Findings

Analysis

There was an increased awareness of how to learn content subjects through English.

Based on the research findings of the VA project, it was found that students had a better understanding that the integration of language and content is conducive to their learning in academic subjects. Through vocabulary building and content reading and writing, students were more aware of how to use different strategies to support their acquisition of content subject knowledge through English.

Students’ thinking skills and the applications of subject specific knowledge were enhanced.

The school’s curriculum across subjects is organised according to knowledge structures (e.g. compare and contrast). With the use of authentic information texts and graphic organisers, students were able to develop their thinking skills and apply the knowledge structures and language learned in subject-specific context.

Findings

Analysis

There was an increased awareness of how to develop students’ academic literacy.

Through adopting different approaches to increase students’ language exposure in different KLAs, teachers have become more aware of the importance of infusing English into the content subjects to strengthen students’ language ability.

There was stronger collaboration among teachers of different KLAs.

With the support of the LAC committee, teachers of different subjects were able to exchange ideas and experiences through cross-curricular planning, in-house staff meetings and informal discussions. This helped them gain a better understanding of the language needs of the different KLAs and understand the challenges involved in promoting better language use across the curriculum.

Teachers’ professional knowledge & skills on LAC were enhanced.

With the adoption of the “Train the trainer approach” and the positive experiences generated from last year’s pilot project, the school was able to transfer the knowledge and skills from one subject to more subjects and from one level to more levels.