English Language & Literature Department
Discover how the English Language & Literature Department builds confident communicators through rich programmes in speaking, writing, and the arts.
English Language & Literature
Our Department Mission
Nurturing empathetic lifelong learners who are discerning, confident and eloquent users of the English Language
The English Language and Literature Department seeks to nurture confident communicators, critical thinkers, and compassionate individuals through authentic and engaging learning experiences. We believe that the ability to use language effectively in speaking, writing, and presenting empowers our students to connect meaningfully with others and the world around them.
Teaching Team
English Language and Literature Department teaching team members and roles
Head Of Department (HOD/EL) | Ms Hazel Lee |
Subject Head (EL) | Ms Alexis Koh |
Senior Teacher (EL) | Mrs Esther Tan |
Teachers | Mr Damien Poon (HOD, CCE) |
Our Signature Programmes and Key Highlights
1. English Language Week
2. EL Reading Programme (School level)
3. ALP: Journalism & Broadcasting
4. Lower Secondary Theatre Experience
5. YMCA Plain English Speaking Award (National level)
6. National Schools Literature Festival
English Language Week
Our annual English Language Week celebrates the joy and power of words. Through a range of language-related activities, students explore their individual strengths and gain confidence in expressing themselves.
Our English Language Week Highlights include the SingLit Workshops, where students experiment with creative expression through songwriting, storytelling, film writing, and literary design. Another popular highlight is our Human Library, an interactive experience where students “borrow” real people as living books to hear personal stories from professionals across various fields such as doctors, lawyers, architects, and reporters. The Orator’s Challenge and Spelling Bee also provide platforms for students to sharpen their public speaking and spelling skills while building confidence and teamwork.
These experiences encourage students to communicate with purpose, think critically, and appreciate the beauty of language in its many forms.
Lower Secondary Literature Theatre Experience
To extend learning beyond the classroom, our lower secondary students attend professional theatre performances aligned with their Literature texts. Recent productions such as Perfecting Pratas and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas allowed students to see the texts come alive, deepening their appreciation of character, theme, and writer’s style while fostering a love for the performing arts.
YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA)
The YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA), organised by the YMCA of Singapore in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Speak Good English Movement, provides our students with a platform to develop their public speaking skills. The competition promotes public speaking in Plain English as an essential life skill, giving students the opportunity to sharpen their speaking abilities, build confidence, and learn by observing proficient speakers. Through PESA, our students refine their ability to convey clear, sincere, and convincing messages, which is an important hallmark of effective communication.
