English Language

As leaders of the future pursuing excellence, FMS(P) envisions her pupils to possess effective communication skills (enGauge 21st century skills NCREL/Metiri Group 2003) as one of the essential 21st century skills that leaders require. Effective communication skills encompass the following :

• having a proficient level of the language
• possessing the ability to communicate and express oneself effectively
• possessing teaming, collaboration and interpersonal skills
• having personal, social and civic responsibility

‘Pathways to Oracy' is one of the English Department's key programmes. The building blocks of the programme are designed to engage pupils at age-appropriate levels, challenging them to increasing levels of difficulty as they progress and finally providing them an opportunity to serve the school community at the pinnacle of their training - a special module in P6. The activities offer much scope in harnessing pupils' creativity and hence aim towards achieving excellence not only in learning, but in performance at national examinations and external competitions. A child who goes through the programme will gain both speech and drama as well as communication skills - speak to inform, speak to persuade and give opinions. Hence, developing a global outlook also forms an integral part of this Programme whereby diverse views and opinions are sought and challenged.

Pri	Pathways to Oracy	Objective
1	Phonics	Pupils will be able to: 1. Identify letter sounds 2. Blend and segment letter sounds
2	Show and Tell	Pupils will be able to: 1. Respond with appropriate register to various situations, depending on the purpose, audience, context and content 2. Experience language through role-play/drama
3	Readers' Theatre	Pupils will be able to: 1. Read expressively independently 2. Enjoy language in context 3. Perform in front of an audience
4	Radio Capsules	Pupils will be able to: 1. Express feelings, experiences, stories and ideas through pre produced radio clips 2. Note the importance of voice tone, pace and enunciation
5	Debate	Pupils will be able to: 1.Develop ideas and opinions 2.Inform or persuade their audience

STELLAR: Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading is another highlight of the Fairfield curriculum as it seeks to promote a love for reading and cultivate a strong foundation in the English Language. With respect to STELLAR and language learning, more speaking and listening skills are used in the teaching and learning of the English Language. Pupils also learn reading and writing using rich and interesting books, with discussions led by the teacher. It focuses on pupils' interaction, is enriched with pupils' written language and filled with various reading materials for pupils' use.

At the beginning of this year, 2012, STELLAR has been implemented until the Primary Five level. STELLAR, combined with Fairfield's school-based curriculum provides a well-rounded approach to the teaching and learning of the English Language.

In line with the aim to promote reading, each class has been equipped with a class library that caters to various interests and reading levels of the pupils. In addition, the Media and Resource Library also provides an even greater selection of books for the pupils.

The Media and Resource Library also helps to support English Language Programmes such as Readers' Theatre at Primary 3 and Radio Capsule at Primary 4.

Updated as at Term 1, 2016