English Department

Learning Outcomes

Develop Hua Yians to be proficient, confident and empathetic communicators in English to impact, effect and affect.

The English Language and Literature Department aims to do this by:

Developing Hua Yians to be discerning readers through competent use of skills and strategies in English.
Developing Hua Yians to be creative enquirers by exploring the use of English through student enrichment programmes.
Nurturing Hua Yians to be reflective learners by inspiring passion and appreciation for language through the study of English.

Key Programmes

Language Festival

Words have meaning and power. Lang Fest celebrates the beauty of the written word, the diversity of literary genres and the love of reading. Exciting activities to inspire students to read and write include book talks, ‘Books 2 Go’ mass borrowing and learning to write a haiku. The English Department’s signature CharacteRISE Day is also held to breathe life into characters portrayed in fiction, where staff and students turn up at school all donned in costumes of their favourite fictional characters.

Library Programme

The English Department’s Library Programme provides students with opportunities to experience joy in learning vocabulary and exercising thinking skills through competitive word games. Secondary 1 students participate in library orientation activities, Anagram Scramble and Spelling Bee, while Secondary 2 students engage in the game, Bananagram. Other school-wide activities include Blind Date with a Book, Golden Ticket, scavenger hunts and thematic book displays.

DEAR Programme

Our Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) programme is a school-wide reading programme which aims to nurture a love of reading in students whilst developing their general knowledge and global perspectives. Students read critically and with accuracy, understanding and appreciation a wide array of literary and informational genres of their choice, such as short stories, novels, educational magazines, articles curated by teachers and even their schoolmates’ published works, from various print to non-print digital sources via students’ iPads. The DEAR programme also includes Book Buzz, a platform for students to share and recommend books to their friends.

DEAL Programme

Our Drop Everything And Listen (DEAL) Programme is a five-minute broadcast of audio and video clips which are purposefully curated by teachers to broaden students’ glocalised perspectives, develop listening skills as well as enhance vocabulary uptake. Synopses, lead-in questions and content-specific vocabulary are displayed while the audio-visual clips are played. Class discussions and debates are held to extend learning. The DEAL Programme was awarded the Best Suggestion of the Year (HQ) in 2014, in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work done by teachers.

Public Speaking

Let oracy be the key. The English Department makes concerted efforts in developing students into eloquent, effective and empathetic communicators. We strive to foster a community for young public speakers to challenge themselves and bring their public speaking skills to the next level by providing students with opportunities to present their thoughts and views to others, selecting good students and cultivating them to be better at their craft, as well as developing their confidence in public speaking through representing the school in national competitions such as the PESA, YMCA Public Speaking Competition, ACJC Orator’s Trophy and ACJC Speech Arts Competition.

It’s LIT!

Experiencing Literature in Hua Yi is akin to holding up a clear mirror to understand yourself and your role in relation to the world around you, through the written word. Through the imaginative worlds of famous authors, playwrights and poets, students gain multiple perspectives, practise open-mindedness and develop a keen eye for critical analysis. In Hua Yi, Literature students represent the school in national competitions such as the Singapore Youth Critic Competition and National Schools Literature Festival, and have opportunities to hone their literary talents by participating in many invigorating workshops such as the Unity Writers’ Festival and the JWSS Literature Symposium.