Bringing expert guest presenters into the PGDE (Literature) classroom

Preparing teachers to teach English Literature includes preparing them for a constantly evolving teaching landscape, which includes how they can attend to the needs of SEN students, the application of artificial intelligence in schools and the focus in schools on holistic education.

To address these concerns, the PGDE (Lit) students had special guest educators in their classroom last semester. Ms Ritchell Choong, a Senior Behaviour Coach from the Psychological Services Branch, Special Educational Needs Division spoke to us about how we can scaffold our pedagogy, assessment and, even classroom management, to the physical, sensory, socio-behavioural learning needs of our students. A former Literature teacher herself, Ritchell presented a similar session with her colleague, Ms Clare Yip, Senior Educational Psychologist, in 2024. HOD English of Crescent Girls’ School, Ms Chng Woei Ling, brought her team with her to tell us how CGS uses AI for assessment purposes and to alleviate teacher workload. CGS was selected as one of the pioneer FutureSchools@Singapore in 2007.

As a FutureSchool, CGS also became a Microsoft Mentor School, sharing its expertise with other schools globally. Some of the students were keen to learn more and the CGS team graciously met them on Zoom to field their queries. Lastly, HOD School Staff Developer at Clementi Town Secondary School, Ms Valane Tnee, inspired our students with how she has used drama in the holistic education of her students. Valane has been writing, directing and producing a musical with her students for the past 18 years. She was also awarded the Inspiring English/Literature Teacher Award at the inaugural Asian Women Writers' Festival organized by IndiaSe. Such sessions serve to provide professional expertise and practical experience to our students as they prepare to go for their practicum and to enter the teaching fraternity.