Secondary School Literature

[D3-n]

John Memek\" post_id=\"2128176\" time=\"1706579159\" user_id=\"54616:[quote=\"John Memek\" post_id=2128176 time=1706579159 user_id=54616]
Hi Dean

I have sent you a PM, but not sure it went through or not.
Can you please pm me as well?
Thank you[/quote]

Hi,
Thanks for your interest.
I did not receive your PM but have sent you one as requested.
Cheers!

[zac's mum]

Hi, does anyone know if Animal Farm is being used as an O level text for the latest syllabus?

[SG_KP1]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2128829\" time=\"1707656038\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2128829 time=1707656038 user_id=53606]
Hi, does anyone know if Animal Farm is being used as an O level text for the latest syllabus?[/quote]

SEAB has the following prescribed texts (last page of each PDF, Animal Farm is not listed).

2024 O Level E Lit:
https://www-seab-gov-sg-admin.cwp.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2024syllabus/2065_y24_sy.pdf

2024 O Level SS+ELit:
https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2024syllabus/2262_y24_sy.pdf

The 2025 texts are currently the same, although an * indicates that three of the texts from both prose and drama will drop out (and presumably new texts will be added). I checked a couple of 2024 S3 booklists and the schools are using some of the prescribed texts.

I do believe I've seen Animal Farm listed as a booklist item before, but I am not 100% sure.

Someone please correct if they have more accurate information.

[zac's mum]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2128829\" time=\"1707656038\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2128829 time=1707656038 user_id=53606]
Hi, does anyone know if Animal Farm is being used as an O level text for the latest syllabus?[/quote]

Updated: i have been informed by a Lit tutor friend that Animal Farm is deemed a lower sec text (ie not for O levels)

[zac's mum]

Just for laughs:


https://www.sparknotes.com/blog/15-of-the-funniest-quotes-in-literature/

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2131406\" time=\"1711500396\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2131406 time=1711500396 user_id=53606]
Updated: i have been informed by a Lit tutor friend that Animal Farm is deemed a lower sec text (ie not for O levels) [/quote]

[Conspiracy theory here] Maybe reading it at higher levels is considered too subversive? \"They\" may have decided that it's better to let kids enjoy the surface story, and not look into the themes too deeply...

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2131407\" time=\"1711500431\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2131407 time=1711500431 user_id=53606]
Just for laughs:

https://www.sparknotes.com/blog/15-of-the-funniest-quotes-in-literature/[/quote]

A few of my favourites, but some I haven't come across!

[zac's mum]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2131410\" time=\"1711502049\" user_id=\"28674:

Maybe reading it at higher levels is considered too subversive? \"They\" may have decided that it's better to let kids enjoy the surface story, and not look into the themes too deeply...

We would have to know if other countries use it as an igcse text or not…(i didnt check).

My friend didnt tell me the reason. If i were to make a wild guess, maybe the words used arent too convoluted? There are also some straightforward characters and themes that are suited for lower sec.

My child was highly interested to read it a second time, after he got into the history of the Boxer Rebellion and the life of Lenin (?). He wanted to see if the story tracked the timelines accurately, for it to be a respectable satire. Is that not to be encouraged at upper sec? Lol…

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2131412\" time=\"1711502596\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2131412 time=1711502596 user_id=53606]
We would have to know if other countries use it as an igcse text or not…(i didnt check).

My friend didnt tell me the reason. If i were to make a wild guess, maybe the words used arent too convoluted? There are also some straightforward characters and themes that are suited for lower sec.

My child was highly interested to read it a second time, after he got into the history of the Boxer Rebellion and the life of Lenin (?). He wanted to see if the story tracked the timelines accurately, for it to be a respectable satire. Is that not to be encouraged at upper sec? Lol…[/quote]

AF is a book that can be read on many levels - as a simple story, even Pr school kids can enjoy it, and pick up a few themes. I studied it at O levels, and even at that level, our reading of it was not very deep. Reading it later as an adult, when introducing it to my kids, I saw a lot more in it. I'm sure a student studying Lit at university level would see even more in it!

I don't know how O level Lit has changed over the decades, but I certainly don't remember relating it to actual historical events in any detail.

[zac's mum]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2131413\" time=\"1711503952\" user_id=\"28674:

AF is a book that can be read on many levels - as a simple story, even Pr school kids can enjoy it, and pick up a few themes. I studied it at O levels, and even at that level, our reading of it was not very deep. Reading it later as an adult, when introducing it to my kids, I saw a lot more in it. I'm sure a student studying Lit at university level would see even more in it!

I don't know how O level Lit has changed over the decades, but I certainly don't remember relating it to actual historical events in any detail.

Interesting that we did have Animal Farm at O levels back in your time! Ok now I wonder abt any conspiracy haha.

There is a WW2 era text being used now (All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr). There are some adult themes in the book with which i am uncomfortable that 15 year olds have to read about, but hmph…