English Language & Linguistics

It is not about learning the correct use of language (it’s a given that you have mastered this) but rather, it’s about learning what ‘correctness’ actually entails (in fact, the more relevant word to use here is ‘appropriateness’, rather than ‘correctness’).

You study how language is used in various contexts to make meaning. In this course, you will be learning various linguistics tools like semantics and phonology as well as various sociolinguistics concepts like political discourse, language and gender, social attitudes towards standards etc. 
It’s not all theory though. Through the study of authentic texts, you get to analyse how language is used to create meaning – both linguistic and social meanings. You’ll also be discussing linguistic issues in society. In a nutshell, you learn about language use and language variation and change. 

How is it different from English Literature?
You’ll analyse almost all types of spoken and written texts except literary ones. There are no set texts to focus on, but rather you will be analysing samples of authentic texts e.g. advertisements, conversations, news reports, online articles etc.

A page of the Y5 ELL module on Ivy, our school learning portal. Students will have access to lecture and tutorial notes, as well as assignment debriefs, sample essays and many other relevant and interesting ELL materials for Papers 1 and 2. Wednesdays, also known as Gap Day, allow students time to access their lectures in their own time and at their own pace. Tutorials which are synchronous face-to-face lessons (or home-based learning, i.e., HBL, if the need arises) allow students to follow up on the lectures and tutorial tasks such as group discussions and presentations. Tutorials are weekly opportunities for students to clarify, query and process what they have learnt in their online asynchronous lectures. 

In spite of the diverse range of subjects offered by the Knowledge Skills department, we have a single aim of developing critical thinking and exposing students to a whole array of knowledge that the world has to offer. Each subject does it differently: the focus in General Paper is on important current affairs, while Project Work delves deeper into local social issues. Knowledge and Inquiry explores the nature and construction of knowledge in society. Lastly, English Language and Linguistics develops the ability to analyse and study the English Language and also the skills needed as an interpreter and a producer of meaning.  

For more on the syllabus, please refer to the following link:
https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/alevel/2021syllabus/9508_y21_sy.pdf (English Language and Linguistics)

The KS Teachers are known to be fun-loving and we take great pride in the subjects that we teach, and that is because these are not just mere subjects to us. We believe that what we teach are important life skills and these subjects reflect important concerns that our society is grappling with. Knowledge of these issues is crucial as students move out into the working world.

Teacher you can speak to:

Ms Audrey Tan ([email protected]) – English Language and Linguistics

"I fell in love with ELL because of the independent research and exploration we were encouraged to do about the subject. We had a strong foundation from lectures, and teachers were supportive in letting us use assignments to experiment in applying new concepts. Our subject cohort was also very close-knit and driven about learning; it was always exciting to read sample essays that were given out after assignments because every one would have new pieces of research that our classmates had found and applied."
- Alyssa Marie Loo Li Ann 19A13A

"I cannot seem to find the words to describe the extent to which ELL has changed my life. For one, I can no longer watch a movie without analyzing the characters’ accents. On trains and buses, I study the orthographical and graphological features of every ad I see…ELL is not a subject meant to be confined to the classroom; it is all around us, in the rise and fall of our conversations, in the push and pull of human interaction. I do not think I exaggerate when I say that it was like a light going off in my mind: suddenly, I understood."
- Soh Ying Qi 18A01C