English Language and Literature

1. About Us

The English Language and Literature Department at Peirce Secondary School is committed to developing students into confident and effective communicators with a strong foundation in reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing.

Through varied and engaging learning experiences, students learn to question, interpret, collaborate and communicate with purpose. They are encouraged to consider different perspectives, express their ideas with confidence and take increasing ownership of their learning.

2. The English Language Experience

English Language learning at Peirce extends beyond written assignments and examinations. Students are given varied opportunities to speak, collaborate, question, create and apply language in authentic contexts, building confidence and adaptability to communicate effectively.

Speak. Present. Lead.

The classroom provides a platform for students to develop their voice. Through presentations and student-led learning, students communicate ideas to their peers, respond to questions and grow in confidence as speakers. Flipped classroom opportunities also place students in the role of the teacher, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning and communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

Students with an interest and aptitude in public speaking may also represent the school at competitions such as the Orator's Trophy and the YMCA Plain English-Speaking Awards (PESA).

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Debate. Defend. Persuade.

Before embarking on argumentative writing, Secondary Three students put argument into action through classroom debates. They examine contemporary issues, consider opposing perspectives and learn to build, defend and challenge arguments.

In doing so, students sharpen the critical thinking, reasoning and persuasive skills they later bring to their writing.

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Read. Discover. Connect.

Library-based lessons give students opportunities to explore texts beyond the syllabus, discover different genres and make independent reading choices.

Through reading, discussion and response, students encounter new ideas and perspectives while developing greater confidence in engaging with a range of texts.

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Words at Play

Language learning can be playful too. Through English-related board games, word challenges and collaborative activities, students expand their vocabulary, experiment with language and communicate strategically with their peers.

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The Great English Race sees students work in teams and race against time to complete a series of language-based challenges, putting their English language, communication and problem-solving skills to the test.

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A highlight is Pun & Games, held during the school's annual Experiential Learning Week. Through interactive challenges and wordplay, students think on their feet, use English creatively and discover the possibilities of language through play.

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Learning with Technology

Technology is used purposefully to make learning more interactive, collaborative and responsive. Digital platforms enable students to exchange ideas, receive timely feedback, reflect on their progress and take greater ownership of their learning.

3. Literature: Beyond the Page

Literature learning at Peirce extends beyond the page. Through prose, poetry and drama, students learn to read closely, question assumptions, explore different perspectives and develop thoughtful interpretations of texts and the world around them.

Discussion, performance, creative response and experiential learning give students the confidence to develop their own voice while remaining open to the interpretations of others.

The Verse Voyage: Traversing Tiong Bahru's Tapestry

Against the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Tiong Bahru, students explore the relationship between poetry, place and perspective. As they journey through the neighbourhood, they draw inspiration from its sights, stories and spaces to interpret and respond to poetry in meaningful ways.

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Pages in the Park

Literature learning moves beyond the classroom as Secondary One students take their study of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

Through collaborative activities and text-based challenges, students explore the novel in a fresh setting, bringing Literature to life beyond the page.

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Peirce in Verse

Armed with a Poetry Passport, students explore familiar spaces around Peirce and transform their observations into original poetry.

As they experiment with forms such as haiku, students discover new ways of seeing — and writing about — the school environment around them.

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From Page to Stage

Through live theatre experiences, students see how stories are transformed for the stage. They examine how performance, staging, movement, lighting and sound shape meaning, deepening their appreciation of drama as both text and performance.

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Literature Reimagined: Alternative Assessment

Literature learning takes on new forms through Alternative Assessment, where students demonstrate their understanding of literary texts in creative and meaningful ways.

Through tasks that move beyond the traditional written response, students interpret texts, make purposeful creative choices and communicate their understanding to an audience. In the process, they apply their knowledge of character, theme and literary ideas while developing confidence in expressing their own interpretations.

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Literature in Action: National Schools Literature Festival

Students have opportunities to represent Peirce Secondary School at the National Schools Literature Festival (NSLF), where they engage with Literature students from schools across Singapore. Through events such as Book Trailer and Choral Speaking, students interpret literary works creatively, collaborate with their peers and communicate their ideas confidently to an audience.

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Literature Learning Experiences

Within the classroom, students experience Literature through discussion, dramatisation, hot-seating, debate, poetry analysis, presentations and creative responses.

These experiences encourage students to read closely, think independently, substantiate their ideas and engage thoughtfully with different perspectives.

Secondary One Literature Texts

• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief — Rick Riordan

• Little Things: An Anthology of Poetry — edited by Loh Chin Ee, Angelia Poon and Esther Vincent

Secondary Two Literature Texts

• Frankenstein — adapted by Philip Pullman

Little Things: An Anthology of Poetry(second edition) — edited by Loh Chin Ee, Angelia Poon and Esther Vincent