The English Department runs courses in General Paper (GP) for all students and English Language and Linguistics.
It also runs mother tongue courses in Malay and Tamil.
General Paper
General Paper is an H1 subject and is compulsory for all students. The department prepares students for two papers: Paper 1 which requires students to write an essay from a wide selection of questions and Paper 2 which is a test of students' comprehension of given passages. The papers are taken consecutively and each paper lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
General Paper is not a mere continuation of the English Language paper students sat for at the GCE 'O' level. Also, it is not a mere test of general knowledge. It helps students to think and to express their thoughts. It is not confined to a textbook since the subject matter is gained from students' knowledge of the world around them. The course attempts to acquaint students with significant issues in the political and social realms, scientific progress and its effects on human life, the arts and their relevance to students.
A pass in General Paper is expected for entrance into most universities. In fact, some subjects in the National University of Singapore require that students have obtained a B or above in General Paper. Students can see therefore that this is an important subject used by higher institutions to judge their standard of literacy and competency.
General Paper lessons often include discussions, debates, forums and at times, visits to places of relevance to the Paper.
English Language and Linguistics
English Language and Linguistics is a new H2 Humanities subject which will be offered in 2009. The subject will provide students with a strong grounding in the intricacies of the English language and an understanding of language issues in today’s world. Knowing how we can use language to create meaning, understanding how meaning can change depending on the context and culture – this knowledge will come in useful should you wish to pursue a career in the related areas of language and communication. In fact, it will also stand you in good stead for other jobs you may take up in future.
Assessments
Paper 1 : a) Text-based Analysis
b) Adaptive Writing & Commentary
Paper 2 : 3 essays (including the analysis of given stimulus passages)
Key Info
- Can be offered as a contrasting subject for Science students
- Can be offered together with Literature and Knowledge & Inquiry
- Cannot be offered in lieu of General Paper
Malay (Existing A-level and AO-level - 8102 & 9102)
H1 Malay (8635) and H2 (9558) - with effect from 2006
Malay, at the Existing A-level involves sitting for Paper 1 and Paper 2 while Malay at AO-level involves sitting for Paper 1 only. There is an oral component for both levels and the marks obtained form 100% of the overall marks.
Paper 1 is a test of students' ability to understand and use the language. It consists of the following components: essay writing, summary writing, comprehension exercises and grammar items.
Paper 2 is a test of students' appreciation for Malay literature texts in its various genres. The texts include novels, short stories, plays and poetry.
With effect from this year H1 Malay replaces the 'AO' level paper. It consists of one paper only. The paper is a test of students' ability to understand and use the language. The following components will be tested: essay writing, summary writing, comprehension exercises and grammar items. There will also be a listening comprehension and oral skill component.
H2 Malay, replaces the 'A' level paper. It consists of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is a test of students' ability to understand and use the language. The components that will be tested for this paper are as follows: essay writing, comprehension exercises, summary writing and grammar items. Paper 2 is a test of students' appreciation for Malay literature texts. The test covers the four literary genres namely: novel, short stories, play and poetry.
Students are therefore advised to take Malay at H2 level only if they feel that they are competent to understand and write on Malay literary works.
TAMIL LANGUAGE
H1 Level
H1 Tamil Language has been designed to reinforce the basic language skills students have acquired in secondary schools . It is skills-based and thematic and communicative in approach. There is greater emphasis on oral and aural skills, as well as reading skills.
Examinations:
Students undertake two components.
A written paper, comprising essay writing and tests on items such as comprehension and summary writing, meaning of vocabulary, cloze passage, idioms, joining and separation of words.
An oral/aural paper, comprising conversation and listening comprehension items.
H1 Tamil does not count as a contrasting subject
TAMIL LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
H2 TAMIL LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE comprises language and literature components. In addition to skills development, students will be given wide exposure in various literary genres such as novels, short stories and plays.
Examinations:
Students sit for two papers.
Paper 1, which comprises essay writing and tests on items such as comprehension , summary writing, cloze passage constructing the sentence using the idioms.
Paper 2(Literature Paper) comprising tests on a novel, a selection of short stories, a play and poetry and prose.
H3 TAMIL LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE is an extension of the H2 syllabus. Students will undergo extensive language-based training and will be exposed to a wide spectrum of literary content.
Examinations:
Students sit for one paper, Section A is on expressive writing, where students write a short story or a play, or a commentary on a given issue. Section B requires students to write a critical analysis based on prescribed text as well as unseen texts.
