Teaching in English: Communicating Effectively in the English-medium Classroom   Tags: bilingual policy, communicating effectively, education system, english medium classroom, language across the curriculum content and language integrated learning, mathematics, professional development, science, talking to learn, teaching in english, writin  

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Singapore operates an English-medium education system, with all subjects other than Mother Tongue languages being taught in English. In broad terms, a bilingual policy places English as the main medium of instruction. This raises Singaporeans’ proficiency in the language and thus helps them acquire an advantage in the globalised economy.

Among the Desired Outcomes for Education of this system is the ability of students, progressively, to be able to think for and express themselves confidently, to appreciate diverse views and communicate effectively, and to think critically and communicate persuasively. In addition, students are expected to acquire 21^st century communication skills such as an ability to work in teams and collaborate across cultures.

Over the years, several initiatives in the field of English Language teaching have emerged that address the needs of subject teachers teaching in English who aim to develop the English proficiency of their students. Language across the curriculum and, more recently, content and language integrated learning (CLIL) are two of the more well known approaches.

This guide provides resources held by the public libraries and the National Library which support the development of academic literacy in English through the teaching of the subject discipline. Two key areas are covered: talking to learn and writing to learn. Talking to learn focuses on the development of oracy skills associated with the subject, for example, the ability of Science students to present reports of their projects to others clearly and visually. Writing to learn focuses in turn on activities that develop students’ ability to write in ways appropriate for the subject.

The English Language Institute of Singapore (ELIS) aims to support all teachers teaching in English by providing professional development that is designed to enhance the effectiveness of teacher communication in school and in the classroom.

Types of materials included are:

§         Print materials are available at the public libraries and the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. The reader can click on the hyperlink that activates NLB's catalogue.

§         eBooks 

§         Web resources. Relevant websites on the topic are accessible via the web.

§         Embedded videos. A picture speaks thousand words, what more a video? Click the play button on the embedded videos (from reputable sources) for some visual learning.

This guide highlights items in the collection and is not intended to be comprehensive. Interested readers can search the NLB catalogue for more works. 

We welcome readers' suggestions for improving this guide.

Compiled by Grace Leong, Zubaidah Mohsen, Hameedah Ibrahim, Faridah Ibrahim and Sara Pek.