Singapore News
Updated On: 10/5/2006
Author: Pearl Forss -

SINGAPORE: To implement the changes in the teaching of the English language curriculum, all secondary schools will get two additional English language teachers each, and primary schools at least one additional English language specialist, by 2010.

The English language specialist will work with the Head of Department to enhance the English language programme in the school and also mentor younger teachers.

To attract those with high proficiency in the language, the Education Ministry is offering more teaching awards, and training of teachers is also set to change.

Primary school trainee teachers, with English as one of their teaching subjects, will attend an additional English enhancement course at the National Institute of Education.

Secondary school trainee teachers will undertake 216 hours of an English Language course to enhance their content and 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 enhancement courses are designed to help broaden and deepen the content knowledge, as well as to improve the language proficiency for those who are in need of it," said Assoc Prof Lubna Alsagoff, Head, English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education.

All teachers currently in the service will also be attending customised 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 for English, that will be a lovely day for us," said Fuziah Taha, Principal, North View Primary School.

English-medium teachers in primary schools typically teach English, Maths and Science, but soon they can specialise in teaching two subjects, instead of three.

The Education Ministry stresses that it is locals that will drive these changes in the teaching of English.

There are currently 40 foreign teachers in schools, and an additional 10 candidates from UK have recently been recruited. There was actually a higher number of expatriate teachers in schools back in the 1980s.

The Education Ministry also plans to work with media organisations and the community to create an environment favourable to the acquisition of the English language.

For example, it will work with MediaCorp on a new debate series, The Arena. The Singapore Press Holdings also has a weekly column in the Sunday Times called 'English As It Is Broken' to correct the wrong use of English. - CNA /dt