Language Arts and Thinking
Discover how the Language Arts programme builds confident communicators and critical thinkers, from classroom learning to enrichment opportunities in writing, oratory, and research.
LA Department Philosophy, Mission, Vision
Philosophy
The LA Department believes that language is a key vehicle of thought. Language is not just a tool for thinking, learning and sharing of learning; it is also a means for us to socialise, articulate opinions, express identities and negotiate our relationships with the world around us. In an increasingly globalised world where rapid development in information technology is part of our lives, there is a greater need for linguistic and communicative competence. As communication increasingly spans diverse modes and platforms, the curriculum emphasises multiliteracies, enabling students to communicate effectively through written, visual, audio, and digital forms for different audiences, purposes, and contexts.
Mission
The Language Arts programme aims to develop students’ ability at effective communication by developing their receptive skills (listening, reading and viewing), productive skills (speaking, writing and representing) and thinking skills in a progressive way. Students will recognise that text and language choices are based on audience, purpose and context.
Vision
To nurture creative and critical thinkers who are effective communicators and collaborators who can express themselves with accuracy and fluency. Through our programme, students become courageous and civil communicators, discerning readers and creative and critical thinkers.
Language Arts and Thinking curriculum overview by year level
JH1 | JH2 | JH3 | JH4 | ||
Macro Concept | Change | Tension | Structure | Relationships | |
LA Sem 1 | History-LA | Romeo & Juliet | Family, Education, Community | Keeping SG Special | |
LA Sem 2 | Science Fiction | Reading, Writing | Morality | ||
Thinking (All year) | Inference | Assumptions, Informal Fallacies | Paul’s Wheel | Paul’s Wheel | |
SPIRE | Literature/ Linguistics | ||||
Literature | Literature | Literature (Practical Criticism and Prose); Governance and Society (TBC) | |||
Man and Ideas [Elective module] | Epistemology (Sem 2) | Ethics (Sem 1) | |||
Examples of Some Enrichment & Extension Opportunities | Level 3: MOE HSSRP, Moot Parliament Programme (MPP) Level 2: MOE Creative Arts Seminar (CAP), Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA), Literature Seminar Level 1: National Schools Literature Festival, Queen's Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition, Writer's Circle | ||||
Thinking (@Lower JH)
Critical thinking is incorporated and taught throughout the four years in Language Arts lessons. Students are introduced to Richard Paul’s Wheel of Reason to help them to analyse, understand and evaluate the texts and issues that they encounter.
From JH1, students are made aware of the processes involved in critical thinking when they are exposed to inference and assumptions, two of the elements of reasoning in ‘The Elements of Thought’. As they move up the levels, they will be exposed to more/all elements of reasoning and be given ample opportunities to apply their critical thinking and reasoning in class, through their work and under assessment conditions.
For upper JH students who enjoy critical thinking, they may be offered an elective called Man and Ideas (MI). Using inquiry as the approach to learning, MI engages students in questioning, challenging assumptions and known knowledge, exploring what they do not yet know, and in so doing, make them better thinkers and decision-makers.