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English Language for O-levels and N-levels

Our English Language curriculum emphasises on simple and logical explanations to ensure the techniques and skills are passed on to students effectively.  Each lesson is carefully constructed with the intention to empower students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the English Language examinations. It is a systemic approach to teaching the English Language with emphasis on writing, comprehension, grammar proficiency, listening and oral English. 

Our curriculum covers: 

  • Grammar for editing
  • Vocabulary for writing
  • Reading for comprehension
  • Systemic planning for situation and creative writing
  • Speaking for oral communication 
  • Listening for listening comprehension


Humanities subjects for O-levels and  N-levels 

Humanities subjects comprise of various subjects: 

  • Social Studies 
  • History 
  • Geography 
  • English Literature

These subjects require students to be proficient and prolific writers, the ability to engage in meaningful discussions on both local and global issues.  In addition, analytical and expressive skills are necessary to do well in these subjects. 


Value Add:

  • Comprehensive notes are provided for students at the start of each new term
  • Access to an extensive library of examination practice papers 
  • Small-group interactive discussions on wide variety of question approaches and possible arguments

 

 

Social Studies

I, CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

  • Citizenship and Governance 
  • Living in a Diverse Society 
  • Being part of a Globalised World


II.  SOURCE-BASED SKILLS (SBQ)

  • Analyse and evaluate evidence
  • Drawing inferences from wide variety of sources (text, picture, cartoon, graphs, charts)
  • Recognising values and purpose of source
  • Compare and constrast different views 
  • Distinguish between fact, opinion and judgement
  • Ability to select, organise and apply concepts & facts 
  • Critical thinking to form judgements, recommendations and conclusions
  • Recognising values and detect bias


III.  STRUCTURED RESPONSE QUESTIONS (SRQ) 

  • Students are required to give their opinions or suggestions and make their case based on the given issue, moving away from the typical regurgitating of facts
  • Assesses students' ability to analyse issues from multiple perspectives, construct reasoned arguments and make informed judgments and recommendations. 

Value Add:

  • Comprehensive notes on all chapters are given to students at the start of each new term
  • Access to an extensive library of examination practice papers
  • Exclusive 'Wordsmiths Humanities' quarterly newsletter comprising of world issues, past and present. This newsletter is a compilation of relevant world issues related to the themes / topics covered in the syllabus.  The format is specially designed to generate students' interest and written in an easy-to-read style.



 

History 

I, CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

  • World in Crisis
  • Bi-Polarity & the Cold War


II.  SOURCE-BASED SKILLS (SBQ)

  • Understanding of key concepts, cause and conflict, continuity and significance to historical context
  • Interpreting and evaluating a wide range of source materials
  • Analysis of historical information
  • Comprehending and extracting relevant historical information
  • Drawing inferences from a variety of sources 
  • Compare and contrast different views
  • Distinguish between fact, opinion and judgement
  • Recognising values and detect bias

 

III.  STRUCTURED ESSAY QUESTIONS (SEQ) 

  • Construct explanation and demonstrating relevant historical knowledge

 


 Geography 

I, CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

  • Tectonic Hazards 
  • Climate & Weather
  • Global Tourism 
  • Food & Resources 
  • Coast*
  • Health & Diseases*

A competent grasp and clarification of the content covered in the syllabus is a prerequisite for scoring in the Geography examination. 

* Applicable to Pure Geography syllabus only.


II. SKILLS

  • Examination skills and techniques that allow students to explore geographical questions
  • Seek understanding through collection and analysis of geographical location 
  • Communicating and applying geographical knowledge
  • Making informed judgement and sound decisions through the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of geographical information



 English Literature 

 Note: The prescribed text that schools can use for the O-level examinations differ from school to school. Students will be grouped based on the same literary textbook or from the same school.  If you are able to form a group of three, please call us for a discussion on an available time slot with our tutors. 

I.  PRESCRIBED TEXTS

(PROSE): 

  • William Golding: "Lord of the Flies"
  • Amy Tan: "Joy Luck Club" 
  • E. M. Forster: "Where Angels Fear to Tread"
  • Alan Paton: "Cry, The Beloved Country" 
  • Mildred D. Taylor: "The Road to Memphis" 
  • Cyril Wong: "Here & Beyond: 12 Stories"

 

Note: Other texts used for IP syllabus: William Shakespeare "Romeo & Juliet" 

 

(DRAMA): 

  • Athol Fugard: "Master Harold...and the Boys"
  • Arthur Miller: "Death of a Salesman"
  • William Shakespeare: "Julius Caesar"
  • George Bernard Shaw: "Pygmalion" 
  • Note: Other texts used for IP syllabus: William Shakespeare "Merchant of Venice"

Comprehensive notes consisting of the text's key ideas (plot, structure, theme, symbols, character analysis) are provided to help students' revision. 


II. SKILLS

  • Examination answering techniques and demonstration of knowledge of the literary texts through detailed analysis
  • Effective answering skills using textual evidence and analysis


Check our 2018 June Holiday Programs and 2018 Class Schedule here.