English

JOY OF LEARNING, JOY OF TEACHING

Mission

To empower & develop students to be confident, empathetic and effective communicators.

FRAMEWORK & PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES

Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading (STELLAR 2.0)

In Yumin, we adopt the recommended STELLAR 2.0 programme which helps to strengthen students’ language skills in areas of reading, listening, speaking and writing.

Some of the strategies used in the lower primary classrooms include Shared Book Approach (SBA) and Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA). As students progress up the levels, teachers reinforce the learning of language skills through Supported Reading (SR) and Know-Want to know-Learnt (KWL).

MOE Programmes
These programmes aim to support students in their learning of literacy skills.

KEY PROGRAMMES & LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Our programmes and learning experiences support the development of emerging 21^st Century Competencies which include critical, adaptive and inventive thinking, and communication, collaboration and information skills.

Book Character's Day
Every year, students and staff look forward to a particular day where they bring characters from their favourite books to life, dressing up and sharing about these characters with each other. These certainly add even more colour and vibrancy to the typical school day. We were even featured on MOE Facebook!

Yumin Communicators Programme
Speech and Drama, Storytelling, Broadcast Journalism and Poetry Appreciation are key components of the Yumin Communicators Programme, which develops students’ confidence and ability to communicate effectively through spoken language.

The Yumin Communicators Programme is part of the school’s Arts Education Programme (AEP). Through this programme, students build strong communication skills and apply them in meaningful and authentic contexts. For example, they use their language and performance skills in activities such as storytelling showcases, dramatic performances and student-led broadcasting.

The Arts Education Programme is a collaborative effort between the English Department and the Aesthetics and Physical Education Department. This partnership provides students with opportunities to integrate language, creativity and performance, allowing them to express ideas confidently and engage audiences through the arts.

Speech and Drama Programme
The Speech and Drama Programme provides opportunities for Primary 1 and Primary 2 students to develop confidence in speaking and performing while strengthening their communication skills.

In Primary 1, students are introduced to expressive reading through activities such as choral reading, readers’ theatre and poetry recitation. Over several weeks of guided training, students learn to read with clear pronunciation, appropriate pacing and expressive intonation while working collaboratively with their peers.

In Primary 2, students further develop their performance skills through drama activities that focus on voice projection, expression and stage presence. Integrated into the English Language curriculum, the programme culminates in showcases presented to a live audience at the end of the 12-week programme.

Through these experiences, students build confidence in using their voices, develop teamwork and gain opportunities to express themselves creatively through performance.

Storytelling Programme

Our Storytelling Programme is meticulously designed for our Primary 3 students to foster their writing and speaking skills. Students explore the rich elements of storytelling, including story structure, character development and plot development. Through engaging activities in both classroom and theatrette settings, students learn to express themselves in Standard English, both vocally and physically. Students practise presenting stories confidently, enhancing their narrative delivery and communication skills in a supportive environment.

Broadcast Journalism Programme

The Broadcast Journalism Programme is designed to equip Primary 4 students with essential communication and media skills. The curriculum covers a range of activities, from interviewing techniques to crafting engaging news reports, all tailored to enhance students’ communication skills. Students apply their learning in authentic contexts through individual and collaborative projects that build confidence and critical thinking. This hands-on approach ensures that students not only learn the techniques but also understand their practical applications in the field of broadcast journalism.

Poetry Appreciation Programme

The Poetry Appreciation Programme is designed for Primary 5 and Primary 6 students to deepen their understanding of poetry while developing confidence in oral performance.

In Primary 5, students explore the features that bring poetry to life. Through engaging lessons, they learn to recognise and appreciate poetic devices such as imagery, similes, metaphors, rhyme, rhythm, repetition and alliteration. Students also develop performance techniques including pacing, intonation and expression as they practise presenting poems aloud.

In Primary 6, students extend their learning by analysing poems more deeply and experimenting with poetic language. They apply their understanding of poetic devices to craft their own original poems before presenting them to an audience. This process encourages creativity, critical thinking and expressive communication.

Through the programme, students learn to appreciate the beauty of language while developing the confidence to perform and share their ideas through poetry.

Primary 1 and Primary 2 Theatre Experience

The P1 and P2 Theatre Experience is a signature programme designed to ignite a love for the English language through the power of live performance. By witnessing professional actors in action, students gain firsthand exposure to articulate speech, expressive body language, and confident voice projection. These excursions serve as an inspiring "masterclass," helping our young learners understand how to use their voices and physicality to communicate ideas with clarity, emotion, and poise.

This immersive experience directly supports our school’s Speech and Drama modules, where students refine their own performance skills in preparation for a special school showcase. Beyond developing stage presence, the programme also instils essential theatre etiquette, fostering a sense of respect and appreciation for the arts. Ultimately, the school aim to build the self-assurance students need to perform proudly for their parents and peers, blossoming into expressive and confident communicators.

Just Ants - An Immersive "Shared Experience"
The Primary 1 English programme brings the STELLAR framework to life through the Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA). To provide a rich foundation for literacy, the school hosted Just Ants for an immersive in-school experience. Our young learners moved beyond textbooks to observe live ant colonies firsthand, sparking "Shared Talk" where they mastered new vocabulary and explored the fascinating world of these industrious insects together.

This hands-on discovery culminates in purposeful writing as students craft heartfelt letters to their loved ones. By sharing the surprising facts they have learnt, our students transform their observations into an authentic act of communication. This process does more than teach grammar; it empowers our Primary 1 pupils to see themselves as confident authors, eager to share their learning journey with those who matter most.

External Competitions

Mythos (Junior Orators) Storytelling Competition
This competition, which is conducted by the Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) Debate and Oratorical Society, is conducted annually. It allows students the opportunity to hone their speaking skills, and participants have gone on to become passionate and articulate speakers. Participants submit videos of themselves storytelling, and some of our Yumin Champions have emerged in the Top 5 positions! 

Moo-O Plus

The Moo-O Plus competition is an annual event that aims to cultivate in students, the love for the English Language, and motivate them to read and speak fluently and expressively in English through fun and engaging activities.

PESA
The YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) is a national competition organised by YMCA of Singapore, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Speak Good English Movement. An annual competition, PESA promotes public speaking in Plain English and provides a platform for students to hone their oratorical skills and cultivate confidence in public speaking.

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