English

Vision:

To empower students to become Confident, Competent and Respectful communicators through the purposeful and proficient use of the English Language.

Mission:

To create a supportive environment where students develop as Confident, Competent and Respectful communicators through meaningful reading, writing, speaking and listening experiences.

CHIJ (Katong) Primary uses both STELLAR (the national English Language curriculum) and our school-based curriculum to achieve the outcomes specified by MOE’s English Language Syllabus.

The English Language Syllabus focuses on the development, reinforcement, and extension of language skills in the primary years through enjoyment of the language and the promotion of extensive reading, leveraging listening, oracy, reading and writing skills to develop knowledge and independent use of the language.

Key Programmes and Activities:

STELLAR (Strategies forEnglish Language Learning and Reading)

To nurture children who love reading and have a strong foundation in the English Language, the school adopts the STELLAR approach. This approach strengthens students’ language and reading skills while promoting a positive attitude towards learning. The programme uses research-based strategies and age-appropriate materials to engage children meaningfully in learning English.

We strive to help students use the English Language effectively and meaningfully through the following approaches:

1. Listen to, read, and view critically and accurately, while understanding, and appreciating a wide array of literary and informational texts in Standard English from print, non-print and digital sources.

2. Speak, write, and represent ideas in Standard English that is grammatical, fluent, intelligible and appropriate for different purposes, audiences, contexts and cultures.

3. Use Standard English grammar and vocabulary accurately and appropriately, and understand how speakers and writers put words together and use language to communicate meaning and achieve impact.

4. Use English with impact, effect, and intention.

English Week

English Language Week is an annual event organised by the English Language Department for both students and teachers. It provides students with opportunities to apply their language skills through a range of engaging activities that strengthen both written and spoken communication. To achieve this, the programme features a variety of meaningful activities such as author talks, storytelling sessions, and a Character Dress-Up Day.

Promoting the Joy of Learning

In CHIJ (Katong) Primary, English teachers strive to create engaging lessons using the Relevant, Appealing, and Personal (RAP) pedagogical guideline. Teachers also make use of appropriate technological tools and devices to enhance students’ learning. In addition, students participate in English Language learning journeys, such as attending plays, to deepen their appreciation and understanding of the language.

Nurturing Confident Communicators and Critical Readers

Students are given various platforms to apply the skills that they have acquired. These include “Champs Take the Stage” by the EL Champions, performances during EL Week, as well as opportunities to emcee for school assembly programmes and school concerts. Through these platforms, students build confidence and learn to communicate clearly in authentic settings.

Selected students are also given opportunities to participate in enrichment programmes and competitions. These include The Wits & Words: Inter-school Debate Championship and Reading Circles (RC).

Learning Support Programme (LSP) for English

The LSP provides additional help for Primary 1 and 2 students who require help with basic English literacy skills. Students attend daily half-hour lessons in small groups, taught by specially trained teachers who use targeted strategies to build reading ability.

School-based Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) Programme

The SDR Programme is a specialised and intensive after-school literacy intervention designed to meet the individual needs of Primary 3 and 4 students with dyslexia. It focuses on key areas such as phonics, word reading and spelling, text reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. These skills are systematically developed over a two-year programme by teachers who receive specialised training in dyslexia intervention.

Reading Remediation Programme (RRP)

The RRP supports Primary 3 and 4 students with literacy difficulties who are not diagnosed with dyslexia. It aims to help these students read with fluency and understanding. Lessons are conducted in small groups by trained teachers, using systematic approaches that build phonics, spelling, fluency, and vocabulary, thereby strengthening students’ confidence and independence in reading.

Buddy Reading Programme

The Buddy Reading Programme pairs Reading Champs with a reading buddy for shared reading sessions every Thursday and Friday morning.

The programme aims to develop a love for reading, strengthen reading skills, and foster responsibility and collaboration among students. It also provides opportunities for Reading Champs to model good reading habits while encouraging their buddies to engage more actively with texts.

Alternative Assessments

In our English classrooms, we move beyond traditional examinations to focus on real-world skills by using performance tasks, presentations, and self- or peer-assessments to assess students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

Examples of alternative assessments:
Primary 1: Poetry Recitation and Show-and-Tell
Primary 2: Reader’s Theatre and Pick-and-Tell
Primary 3: Reader’s Theatre
Primary 4: Storytelling
Primary 5: Public Speaking