English Language & Literature

Overview

The EL and Literature Department aims to develop every Kent Ridgean as a life-long inquirer, an empathetic communicator and a passionate learner of Language and Literature.

Customised Curriculum and Holistic Assessment
Our EL alternative assessments have been planned for students to develop a range of skills over the course of three years. Students experience the joy of learning while creating video or podcast, and conducting interviews for their projects.

Student-Centric Pedagogy
Students learn through Writing as a Process to develop metacognitive awareness in their writing. They learn collaboratively using their Personal Learning Devices (PLDs), tapping on ICT tools such as SLS, Google Classroom, Kami and Padlet. The department also harnesses AI tools to further support students' learning, from generating ideas to refining their writing.

E21CC Lessons and Awards 
Our Department has collaborated to design a meaningful set of lessons that help students articulate and apply the E21CC in their learning. Through these lessons, students are also encouraged to reflect on how the E21CC has helped them and how they can further improve.

The ELL Department E21CC Award recognises students for consistently displaying strong communicative skills, demonstrating inventive thinking, and working effectively with others, embodying the values and competencies needed to thrive beyond the classroom.

Department Programmes - Talent Development Programme

Reading Programme
To improve our students' language proficiency, we cultivate the habit of reading through various reading events and by having our students subscribe to educational magazines such as Beyond and iThink. Subscriptions are tailored to students' levels of need, and the magazines are closely aligned to the English Language syllabus to equip students with essential reading and writing skills. Our Secondary 3 students also have the opportunity to enhance their awareness of current affairs through their digital subscription to The Straits Times IN section. 

To further enthuse our students in reading, we organise reading events such as Blind Date with a Book, and have invited popular local authors, including Felix Cheong and Neil Humphreys, to give talks to our students in 2026. Our Reading Champions are also currently participating in the Page to Pitch trailer competition and preparing for the Librarians of the Future Summit 2026 at the end of the year.

KR Creative Writers
Each year, some of our aspiring writers take part in creative writing competitions too. Not only did our students broaden their exposure, but they also strived to do their best and hone their skills in expressing their ideas. Our students have won various awards, including the Top Prize in the 2025 National Live On Festival Writing Competition, and also awards in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competitions. They have also received recognition in the 2025 Singapore Writers’ Festival (Snippets of the Future).

KR Student Ambassadors

Our students are given opportunities to further pursue their interest in and participate in external competitions to hone their language skills. Students have participated in public speaking competitions such as the YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA), the ACJC Orator's Trophy as well as the National Public Speaking Competition. Students have also taken on roles such as emcees for school events like 'KR Speaks!' and 'Vivace!', as well as the prestigious 'National School Games Closing Ceremony and Colours Award', honing their command of language and stage presence before a live audience. Beyond this, Student Ambassadors also serve as ushers for the school's Open House, further developing their communication skills through engaging with guests and visitors.

Our students under the Talent Development Programme visited Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Film and Media Studies. There, they explored the worlds of broadcasting and journalism, gaining a hands-on look at how stories are shaped and told. It was an eye-opening experience that gave them a real taste of media and communications beyond the classroom.

Department Programme - KR Speaks! 
KR Speaks 2026 is our inaugural lower secondary public speaking competition, organised by our department. Open to Secondary 1 and 2 students, the competition aims to promote public speaking as a key social and academic skill, developing students' E21CC competency in Communication. It also provides students with a platform to sharpen their ideas, build confidence and learn from proficient speakers, fostering Inventive Thinking and Self-Directed Learning.

Department Programme - Secondary 3 Inter-Class Debate
Each year, the Secondary 3 Inter-Class Debate returns as a highlight of Experiential Week. Students face off in a spirited contest of ideas, wit, and conviction. Every class fields a team of speakers, and they rise to the challenge with poise. Their motions are met with well-researched arguments and sharp rebuttals.

Literature

Encouraging a Creative and Critical Appreciation of Texts

Secondary 1 Literature: Poetry Writing

Secondary 2 Literature: Play Dramatisation

National School’s Literature Festival 2026
Our Literature students enjoyed learning and making new friends at the National Schools Literature Festival (NSLF) 2026. The Secondary 2 Literature students came dressed as characters from a play and put up a lively book parade. For their engaging presentation and informative display, they were rewarded with Silver Award. The Secondary 3 and Secondary 4 students debated passionately over motions about unseen poems, then shared their views at the Set Text Roundtable discussions. It was an event that brought their love of Literature to life.

Our Secondary 4 Literature students took part in a drama workshop centred on Jean Tay's Everything But The Brain. The instructor introduced them to the Brechtian techniques that shape the play, unpacking how these devices work on stage and why Tay uses them. The students were thoroughly engaged throughout, and they came away having learnt a great deal about the craft.