English Language Department
Vision: A value-added department with a high performing culture
Mission: To nurture Bartleyans to be effective and confident speakers, readers and writers.
The English Department oversees the development and implementation of the English programme at Bartley Secondary School. The English programme aims to offer a wide range of opportunities for pupils to explore the use of language, to stimulate their interest, and to encourage their enjoyment of English.
The English Language Department of Bartley Secondary School has constantly sought ways to engage and excite out students in the learning of the English Language. Apart from Classroom Teaching, the department offers 'out-of-classroom' experience through TLLM-based activities. The pupil must also be prepared to practise the skills and techniques that he will encounter.
In addition to being confident writers, our pupils must be confident speakers. We will stress correct pronunciation and self-confidence in speech presentation in all our pupils and all Secondary One pupils will be go through a speech and oral communication course and the correction of many local pronunciation problems.
The most important thing that the pupil can bring to language study is the right attitude. If a pupil never reads, he/she will never know how words can be used, and he/she will never really improve his/her English beyond the ceiling he/her has set for himself/herself. The school prides itself to having an Extensive Reading Programme that starts from Secondary 1 – 5 emphasizing the importance of a broad definition of literacy, and the need to embed this within the school’s literacy culture.
English Language
Syllabus description
The English curriculum is designed to include literary skills in the learning of English Language with the emphasis that every student who has gone through the course without taking Literature in English as a specific subject is able to appreciate and be critical of literary works. Overall, while it takes into account the important elements of traditional and national trends, the curriculum factors in the elements the pupil needs for the 21st century.
Year 1 and Year 2 Syllabus
In the Lower Secondary programme, the teaching of English Language and Literature are integrated into one subject – Language Arts Programme. Pupils will be taught the different skills that will enable them to communicate effectively with those around them. There will be a balance of writing, reading and speaking, beginning with a concentration on focused descriptive, and then narrative writing. Pupils will be required to read a range of books and extracts – not just fantasy – and to produce brief, one-page responses to these. There will be group work and individual assignments. All pupils will go through a public speaking and drama course to attain a higher proficiency level in the language. Such exposure grants them opportunities to use the language in different contexts.
Year 3 and Year 4 Syllabus
In the Upper Secondary programme, the focus shifts to expository writing and the structuring of arguments, and comprehension passages and summaries of a more discursive nature. Precision in language, and clarity and effectiveness of expression will be stressed at all levels. Secondary Four pupils will also be introduced to the material they will encounter in the General Paper at junior college level. An Expository Writing and Debate Workshop is conducted at the Secondary Three level.
Assessment requirements (Internal)
At all levels, there will be continual assessment of different modes – class assignments, performance tasks, quizzes, portfolios or journals. At the end of each semester, a Common Test will be held. At Lower Secondary, the essay titles concentrate on the descriptive and the narrative styles of writing. At Upper Secondary, essay topics will be of a more expository nature. At each level, there will be oral assessments. These may take the form of a reading test, group or individual presentations or speeches.