English Programme

Discover how Dunman High's English Programme builds confident, empathetic communicators through innovative teaching, oracy activities, and enriching experiences like Live(L)it Week.

Last updated on 15 September 2026

Members

Group photo of Dunman Secondary School 2025 English Language and Literature Department staff, seated and standing in two rows.

Mission / Objectives of Department

The department is committed to developing all Dunmanites to be effective and empathetic communicators who appreciate the English language, its literatures and cultures and who use the language creatively, critically, competently and ethically. The department also strives to develop all teachers of the English Language and/or English Literature to possess subject mastery and deliver effective and innovative teaching strategies that will imbue a love of learning for themselves and their students alike.

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

Students are expected to acquire different learning objectives at various stages of their secondary school course. Generally, these objectives fall into four broad domains of learning:

Communication and Language Development
Thinking Skills
Learning How to Learn
Language and Culture

Through the use of innovative and engaging pedagogies like Differentiated Instruction, the Gradual Release of Responsibility and Learning Study teachers aim to achieve these objectives and develop 21st century competencies in the learner.

The learner’s progress is assessed holistically and classroom assessment is generally divided into three types: assessment for learning, assessment of learning and assessment as learning. The department also aims to provide varied and authentic learning experiences that are both meaningful and engaging for the learners.

Programmes and Activities

Oral Communication Programme

Our oracy programme aims to develop empathetic communicators who possess the values, dispositions and skills to listen actively to different perspectives, communicate confidently, effectively and sensitively while collaborating with others to work towards shared goals through cohort-based platforms and other school-wide presentation platforms. The cohort-based oracy programmes also aim to develop creative inquirers who explore and evaluate real-world issues and multiple perspectives, as well as gather and synthesise information from diverse print, non-print and digital networked sources, so as to co-create knowledge and solutions in familiar or new contexts.

Activities

1) Learning Journeys

The department strives to enrich the students' learning experience beyond the confines of the classroom and learning journeys will be planned for the students along the year as and when possible. In particular, our students are given exposure to appreciate authentic theatre experiences.

2) Speak Good English and Live(L)it Week

During the annual Speak Good English Week and Live(L)it Week a plethora of exciting activities are lined up for the students to encourage them to converse and write good and proper English and to spark a love for Literature. Some of these include cohort-based language games and activities, talks by local writers, book fairs by vendors and internal competitions. The yearly affair culminates with the much-anticipated event: Books Come Alive@Dunman. Dunman undergoes a vibrant transformation each year when students and teachers alike don the outfits of famous characters from literary books, impersonating their chosen characters both in appearance and behaviour.

A young person in a red pirate costume with a tricorn hat holds a sword and a hook hand in a room with chairs.

A crowd of students, some wearing masks and costumes including a Minion outfit and a bird beak mask.

A boy in glasses raises his arms in celebration on stage between two teens holding microphones, with a crowd seated behind.

Group of people in various costumes including a Baymax inflatable suit posing together indoors.

Students in costumes including Minions, Harry Potter, and Totoro posing in groups at a school event.

A person in a Jedi costume holds a glowing blue lightsaber before a large seated crowd of children in a hall.

School display boards with colorful text reading "Experience the Word," "What Do You Meme," and "This or That," with books on draped tables.

Three people pose against a yellow wall, one dressed as a pirate with dreadlocks, tricorn hat, and sword.

A smiling young person wearing a handmade tree costume with cardboard trunk, paper branches, and green leaves.

Large school hall packed with students, some in costumes including an inflatable T-rex and a Spider-Man suit.

Two people in a school gym wear vegetable costumes, one red chili and one green pea pod, posing with peace signs.

Five people in costumes including a pirate and a tall top hat perform a skit, one holding a paper labeled MAP.

Three people in pirate costumes with swords and tricorn hats pose in an indoor hall with wooden floors.

Three costumed women in villain outfits pose outdoors, holding Dalmatian dog balloons on leashes.

A person in a green costume holds a prop lyre while sitting on a hall floor among many students in costumes.

A smiling woman with blue face paint and a blue dress walks in a hall filled with seated audience members.

3)Talent Development Initiatives

Through the Language League Committee, opportunities are curated for students to hone their potential and grow their passion. This year, we received Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for the Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition.

A group of students in school uniforms hold certificates while posing with adults outdoors near a yellow building.