons (DFLs) - Word Study
The key strategies used in the Upper Primary classrooms are as follows:
1) Silent reading - Sustained Silent Reading Approach
2) Reading and understanding of text - Supported Reading Approach
3) Composition writing – Writing Process Cycle Approach
4) Differentiated learning – Differentiated Instruction Approach
School Based Curriculum
Apart from STELLAR, the department has also crafted a structured programme to engage, empower and enable our students to achieve success in building strong language skills.
English Language Oracy Programme
Oracy is seen as one of the essential pillars of children’s early development today. Through practicing oracy in the social context of the classroom, children are active participants in developing understanding and making knowledge and skills their own.
Oracy is broadly concerned with the complex ways in which language skills, interpersonal skills and thinking skills work together and affect each other in the social context of school. It emphasizes the vital role of listening and talking in children’s learning. The ability to listen actively, speak clearly, communicate fluently, and engage in a meaningful two-way interaction with others is seen as a vital, integral part of the process of children’s learning and academic development in English Language.
This programme is a 5-year English Language Oracy Programme (ELOP) which provides a platform for students to:
- Appreciate the English Language through creative ways
- Express themselves creatively through the English Language
- Appreciate good quality works of literature.
- Work with peers to create works of literature
| Levels | Objectives | Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary 1 | • Enhance speaking skills • Learn creative expressions of the language through movement and drama skills • Build confidence in using the language |
Dramatic reading |
| Primary 2 | • Build confidence and promote collaborative skills • Explore language use for interpretation and self-expression • Learn a wide range of expressive language through different media |
Let’s talk |
| Primary 3 | • Enhance their oral skills and learn to engage with different genres of texts in a unique, enjoyable and gratifying way. • Learn to use reading and speech to portray characters, narration or exposition. • Learn to present in storytelling or poetry to bring clarity and purpose through oral interpretation. • Build their ability to express themselves with fluency and confidence through the medium of oral storytelling and/or poetry. |
Gen-I-US (Genre Writing) |
| Primary 4 | • Exposed to drama games to inject the joy in learning of English • Drama games/activities allow students to have fun, build confidence, stretch their imagination and grow as a class. • Energiser activities to keep students engaged! • Develop oracy skills |
Speak Write |
| Primary 5 | To communicate thoughts, opinions, views and belief through the 3Cs: • Critical analysis - Think deeply and independently and come up with solutions (Thinking) • Communication - Communicate the solution persuasively to others (Speaking) • Confidence - To be seen as confident and sure-footed (Winning) With the 3Cs, students will have more balanced opinions as they are trained to see both sides of every issue |
Debating |
Character Alive Programme
In CPS, we celebrate reading in a big way. We strive to make reading fun for the students by having Characters come Alive during our annual English Language Week. This activity arouses students’ curiosity in interesting characters found in stories. We actively encourage all students to discover the fun in exploring the different genres of literature. Students are given an opportunity to dress up as a character in their favourite story book and have a fun-filled day.
Our Time To Enjoy Reading (OTTER) Programme
We want our students in CPS to enjoy reading. This programme aims to provide our students with the opportunity to read books of various genres. Through book sharing, students are introduced to a variety of titles to pique their curiosity in wanting to read different texts. Apart from developing literacy skills through reading, students will also gain a deeper understanding of the world and different cultures around them.
Collaboration with Parents
To ensure our students enjoy the learning of English Language and are confident communicators in the language, we need parents’ support.
Parents can help your child gain proficiency by providing English language reading materials at home. Show your child that learning English is both enjoyable and useful in daily life. Provide opportunities for your child to listen, speak, read and write the language.
The school is always looking for avenues to build partnerships with parents to equip them with some knowledge and skills to guide their children at home. As such, the English Language Department is conducting an annual Parent Workshop as part of this effort. Targeted to specific primary level and literacy skill, we hope to share our school-based strategies for parents who are able to guide their child at home.
Useful Links For Parents
Stellar website
The STELLAR Website introduces parents to the national programme for EL teaching and learning. There are also resources like digital games for students to practise their language skills learnt in each unit of work.
https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/curriculum/syllabus
Joy of Reading 2 - Resources for Parents: The Primary School Years
Download the resource booklet for a wealth of reading resources and materials by clicking on the link below. This booklet is jointly produced by Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Public Libraries Singapore. Click here to download.
National Library Board (NLB) website
Access National Library Board (NLB) for its NLB catalogue and a list of eResources for primary [school students]((https://childrenandteens.nlb.gov.sg/). One of the highly recommended resources is Tumblebook library which has a collection of animated, talking picture books. Young children will love reading the electronic picture books which come with animation, sound, music & narration.
Dolch Sight Vocabulary Words
Mrs Perkins’ Dolch Words dedicated for the teaching of Dolch sight words to young children. Besides word lists, there are also flash cards, worksheets & slides for parents to go through with their children.
Games and activities - LearnEnglish Kids
LearnEnglish Kids has lots of free online games, songs, stories and activities for children to have fun while learning English.
Learning Chocolate
This is an interactive website to help with learning English vocabulary which is very helpful for beginners.
Starfall
Starfall is good for elementary or beginning language students. It has many reading activities that students can read and follow along while the story is being read to them.
Reading
TumbleBooks is a good resources for parents to use with the child. It has lots of reading materials and learning resources that parent and child can use together.
Free Rice
A fun website to help students learn English vocabulary, grammar, math and a variety of subjects.
Epic books
Inspiring the next generation to develop a love of reading and learning.
The “epic” reading experience designed just for kids is an award-winning subscription service, which gives millions of families and classrooms instant, unlimited access to thousands of books, videos and quizzes from leading publishers to help kids everywhere read, learn and grow.