English Language and Literature

Department Vision:

To nurture critical, creative, and adaptive communicators who appreciate the English language, and use it masterfully to make an impact.

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

Cedar’s English curriculum adopts a structured progression that develops students’ language skills and literary understanding over their four years in the school. It emphasises age-appropriate macro concepts and themes that enable students to apply foundational language and literary skills meaningfully.

Grounded in a social constructivist approach, the curriculum prioritises collaborative and discovery learning to cultivate a love of learning. Recognising that language is a skill-based subject, teachers employ active learning pedagogies to enhance engagement and make thinking visible. Strategies such as Socratic questioning are used to deepen critical thinking.

Students also engage in authentic, real-world tasks in which they assume the role of practitioners, enriching their learning experience. They are given opportunities to explore and express personal perspectives on global and local issues, fostering a strong sense of identity and purpose.

Differentiated instruction further supports the diverse needs of learners. To prepare students for the future, ICT is integrated into the curriculum through Google Workspace for Education and other Web 2.0 tools. Students are also guided to use artificial intelligence responsibly to support their learning.

Key Programmes:

1. Literature Enrichment

Enrichment programmes are organised to broaden students’ appreciation of Literature by helping them make connections between literary texts, themselves, other readers, and the world around them. These programmes include learning journeys to theatre performances and creative writing workshops.

In recent years, students have taken part in activities such as spoken word workshops during the school’s Beyond Classroom Learning Week and attended performances such as Shakespeare in the Park, an outdoor production by the Singapore Repertory Theatre at Fort Canning Park.

2. Talent Development Opportunities

Students who are keen to pursue their interest in Literature and the English language at a more advanced level may apply for research and creative writing opportunities through the school’s Talent Development Programme.