Applied Learning Programme

Developing Confidence and Curiosity through Effective Communication

English Applied Learning Programme (ALP): Effective Communication

The ALP aims to address the increasing trend in the use of media as a platform of communication in the 21st century. Through the three-year progressive programmes, students will hone their speaking and writing skills via various platforms to be confident communicators. At Mayflower, Effective Communication (EC) focuses on equipping students with lifelong skills via language learning. As a school, we believe in providing a myriad of opportunities for all students to develop their communicative skills in everyday, real life situations. The EC provides plenty of authentic learning experiences for our students to enable them to acquire both creative and critical thinking skills. The English Department and the Mother Tongue are the main drivers of the EC organised level-wide programmes.

The EL department organises programmes such as Speech and Drama, Journalism and Broadcast, Debates and Public Presentations for all the levels both within their EL curriculum and beyond the curriculum as enrichment programmes. ALP experiences are anchored on EL learning outcomes and focus on the learning beyond that of the classroom. During the ALP sessions, students reflect upon the importance of voice, visualisation and perspectives in storytelling and news reporting, thereby becoming effective communicators. The sessions also provide students with hands-on experiences such as script writing, speech presentations and journalistic news reports. Students are also exposed to impromptu presentations and explored ‘unknown’ elements in real-life reporting and storytelling that required them to think on their feet and respond critically. On some occasions, there are also opportunities presented to EL ALP students to showcase their talent during assemblies and lunch time. Such presentations are usually received with much excitement and buzz by their peers. The EL ALP Tier 2 students are encouraged to participate in competitions beyond the school such as PESA, ACJC Debate Series and Toastmasters sessions. The learning in these workshops are undoubtedly very enriching and exciting for students.

Mother Tongue Applied Learning Programme (ALP): Effective Communication

The MTL ALP aims to provide authentic learning experiences, riding on the foundation of language skills taught in EL ALP, based on the students’ interests. The learning experiences are customised based on the profile and interests of the students, by providing them different platforms and opportunities to use the MT languages and code switch to apply the skills taught in EL ALP.

Tier 1 Programme

• Secondary 1: Reading Programme

• Secondary 2: Speech and Drama

• Secondary 3: Journalism and Broadcasting

Tier 2 Programme

• Recital Training

• Translation Skills

• Debate Skills

There is a swivel effect where the Secondary 1 students learn Speech & Drama skills for their EL ALP and in Secondary 2 have opportunities to express it in MT in a different context. Similarly, the Secondary 2 students learn basic skills of Journalism & Broadcasting and apply it in the current affairs using MT in Sec 3. The focus for our Secondary 1 students will be on reading skills related to rhetoric and characterization. Customising to the interests and profile of Sec 1 NA & NT students, the programme will focus on students learning storyboarding via hands-on activities. By creating their own story, they learn logical thinking and dialogue writing (different forms of effective communication).

For Talent Development, students with interest and aptitude are encouraged to sign up for the different masterclasses organised by the MT department. For students who are interested in levelling up their language skills in translation (Chinese to English, vice-versa) and debate (in Chinese Language and Malay Language), we have the translation and debate training workshops where students learn the basic techniques of translation and debating using their MT languages. Students taking Chinese Language will also be engaged in a series of mind-twisting translation challenges in our annual MTL Fortnight Cultural Camp. Students also participated in translation and debate competitions.

Our text recital workshops help Sec 1 & 2 HCL students explore the voice techniques and promote their reading and oral competency. The trainings include different reciting styles, methods and techniques, from learning how to project their voices across a stage to conveying emotion on cue. Selected students will then participate in the National Recital Competition, practising the skills they learnt in class. We also appoint 2 Malay Language students as Malay Language Ambassadors for Rakan Bahasa every year. Through this exposure, our Malay Language Ambassadors are able to spread their love for the Malay Language by being role models to their family and peers. They are also able to enrich the lives of others through creative expression and usage of the Malay Language. Our Malay Ambassadors are given opportunities to undergo confidence-building and public speaking skills training. With these, they are given opportunities in school to promote activities related to the Malay Language.