Monday, January 17, 2022
We’re off to a productive start for the new year in Secondary English! Learning online during the pandemic certainly comes with challenges, but ACEP secondary students have adapted well to the online classroom environment. In fact, online learning does have some special advantages as well.
Year 9 students have had the opportunity engage in one-on-one speaking sessions with their Foundation English teacher. The speaking sessions have allowed the teacher to assess each student’s individual language learning needs. Furthermore, the sessions have provided the students with critical speaking practice in preparation for future speaking exams and interviews. The core Foundation English curriculum is easily adaptable to online learning. We have the digital resources to continue instruction, including online course books replete with supplemental multimedia content to make it more engaging.
Year 10 Communication Arts students are taking a course called Public Speaking and Presentation. Students have completed a series of speaking and presentation activities designed to enhance their confidence and general ability to speak clearly and persuasively in front of an audience. Their next project will include a “Shark Tank” style presentation, in which they will ‘pitch’ a new product, business, or branding idea. Such a project will require them to employ persuasive language with clear, well-organized speech. It can be daunting to speak in front of an audience (even a small one), and I’m very proud of the work they’ve done so far.
Students have been busy in Mr. John Stillie’s classes too! His Year 9 Reading and Writing students have had the pleasure of reading excellent works of short fiction such as “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury. They have also been flexing their writing muscles each week with a variety of tasks connected to their reading materials. They are challenged to think critically and deeply and to explain their ideas clearly. Meanwhile in Year 10, Mr. John’s students are beginning to ramp up Academic English skills in preparation for IELTS and university study in general. All in all, we do hope to see full classes of students on campus soon. But in the meantime, we will continue to use our ample digital resources to deliver quality education.
Text written by Mr. Douglas Mulvaney
