English Language
Reading → Writing → Speaking → Excellence
Communication•Literacy•Expression
"English is the gateway to understanding world literature, expressing ideas clearly, and connecting with the global community."
Programme Overview
The English Language curriculum is a comprehensive eight-level programme designed to develop foundational literacy skills and progress toward advanced academic English. Starting from phonics and early reading at age 5, students progress through confident reading and writing, develop critical thinking about texts, and finally master GCSE English Literature and Language by age 14.
At every stage, students engage with diverse texts, develop writing skills across multiple genres, and build vocabulary and grammatical understanding through meaningful, enjoyable activities.
We produce communicators who read with confidence, write with clarity, and think critically about language.
Core Progression
- Foundations (Levels 1–2)Phonics, sight words, letter recognition, and foundational reading comprehension through interactive activities.
- Core Reading (Levels 3–4)Reading fluency, expanded vocabulary, simple narrative and expository writing skills.
- Academic & Secondary EnglishComprehensive reading and writing development across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and academic genres.
- Advanced & Capstone (Levels 7–8)GCSE-level literary analysis, Shakespeare, poetry, creative writing, and examination technique.
English at a Glance
| Lvl | Age | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-6 | Phonics & Sight Words |
| 2 | 6-7 | Confident Reading & Writing |
| 3 | 7-8 | Building Confident Writers |
| 4 | 8-9 | Foundational Literacy Skills |
| 5 | 9-10 | Developing Reader Skills |
| 6 | 10-11 | Advanced Comprehension |
| 7 | 11-13 | Literary Analysis & Composition |
| 8 | 13-14 | Advanced Writing & Analysis |
Detailed Master Plans
LEVEL 1 - Phonics & Early Reading
Phonics & Early Reading
Ages 5-6
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2-3 Sessions/Week | 30-40 Min/Session
Aim: To introduce students to phonics, letter recognition, basic sight words, and the joy of reading through interactive games, storytelling, and hands-on activities.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letter Recognition | Identify all 26 letters, uppercase and lowercase |
| 2 | Phonetic Sounds | Understand letter sounds and phoneme combinations |
| 3 | Sight Words | Recognize and read common high-frequency words (the, is, at, etc.) |
| 4 | Simple CVC Words | Read consonant-vowel-consonant patterns (cat, dog, run) |
| 5 | Rhyming & Rhythm | Identify rhyming words, clap syllables, nursery rhymes |
| 6 | Story Comprehension | Answer simple questions about short stories read aloud |
| 7 | Alphabet Writing | Trace and write letters correctly |
| 8 | Simple Sentences | Read and understand simple 3-4 word sentences |
LEVEL 2 - Building Blocks to Reading
Building Blocks to Reading
Ages 6-7
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 40 Min/Session
Aim: To develop fluency in reading, introduce beginning writing skills, expand vocabulary, and build comprehension through diverse texts and writing exercises.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blending & Digraphs | Blend sounds into words (ch, sh, th, ng) |
| 2 | Word Families | Recognize patterns and rhyme families (at, et, og families) |
| 3 | Reading Fluency | Read decodable texts with growing accuracy and speed |
| 4 | Vocabulary Expansion | Learn new words in context from picture books |
| 5 | Sentence Structure | Understand subject-verb, simple sentence construction |
| 6 | Story Retelling | Retell stories with beginning, middle, and end |
| 7 | Writing Letters & Words | Write simple words and copy sentences |
| 8 | Listening & Speaking | Follow directions, express ideas in complete sentences |
LEVEL 3 - Confident Readers & Writers
Confident Readers & Young Authors
Ages 7-8
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 45 Min/Session
Aim: To establish reading confidence, introduce varied text types, develop writing skills from sentences to paragraphs, and enhance vocabulary and comprehension.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading Different Genres | Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, simple informational texts |
| 2 | Phonics Mastery | Advanced phonetic patterns, silent letters, irregular words |
| 3 | Vocabulary Development | Synonyms, antonyms, context clues, word definitions |
| 4 | Comprehension Skills | Predict, summarize, identify main idea and details |
| 5 | Writing Sentences | Construct complete sentences with capitals and periods |
| 6 | Paragraph Writing | Write 2-3 sentence paragraphs on familiar topics |
| 7 | Grammar Foundations | Nouns, verbs, adjectives, simple tenses |
| 8 | Public Speaking | Present ideas, answer questions, read aloud with expression |
LEVEL 4 - Fluent Readers & Young Authors
Fluent Readers & Young Authors
Ages 8-9
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 45 Min/Session
Aim: To develop deeper reading comprehension, introduce multi-paragraph writing, expand grammar understanding, and foster a love of literature through chapter books.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapter Books | Read and comprehend age-appropriate chapter books |
| 2 | Inference & Analysis | Make inferences, identify theme, analyze character motivation |
| 3 | Literary Devices | Understand simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole |
| 4 | Paragraph Structure | Topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion |
| 5 | Writing Narratives | Write short stories with setting, characters, plot |
| 6 | Descriptive Writing | Use sensory details, vivid adjectives, strong verbs |
| 7 | Grammar & Mechanics | Compound sentences, punctuation, apostrophes, contractions |
| 8 | Research Skills | Find information, take notes, create simple reports |
LEVEL 5 - Critical Readers & Proficient Writers
Critical Readers & Proficient Writers
Ages 9-10
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 50 Min/Session
Aim: To develop critical thinking about texts, strengthen composition skills, introduce expository and persuasive writing, and expand knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Text Analysis | Distinguish fact from opinion, evaluate sources, identify bias |
| 2 | Expository Writing | How-to, explanatory essays, structured paragraphs |
| 3 | Persuasive Writing | Write persuasive essays with claims and evidence |
| 4 | Narrative Development | Complex storylines, character development, dialogue |
| 5 | Complex Grammar | Complex sentences, subordinate clauses, conjunctions |
| 6 | Vocabulary Mastery | Root words, prefixes, suffixes, word relationships |
| 7 | Spelling & Conventions | Master challenging spellings, proper punctuation, formatting |
| 8 | Research & Citations | Gather sources, organize information, create bibliographies |
LEVEL 6 - Advanced Reading Comprehension
Advanced Secondary English
Ages 10-11
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 50 Min/Session
Aim: To deepen literary analysis, refine writing across multiple genres, master complex grammar, and develop academic reading and writing skills.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Literature | Analyze themes, symbolism, author's purpose, tone |
| 2 | Fiction & Poetry | Understand structure, rhyme schemes, narrative techniques |
| 3 | Non-Fiction Mastery | Reading comprehension, extracting key information from texts |
| 4 | Academic Writing | Essays, reports, structured arguments with evidence |
| 5 | Advanced Mechanics | Complex punctuation, semicolons, colons, dashes |
| 6 | Vocabulary Expansion | Etymology, context, nuanced word choice |
| 7 | Research Projects | Conduct research, synthesize sources, write documented essays |
| 8 | Speaking & Debate | Present arguments, engage in discussions, formal presentations |
LEVEL 7 - Secondary English — GCSE/KS4 Foundations
Secondary English Foundations
Ages 11-13
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 55 Min/Session
Aim: To prepare for GCSE English Literature and Language, analyzing complex texts, refining persuasive and analytical writing, and mastering formal academic English.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shakespeare Introduction | Read and analyze key scenes, understand historical context |
| 2 | Literary Analysis | Analyze character, setting, plot, themes, and literary devices |
| 3 | Reading Non-Fiction | Analyze structure, style, persuasive techniques, tone |
| 4 | Writing Essays | Multi-paragraph essays with thesis, evidence, analysis |
| 5 | Persuasive Techniques | Rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos, logos, emotive language |
| 6 | Standard English Grammar | Complex clauses, voice (active/passive), mood, tense |
| 7 | GCSE Preparation | Answer exam-style questions, time management, essay planning |
| 8 | Vocabulary for GCSE | Academic terminology, precise word choices, sophisticated language |
LEVEL 8 - GCSE English Literature & Language Excellence
GCSE English Excellence
Ages 13-14
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 60 Min/Session
Aim: To achieve excellence in GCSE English Literature and Language, master textual analysis, produce sophisticated writing, and develop critical thinking skills.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shakespeare & Drama | Deep textual analysis, performance interpretation, examiner-style answers |
| 2 | Poetry Anthology | Compare poems, identify themes, analyze poetic devices expertly |
| 3 | 19th Century Novels | Analyze historical fiction, characterization, social context |
| 4 | Modern Texts | Explore contemporary literature, cultural context, diverse perspectives |
| 5 | Analytical Essays | Develop sophisticated arguments, integrate quotations seamlessly |
| 6 | Creative Writing | Narrative, descriptive, and transactional writing at GCSE level |
| 7 | Speaking & Listening | Present arguments orally, engage in formal discussions, debate |
| 8 | GCSE Exam Technique | Time management, question analysis, mark maximization strategies |