OUR ENGLISH STRATEGY
When putting in an equal amount of effort, why do students achieve different results from their peers, or when compared with their past results?
Questions often asked by Parents
Our approach focuses on cultivating Critical Thinking.
In the language domain, Critical Thinking can be developed through Critical Reading and Critical Writing. The mastery of these two skills translates directly to top English results in exams.
When putting in an equal amount of effort, why do students achieve different results from their peers?
What is the secret to consistently score high marks for Comprehension?
How can your child build a strong foundation for grammar?
How do current affairs help your child with writing and oral exams?
Is there a way to consistently ace English exams?
Critical Reading and Writing
Reading and writing are indispensable and interconnected processes in language development. Reading is needed to receive information, taken as a form of INPUT, while writing is a productive exercise that is considered OUTPUT.
Credits: This framework is an adaptation and synthesis of Paul and Elder’s theory on Critical Thinking, and books on Critical Reading and Critical Writing.
Critical Reading
According to research conducted by gurus of critical thinking, Professors Richard Paul and Linda Elder, there are four levels of Critical Reading.
Here is how each level helps our students score in the English exams.
Primary
Comprehension
Open-ended (Compre OE)
Secondary
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Summary
Junior College
SAQ
Summary
Primary
Compre OE
Cloze Passage
Visual Text Compre (VTC)
Oral: Stimulus-based Conversation (SBC)
Secondary
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Summary
Visual Text Compre (VTC)
Reading assignments across subjects
Junior College
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Summary
Application Question (AQ)
Reading assignments across subjects
Primary
Compre OE
Cloze Passage
Secondary
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Reading assignments across subjects
Junior College
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Reading assignments across subjects
Primary
Compre OE: Evaluative Question
Secondary
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Reading assignments across subjects
Junior College
Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
Application Question (AQ)
Reading assignments across subjects
Without deep understanding of the comprehension texts, no amount of highlighting and underlining will help your child breakthrough their limitations in Comprehension.
They MUST understand what they read in order to answer the questions clearly and accurately. We set your mind at ease because we are able to teach them these critical reading skills.
Critical Writing
Professors Paul and Elder highlight two important skills that are fundamental to Critical Writing.
They are substantive writing and reflective writing. Through the development of multiple drafts with our teachers, students are able to improve their plot, characters, and arguments.
Substantive Writing helps students focus on the purpose of the writing task (e.g., to persuade, to entertain, to report etc). The right purpose will help students use the appropriate tone and vocabulary to meet their writing goals.
Reflective Writing involves developing students’ ability to evaluate their own writing by asking these questions:
“How good is my writing?”
“How can I improve in my next draft?”
“How do I seek help?”
Hear What Some Our Parents Say
Don't just take it from us!
Grew More Confident
“Benjamin enjoys each lesson tremendously and finds that topics discussed during lessons have improved his general knowledge. He has also grown more confident.”
Parent of Benjamin, Primary 5
Always Looking Forward to Lessons
“Emily enjoys going for class every week. Dr Chua makes the learning process fun and interesting that Emily enjoys being taught by him, and always shares her positive experiences. Emily enjoys the company of the classmates in Cognitus and she is self-motivated to complete her assignment with quality to win a thumbs-up from her tutor.”
Parent of Emily, Primary 6
Great Progression in Composition
“Thanks to Cognitus, I see the progress of my child. He has got his confidence on composition.”
Parent of Takuya, Primary 6
Passionate and Nurturing Teachers
“Ms Nawirah is very passionate and nuturing. My son enjoys attending Ms Nawirah’s lessons. Under her guidance, he is able to write and do well in his composition test, how amazing is that!”
Parent of Aidan, Primary 3
Built Up Love for English
“My daughter has built up so much love and confidence for the subject ever since she has joined Cognitus. She always looks forward to her classes and does her English revision without much supervision.
Strongly recommend Cognitus to parents looking for a fun and effective English programme.”
Parent of Eritha Tan, Primary 6
Thanks for taking time to read about our strategy.
These are the underlying principles behind
some of the strategies taught to gifted kids.
We want mainstream students to also benefit from them
because we have seen how powerful they can be.
If you want your child to try out our Critical Reading and Writing strategies,
sign up using the form below.