English Language & Literature

Discover how NBSS's English Department builds confident communicators and critical thinkers. Students take part in real-world tasks, enrichment programmes, and literary events that develop their language skills.

Last updated 24 August 2026

Department Objectives

At NBSS, the English Department cultivates confident communicators and critical thinkers through an engaging and authentic curriculum. Each year, Navalites participate in real-world tasks such as producing food vlogs, creating podcasts, and engaging in debates. The thematically linked units of work and the 3E approach to enrichment programmes expose Navalites to diverse issues and develop them to be critical thinkers, empathetic listeners and effective communicators.

Table listing school competitions, enrichment programmes, and authentic learning experiences for Embrace, Engage, and Excel levels.

A group of students and teachers posing indoors, holding trophies and smiling in a school library setting.

Three uniformed students study together at a table in a library, writing on papers with a tablet nearby.

Learning Journeys and Enrichment Opportunities

Beyond the classroom, learning journeys deepen students’ understanding of language and society. Secondary Three students visit Little India to explore the challenges faced by migrant workers, gaining insights through an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Social Studies and Citizenship Education team.

A large group of students in blue uniforms pose outdoors near a colorful mural building and Dhaka Restaurant sign.

Programmes such as Grammar Around the School refine language skills by addressing common grammar and academic writing challenges. To encourage creative expression, the department organises an Intra-school Narrative Writing Competition and submits student entries to national competitions, including the Creative Arts Programme and Live On! Writing Competition. Selected works are published in Ink and Inspiration, celebrating students' literary talents.

Literature Unit

Literature comes alive through immersive experiences. The biennial Get Lit! festival engages lower secondary students with interactive activities such as Escape Rooms and puzzles. Upper Secondary students expand their literary appreciation by attending live performances at venues like the Victoria Theatre, where they engage with directors and performers.

A large group of students in dark blue uniforms pose on steps before a white colonial building with a standing statue.

Two people in Harry Potter costumes browse books at a table in a large indoor hall.

To foster a strong reading culture, Reading Ambassadors lead initiatives such as book talks, movie screenings, and craft sessions, inspiring their peers while honing their confidence.

Through these initiatives, the English Department empowers Navalites with the skills to communicate effectively, think critically, and develop a lifelong appreciation for language and literature.