CATHOLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE ANNUAL 2015 GLOBAL IMMERSION PROGRAMMES
1
ELL Reach Castle Immersion Programme 16-29 March he opportunity to visit the historic city of Cambridge in England, to learn from the very best and brightest in the field of 2 Linguistics, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the United Kingdom itself is one that few would willingly pass up. While the English Language and Linguistics (ELL) Programme here in Catholic Junior College is top-notch, nothing beats the experience of actually going to the heart of the English language 4 itself, and there can be no doubt that the experience truly paid off.
T
Our knowledge of Linguistics benefited immensely from the trip - famous professors and linguists alike graciously took the time to lecture to us in the premises of Reach Cambridge. Familiar topics, such as regional varieties of English and language change, were discussed in much greater detail than usual. Varieties such as Geordie and key events such as the Great Vowel Shift were just some of the interesting content we covered. In addition to this, we learnt topics outside of the standard syllabus here in Singapore, including Psycholinguistics, which deals with how one actually learns a language. The highlight of our Linguistics studies was engaging in linguistic research, gathering data from our interviews of the residents in and visitors to Cambridge. Our data were uploaded onto the website, languagelandscape.com, set up by the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Another highlight of the programme comprised visits to two schools, Reach Academy in London and Norwich School in the historic city of Norwich. We interacted with the students in these two schools, attended their lessons and had lunch with them during their break. The ELL students also conducted a presentation on Singapore English and Singapore’s history to the students in Reach Academy. Our learning journey had a historical element to it as well, as it was interspersed with trips around London, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon. During these walking tours, we learnt more about the history and culture of England itself, including the origins and histories of famous landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament and the colleges of Oxford University. Visits to Shakespeare’s home in Stratford and the British Museum - and viewing the famous Rosetta Stone - in London were also great ways to immerse ourselves in knowledge of the arts. Broadening and enriching both our minds as well as our life experiences, Reach Castle is a once in a lifetime experience that is a must-do for anyone taking ELL in Catholic Junior College. PAGE 34
3
5
6
7 8
10 9
1 Meeting the student guides at Reach Academy 2 Presenting research findings in Trinity College tutorial room 3 Ms Charlotte Hemmings on varieties of English 4 In the city of Oxford 5 Priscilla during the presentation at Reach Academy 6 Our ELL students with student leaders in Reach Academy 7 Reach Castle graduates with Reach officials and ELL teachers Ms Goh Huishan and Mrs Sng Mee Lian 8 Esan with prefects in Norwich School 9 At St Paul’s Cathedral in London 10 Inside Trinity College