Secondary School Literature

[ChiefKiasu]

D3@n\" post_id=\"2069536\" time=\"1654268291\" user_id=\"124020:

Merchant of Venice is a classic Shakespeare play that I studied in Upper Secondary, and have been teaching for many years. I have fond memories reading it as a teenager, and enjoy teaching this book now. It is such a shame your daughter is completely resisting it. Two of my Secondary Two students are reading it this year and both are enjoying it immensely.
...

:goodpost: :goodpost:
I'm starting to remember Antonio . I think there was also a lady who dressed up as a male lawyer for Antonio... forgot her name. I must have loved it then if I can even remember it now...

[00skyblue00]

Any insight if kid is choosing between Eng Lit and Geo?

In terms of O level time table, which subj has more interval for revision between other subjects?
Geo is more popular with most students, would it be harder to score among the stronger ones?

[Liew Nga Wing]

Toomuchlaundry\" post_id=\"2069485\" time=\"1654225457\" user_id=\"197996:

Would you be able to share your thoughts on Merchant of Venice? My lower sec child has to do it this year and she is just completely resisting reading it. She keeps saying the language sounds so weird.

We also have some issues with the themes. Is Shylock a villain? Is he not a villain? We have to tread carefully here around what is considered acceptable in Shakespearean time vs today. How do we express the role of greed? Is it even greed?

I find this video in YouTube and hope it can help your child in any way.

https://youtu.be/fe3lIUF_L9o

[youtubeId]fe3lIUF_L9o[/youtubeId]

[sharonkhoo]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2069546\" time=\"1654310166\" user_id=\"143605:

Any insight if kid is choosing between Eng Lit and Geo?
In terms of O level time table, which subj has more interval for revision between other subjects?
Geo is more popular with most students, would it be harder to score among the stronger ones?

Personally, I feel the main (maybe only) factor is the child's interest and aptitude in the subject. If the child is interested, he is likely to also have the aptitude. Interval between exams and popularity may have some effect, but I think it is minimal.

[D3-n]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2069569\" time=\"1654329769\" user_id=\"28674:

Personally, I feel the main (maybe only) factor is the child's interest and aptitude in the subject. If the child is interested, he is likely to also have the aptitude. Interval between exams and popularity may have some effect, but I think it is minimal.

I agree. Don't decide on a subject based on the exam timetable.
Actually you can have the best of both worlds.
Your child can do either
1. Pure Geo
2. SS + Lit
or
1. Pure Lit
2. SS + Geo
Of course this also depends on the combinations available in that particular school.

[D3-n]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2069542\" time=\"1654306445\" user_id=\"3:

:goodpost: :goodpost:
I'm starting to remember Antonio . I think there was also a lady who dressed up as a male lawyer for Antonio... forgot her name. I must have loved it then if I can even remember it now...

Portia is her name. And yes, she has to be disguised as a man to save the day. This reflects how sexist society was back then (and to some extent, it is still very true today). Only a man can solve problems and be the hero. If you follow closely, in many of Shakespeare's plays, the females are actually the ones with more wisdom, insight and even ambition. But to execute their plans, they have to do it through a man, or to cross-dress as one.

[Zeal mummy]

D3@n\" post_id=\"2069465\" time=\"1654216163\" user_id=\"124020:

Hi Zeal Mummy,

I was never with any tuition center. I am currently teaching English & Literature in a Secondary School, and also giving private tuition for these subjects - I believe 1-1 sessions are most effective for Languages/Literature as each student's competence and style are different.

Your understanding of what a Lit student needs to do it pretty spot-on. :salute:
Some of the themes for this book are loss of individual identity, technology's control over mankind, the negative impact of mass media/censorship, knowledge is power etc.
Also prepare an analysis of the main characters like Guy, Mildred, Clarisse and Captain Beatty
It is quite a hands on process so you need to show him how to apply all these processes that you have mentioned. Knowing is one thing, but it is usually the execution that lets the student down. It is the sensitivity to the text and the application of that knowledge that determine how well the student answers the question.

The purpose of a combined Humanities, as with a combined Science is to lessen the academic load of a student without sacrificing scope. You learn half the load of the \"pure\" subject but at least get some exposure to that subject.
SS is the only compulsory subject among the combined Humanities. While some may feel that it is a waste of time, it exposes students to the world outside of their own time and space, and broadens their world view. By understanding the world they live in, they are able make more informed decisions in their live, and survive well in our global village when they grow up.
SS actually ties in very nicely with Lit as they both show us what it means to be human, and in the process shaping us to be better versions of ourselves.
If you look at the themes I mentioned for Fahrenheit, it is a book written in the 1950s, yet the themes of Knowledge/Ignorance, Technology and Power are so ever relevant in today's context.

Hope this helps

Thank you for the reply and it helps greatly!

.. Do we need to pay special attention to certain quotes too? .. For a narrative like this, are there key words/quotes too and what are some of the literary devices used?

Do you teach SS too? I was wondering if they need to relate their lit text to their SS, and vice visa? Or is it a separate “study” altogether, even though it’s combined.

Do you take primary levels or JC too?

[Zeal mummy]

D3@n\" post_id=\"2069578\" time=\"1654341614\" user_id=\"124020:

Portia is her name. And yes, she has to be disguised as a man to save the day. This reflects how sexist society was back then (and to some extent, it is still very true today). Only a man can solve problems and be the hero. If you follow closely, in many of Shakespeare's plays, the females are actually the ones with more wisdom, insight and even ambition. But to execute their plans, they have to do it through a man, or to cross-dress as one.

They need to watch Bai Feng Xi to know who is the woman and hero, today. Yeah so sexist back in their century.

[Zeal mummy]

D3@n\" post_id=\"2069577\" time=\"1654341280\" user_id=\"124020:

I agree. Don't decide on a subject based on the exam timetable.
Actually you can have the best of both worlds.
Your child can do either
1. Pure Geo
2. SS + Lit
or
1. Pure Lit
2. SS + Geo
Of course this also depends on the combinations available in that particular school.

Heard somewhere that history + SS is the more popular combination as these two are quite similar in answering techniques. Right? (I actually don’t know, hearsay)

However, if you don’t fancy history/Geography (content heavy) then SS +Lit seem to be the best choice? How do you study for SS? Any ideas? Thanks!

[Zeal mummy]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2069569\" time=\"1654329769\" user_id=\"28674:

Personally, I feel the main (maybe only) factor is the child's interest and aptitude in the subject. If the child is interested, he is likely to also have the aptitude. Interval between exams and popularity may have some effect, but I think it is minimal.

Besides the child’s interest and aptitude, if these are equal, I would look at the schools’ results for each subject. The choice is clear if 8/10 gets distinction vs 6/10 or 7/10.