Components

In Year 1, the emphasis is largely on narrative writing—a style most students are already acquainted with. To elevate this foundational skill, we expose them to a variety of texts. These are carefully selected to enhance creative expression, language mastery, narrative structures, and thematic exploration. Towards the end of the year, students are introduced to the basics of expository essays as a stepping stone to Year 2.

Narratives and Personal Recounts:

Transcend the boundaries of yesteryear to construct personalised and reflective narrative texts, intentionally employing literary techniques to develop a unique writing style. Students are introduced to new frameworks for creative development and awareness.

Descriptive-Reflective Writing:

Students learn how to construct essays that rely not on narration but intersperse descriptions with reflections. The ability to reflect meaningfully and purposefully can be applied to a wide range of reflective tasks that enhance metacognition.

Literary Comprehension:

Critically analyse and respond to narrative texts, including the use of language and literary elements. Develop sensitivity to literary devices and their effects on the reader.

Expository Comprehension:

Explore information-dense texts and learn to discern meaning in rhetorical devices and other textual effects. Analyse language accurately and insightfully.

Literature:

Be introduced to literary devices and their analysis. Learn the text frame of a full literature essay. Develop coherent and insightful analysis of literary texts, including unseen poetry and prose.

Summary:

Be introduced to sourcing points critically and paraphrasing idiomatically in context.

Stimulus-Based Critical Writing:

Develop a range of textual responses to various stimuli or sociocultural artefacts, through deconstruction of texts and scaffolded brainstorming.

Multimodal Analysis:

Learn how to use semiotic systems analysis as a clear theoretical framework to critically analyse multimodal texts with graphics and other visual media. Respond sensitively and insightfully to questions about textual effects and language use.

Grammar:

Establish a critical literacy grammatical framework to understand the function and effects of grammar in texts.

Vocabulary:

Use technically accurate and precise vocabulary in context to paraphrase idiomatically and express ideas with clarity.

Podcasts:

Produce structured and personalised verbal texts that engage with a topic purposefully and intentionally.

Language Arts Programme:

Texts are intentionally architected to expose students to a stream of global diverse texts with high sociocultural and corporate value, endowing them with real-world value.

Literary Immersion:

Students are immersed in a high-culture, high literary value environment, learning how to tell stories and control the narrative.

Self-Aware Performance:

A competitive training culture managed in a structured and psychologically safe manner under the auspices of a 360 coaching approach ensures that students are able to manage their own performance with self-awareness and understanding.

Critical Literacy: 

Students are well-equipped to successfully critically analyse texts, including their inferred meanings, textual effects and use of language at the highest examination levels.

Metacognition:

Students gain awareness of texts, their abilities, and learning objectives in various objectives, endowed with the skills and strategies to allocate their time, energy and resources efficiently throughout the year.

Optimised Flow:

Students successfully enter psychologically optimised flow states at peak performance, enjoying high-functioning mental states in all conditions.

A Deeper Dive

Narrative Comprehension 

Narrative Comprehension forms the bedrock of our curriculum, where students engage with a plethora of narrative texts across genres. Throughout the year, students will deepen their understanding of language nuances as each lesson covers selected passages in detail. Teachers will highlight key textual features and facilitate classroom discussions aimed at activating students’ latent knowledge.

Skills Developed

Reading Fluency:

Students will improve their ability to read smoothly and with expression, aiding in comprehension.

Textual Analysis:

Students will learn to identify and understand narrative elements such as plot, characters, and themes.

Vocabulary Expansion:

Exposure to a range of texts helps to build a richer vocabulary.

Inferential Reasoning:

Develop the skill to draw conclusions from implicit information in the text.

Empathy and Perspective-taking:

Through engagement with diverse narratives, students learn to understand different viewpoints and cultures.

Teaching Techniques

Close Reading:

Students practise annotating and highlighting key text elements to deepen their understanding.

Think-Alouds:

Teachers model their thought processes during reading, offering insights into effective comprehension strategies.

Socratic Seminars:

Group discussions are held to explore the deeper meanings of the text, encouraging analytical thinking.

Text-to-World Connections:

Teachers guide students in relating themes of the text to broader societal issues that are local and global significance. This is crucial for developing critical literacy skills, an essential 21st century skill. This skill is especially valuable for students in the IP program as they continue to progress upwards.

Beyond merely understanding the text, this multi-faceted approach ensures that students develop a robust set of skills for understanding and analysing narrative text, equipping them for more advanced academic challenges. This multi-faceted approach ensures students develop a robust set of skills for understanding and analysing narrative text.

Literary Analysis

Dive into the depth of stories with our Literary Analysis curriculum, a component that transforms your child’s reading and writing journey. Here, we teach your child to engage critically with fictional texts, a skill that is invaluable in their development as insightful readers and proficient writers.

Skills Developed

Analytical Thinking:

Students will learn to break down texts to understand themes, motifs, and narrative techniques.

Critical Evaluation:

Your child will practise making judgments about the text and defending their viewpoints through textual evidence.

Textual Interpretation:

Gain the ability to understand subtext, metaphor, and other figurative language, enriching the reading experience.

Structured Writing:

Learn the art of crafting clear, concise, and cogent arguments, an essential skill in both academic and real-world settings.

Referencing:

Understand how to back up interpretations with external sources, teaching them the importance of validation and substantiation.

What Sets Our Approach Apart?

In addition to critical reading, students will be taught how to structure their writing so it is clear, concise, and cogent—an essential skill for any child as they embark on their secondary school journey. Research has shown that critical readers are often strong writers because the skills for reading and writing are reciprocal. At Academia, we don’t just aim for your child to ace exams; we lay the foundation for a future where they can analyse, evaluate, and excel in all facets of English.

Teaching Techniques

Socratic Seminars:

Students participate in guided discussions to practise analytical thinking and critical evaluation.

Thematic Journals:

Writing assignments that focus on identifying and exploring themes and motifs in the text.

Figurative Language Workshops:

Exercises to deepen understanding of metaphors, similes, and other figurative elements.

Argumentation Templates:

Guided frameworks that help students structure their analyses effectively.

Stimulus-Based Project Writing

Take your child’s writing to new heights with our Stimulus-Based Project Writing. This isn’t just a writing class; it’s a communication masterclass. In each session, students are presented with real-world contexts—be it writing an email, crafting a speech, or composing an online article.

Skills Developed

Critical Thinking:

Learn to evaluate different perspectives and decide on the most effective way to present an argument or idea.

Persuasive Techniques:

Master the art of persuasion by understanding how to use rhetoric effectively.

Time Management:

Practise organising thoughts quickly and efficiently, a crucial skill for both academic and professional success.

Vocabulary Expansion:

Develop a richer vocabulary for more nuanced expression.

Structural Proficiency:

Understand how to organise ideas coherently and cohesively.

What Makes Our Approach Unique?

Audience Awareness:

We teach your child to tailor their writing based on who will read it, emphasising the concept of audience-specific writing.

Context Mastery:

Your child will learn to adjust their tone and language to fit the context, an essential life skill.

Purpose-Driven Writing:

We instil the importance of having a clear objective when writing, ensuring that every word serves a purpose.

Examination Excellence:

The techniques taught also align with local examination formats, giving your child an edge in academic performance.

Teaching Techniques

Scenario Role-Plays:

Activities that allow students to practise writing in different contexts.

Rhetoric Workshops:

Focused exercises to deepen understanding of persuasive techniques.

Timed Drills:

Activities designed to hone time management and quick thinking.

Vocabulary Quizzes:

Interactive tests that promote vocabulary acquisition.

Outline Templates:

Guided frameworks to help students structure their writing effectively.

Semiotic Analysis:

Inclusion of visual texts and an introduction to the principles of semiotics. This equips students to become critical readers of not only textual but also visual media, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the world around them.

Strong writing skills set the foundation for effective communication, a must-have in today’s world. This is a vital component for any child embarking on their secondary school journey, where clarity in communication becomes increasingly important.

Non-Narrative Comprehension 

In our Non-Narrative Comprehension module, students work with non-fiction texts, allowing them to expand their understanding of the world around them while honing their language skills. This component aligns closely with exam requirements in local Singaporean schools, with a special focus on paraphrasing and summarisation tasks.

Skills Developed

Information Retrieval:

Learn how to locate and extract pertinent information quickly.

Critical Thinking:

Develop the ability to assess, analyse, and synthesise information from a variety of sources.

Concise Writing:

Master the art of brevity, capturing the essence of complex ideas in a limited word count.

Textual Understanding:

Gain expertise in understanding the structure and flow of non-fiction texts.

Vocabulary and Syntax: Improve command over language by exposure to diverse topics and writing styles.

Why These Skills Matter

Language mastery is a journey that requires time and sustained exposure. Often, students find themselves unsure of how to engage with complex texts. At Academia, we’ve built differentiation into our curriculum and designed lessons to equip students with the strategies they need to navigate and engage with challenging material confidently, without feeling overwhelmed. This comprehensive approach ensures students are well-prepared for their academic journey ahead.

Teaching Techniques

Paraphrasing Workshops:

Guided sessions to teach students how to rephrase content effectively.

Summarisation Drills:

Specific exercises that focus on boiling down lengthy passages to their essentials.

Critical Discussion Circles:

Group activities to stimulate critical thinking and analysis of non-fiction topics.

Vocabulary Boosters:

Engaging tasks that introduce new words and concepts, contextualised within the reading materials.

Structural Analysis Guides:

Worksheets that help students deconstruct and understand the layout and flow of non-fiction texts.

Narrative Essay Writing 

In the first year of our program, students delve deep into the craft of narrative writing, a crucial exam component in many local secondary schools. Our Essay Writing module is intricately tied to the Narrative Comprehension component, offering students a 360-degree learning experience. Students learn to write by first learning to read masterfully crafted texts by renowned authors such as Ray Bradbury, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Anthony Doerr.

Skills Developed

Creative Expression:

Harness imagination to create engaging stories.

Language Mastery:

Learn how to use language effectively to convey emotions and actions.

Narrative Structure:

Understand the elements that make a story compelling, such as plot, character, and conflict.

Thematic Exploration:

Gain the ability to imbue narratives with deeper themes and messages.

Editing and Revising:

Develop the crucial skill of self-editing for clarity, coherence, and impact.

Why These Skills Matter

Reading and writing are reciprocal skills. As students read, they expose themselves to language nuances and witness firsthand how compelling narratives are crafted. This exposure naturally guides them as they pen their own stories, helping them produce writing that is not just technically sound but emotionally resonant. At Academia, our curriculum offers this dual exposure, enabling students to practise their writing within the context of high-quality literature, fostering their skills holistically.

Teaching Techniques

Character Profiles:

To craft multidimensional characters, students create detailed character profiles that explore motivations, fears, and desires.

Dialogue Workshops:

Students engage in practical sessions to write dialogue that serves both characterization and plot progression.

Conflict Resolution Mapping:

Utilising the Freytag Diagram, we guide students in mapping out conflicts and resolutions to ensure a coherent and compelling plot.

Peer Reviews:

We employ peer assessments to provide another layer of feedback, facilitating the refining process.

Thematic Focus Groups:

Students are encouraged to explore specific themes in small group discussions, deepening their engagement with their chosen topics.

Through a combination of skill development and targeted teaching techniques, students will be better equipped to excel in narrative writing by the end of Year 1.