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• Speak Good English Newsletter - Issue #9 2008

Language Arts Programme

This programme seeks to integrate the learning of Literature and English in the lower secondary Express and Normal  classes.  Literature texts like 'Animal Farm' and 'The Witches' are used as models of writing and of grammar usage to help students 'see' English in use. Students learn how to elicit character qualities from the novels and use them in their own writing.

Reading Programme

Every Monday and Tuesday, the students would be engaged in a period of Silent Reading in the Hall or Parade Ground during which they read either books [novels/short stories], magazines or newspapers (The Straits Times/The New Paper). The Reading Programme Committee looks into providing reading materials which are of appropriate level of difficulty for students. The Silent Reading is tied in Journal Writing, book review and Oral presentation exercises in which students are instructed to give a review of what they have read during the Silent Reading period.

Teachers monitor pupils' understanding of what they have read through book reviews, class sharing and journal writing. We do hope that parents will be able to support us in our efforts and guide their children to read more extensively to broaden their vocabulary and knowledge.

Competitions

 The Oratorical and Show and Tell competitions  for lower secondary classes enthuse the students and show off the best presenters of the level after all students have presented in class.  The topics infuse National Education and help widen the general knowledge of the students.

Enrichment Programmes

Enrichment activities are carried out at various points in the year. This is to ensure that the activities are well spread out and involve as many students as possible. Activities for enrichment include:

• language games (IP Week)
  
• dramatisation (lower sec classes)
• Drama workshop for sec 2 students
• Movie appreciation for sec 1 Express students
  
• Foreign Student English programme [10 sessions]
  

The activities may be held during curriculum time or after school.

Publicity

Useful tips on the use of correct English, exemplary work of students, announcements of events among other things are put up on the English Department corridor and other appropriate public places around the school.  Notices may also be flashed on the broadcast@students TVs around the canteen and common areas.

Useful Links

• This link will take you to a site that provides hours of endless interactive grammar activities for everyone!

 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm

• This website offers a comprehensive guide to the English Language: it focuses on how sentences are constructed and the usage of punctuation

http://www.englishgrammartutor.com/Grammar%20Book.htm

• This website is a useful guide to how you should organise and write your composition.

 http://www2.actden.com/Writ_den/tips/essay/index.htm

• This website guides you on constructing paragraphs for your composition.

 http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/index.htm

• This link brings you to an entire page of links which covers a range of techniques and skills you need for writing different genres.

 http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/writing.htm

• This site provides a comprehensive list of commonly confused words . Run through the list to read the words and their definition.

 http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/classicerrors/confused/