English
The English Department contributes to the personal development of each boy by helping to foster his intellectual growth and ensuring that he is able to use his full ability in the whole range of English skills. This should not only ensure that he is able to pass examinations but that he will also have the language and communication skills to enable him to cope with the demands of other academic subjects. He should also be well prepared to take on and enjoy greater responsibilities and interests.
Speaking and Listening
At all levels, English lessons foster positive attitudes towards speaking and listening skills and include activities such as describing, narrating, informing, planning, problem-solving, discussing, debating, persuading, speculating and summarizing.
Reading
Our main aim is for boys to view reading as a pleasurable experience. We see reading as a means of developing thinking and learning rather than as an isolated and separate skill.
Parents are expected to take an active involvement from an early stage to support their sons as they become independent readers. In the Lower First and First Years reading is set every evening; later, reading homework is set less frequently but boys are expected to read for at least half an hour every evening in addition to their homework.
During their Colet Court career boys are introduced to novels, short stories, plays and poems from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries, as well as some of the works of Shakespeare.
English teachers regularly set aside time during lessons to discuss literature with the boys. These sessions not only provide an opportunity for mutual recommendation, but also help to instil the desire to widen boys' reading experiences. In addition, all boys are given a list of recommended reading each year to help guide their choices from school and public libraries.
Writing
Our overall aim in this area is to develop the ability to:
write for a range of purposes and audiences
organise written material appropriately
distinguish between different types of writing
use spelling, punctuation and syntax correctly
appreciate the differences between writing and speech.
Boys are taught to recognize the importance of writing as a means of communication. Activities include the writing of stories, poems, diaries, newspaper articles, letters, instructions, reviews, essays and play scripts.
Language Study
Formal language skills (including spelling, punctuation and grammar) are taught throughout the school and reinforced regularly so that boys apply them in context.
Other activities
Drama forms an integral part of English lessons at all levels.
The annual school magazine ('The Coletine') provides an opportunity for boys to see their writing in published form.
