Grade 2:  The second year syllabus aims at developing the students’ level of English proficiency in preparation of their pre-IGCSE year. It broadens their understanding of a variety of texts, such as autobiographies, newspaper articles, magazine articles, historical fiction, poems, diary extracts and teaches them to identify different genres and styles of writing. Reading, inferencing, predicting and critical thinking skills are cultivated, teaching students how to recognize a text’s style, purpose and aim. Students are able to identify a wide range of writer’s techniques and structures and to apply these elements to their own pieces of writing.

An introduction to poetry is also covered in the second year where students are introduced to a collection of poems, including works by Shakespeare, Rossetti and Walker. Students learn to look at a poem’s form, structure, and content, to appreciate poetry and to discuss and write about a poem’s effect, themes, and messages. Most importantly, by the end of the unit the students are able to offer their personal interpretation on poems they have read.

Students are also taught the fundamental skills of descriptive and persuasive writing and delivering speeches. Rhetorical devices and skills required are practiced throughout the year through debates and discussions to extend their literacy and understanding of the English Language. The effect of these skills on the intended audience and purpose allows students to comprehend the power of language in all areas of our lives.

Each term students are assigned various assessment tasks which all contribute to their English term average.  Assessment tasks include class discussions, projects,quizzes, tests, book reports and writing assignments.

Syllabus:

• Revision of Narratives
• Description of place and event
• News Articles- writing to inform
• Introduction to and analysis of poems
• Working with fiction and non-fiction texts
• Formal letters
• Book reviews
• Class novel
• Persuasive writing
• Speeches
• Grammar: review of tenses/passive voice/reported speech/conditionals/wishes/modals

By the end of the second year students are confident readers and are able to analyze and understand a range of texts and produce coherent pieces of writing using a wide range of vocabulary.

Grade 3: Year 3 is the pre-IGCSE year; therefore, there is a strong focus in language analysis which explores the techniques used by writers and how they influence the reader.  In Year 3, students are equipped to develop their skills in all areas—reading, writing, speaking and listening—in order to improve their fluency and communication in English.

Aims:

1. To give students a solid foundation that provides preparation for further study at International GCSE;
2. To promote high standards of language and literacy by training students with a strong command of the spoken and written language;
3. To develop their love for literature through a variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction;
4. To write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style for a range of contexts, audiences and purposes;
5. To use discussion in order to learn, explain and elaborate on their ideas and/or argument;
6. To make formal presentations and participate in debates.

Expectations:

1. Students will study a variety of texts—short stories, autobiographies/biographies, travel writing, news reports, magazine articles/webzines etc. in order to develop their skills in analysing what the writer is presenting and how it is conveyed;
2. Students will examine a number of writing styles—narrative, descriptive, argumentative, discursive, persuasive, informative etc. and practice using these forms of writing;
3. Students will explore prose and poetry and consider the context as well as what is being expressed. The student will have the opportunity to offer his/her own personal response through discussions or literary responses.

Assessments:

Various forms of continuous assessment are used throughout the terms—both at home and in class.

1. Two tests per term
2. Classwork (individual and as a group)
3. Group projects (power-point presentations, posters etc.)
4. Research and presentations (individual and in groups)
5. Homework (Comprehension and Essay Writing)
6. Oral Participation
7. Independent Reading (with which they prepare 1-2 book reports per term)

Seven periods are allocated in Year 3.

Grades 4 & 5: English for the Fourth and Fifth Years focuses on preparing the students for the IGCSE examination that they will take at the end of the Fifth Year. The examination consists of two components: a written exam and an optional oral exam.

Written Examination

The part of the course based on the written examination is divided into three sections:

Section a: Students read a range of materials and learn to develop and express their understanding of the texts and their analytical skills. These skills not only express their understanding of the texts but also their appreciation of how writers create specific effects on the reader.

Section b: Students learn to demonstrate an understanding of materials given and express this information in their own, original way for a specific audience and purpose. They are required to effectively express this understanding through various genres such as letters, speeches or articles.

Section c: Students learn to express their creative writing skills through story and descriptive writing as well as express their opinions on rhetorical issues through discursive essays. They are taught to express themselves, in writing, with care of content, appropriateness and accuracy.

The Speaking Component

The speaking component prepares students to speak confidently in front of an audience with regards to a topic that is of interest to them. They develop rhetorical skills and effective body language techniques that will assist them in capturing the audience’s attention.

Grades 6 & 7: In the sixth grade, students are divided into groups according to their needs. The opportunity to repeat the IGCSE examination is given by revision of said course. A general course in essay writing, discussion of controversial topics and the study of one literary text is offered to students who have already passed their IGCSE examination. In the seventh grade, our aim is to keep students in touch with the standard of English demanded in other Advanced Level courses and by universities.