TO implement changes in teaching of the English language curriculum, Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) is offering more support for teacher training and development.
Last month the English Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee began a comprehensive review of the teaching and learning of English language in Singapore's schools. And the MOE has accepted the Committee's recommendations on improvements.
The new English language curriculum will focus on developing oral confidence, grammar knowledge and a love of reading. These are expected to anchor English language learning throughout the primary school years. One programme, Strategies for Effective and Engaged Development in English Language, is being tried out in the lower primary curriculum in 30 schools this year. It will be applied to all schools by 2009.
Secondary students will use and build on foundational skills, in particular, grammar and spoken English. To ensure that sufficient emphasis is placed on the teaching of spoken English in the secondary curriculum, oral communication will be increased as a percentage of grades from 20 to 25 per cent.
To ensure that the new curriculum is successfully applied, the MOE has decided that all secondary schools will get two additional English language teachers each. Primary schools will set at least one more English language specialist by 2010.
The English language specialist will work with the Head of Department to improve the school's English language programme and to mentor younger teachers.
To attract those with high language proficiency, the MOE is offering more teaching awards, and the training of teachers is also set to change.
Primary school trainee teachers, with English as one of their subjects, will attend an additional English enhancement course. These will be held at the Singapore's National Institute of Education. Secondary school trainee teachers will undertake 216 hours in English language courses to enhance their pedagogical knowledge.
"We have found that there is a need to address the language proficiency levels, as well as the content knowledge of the trainee teachers. The improvement courses are designed to help broaden and deepen the content knowledge. They are also expected to improve the language proficiency of those who are in need of it," said Associate Professor Lubna Alsagoff, Head of the English Language and Literature Department, National Institute of Education.
All teachers currently in the service will also be attending customized courses on spoken English.
"We are looking forward to training in English for teachers who are teaching non-English subjects. If all teachers can now see themselves as role models in English, that will be a lovely day for us," said Fuziah Taha, principal of North View Primary School.
English medium teachers in primary schools typically teach English, Maths and Science, but soon they will be able to specialize in teaching two subjects, instead of three.
The MOE also plans to work with media organizations and the community to create an environment favourable to the acquisition of the English language. For example, Singapore Press Holdings has a weekly column in the Sunday Times called "English As It Is Broken" to correct wrong usages of English.
