Empowering Students through Literature: Real Life Connections in the Classroom

Cultivating Minds Through Literature: Empowering Students through Real-life Connections

July 18, 2024

Mr Yeap Choon How brings the power of words to life for his students by connecting literary texts to their personal experiences. Through activities like letter writing and mlbox creation in his lower secondary literature class, he makes learning a tangible experience.

Reflecting on his passion since secondary school days, Mr Yeap credits his Literature teachers at Raffles Institution with introducing him to the diverse world of emotions through tragedy and comedy across different literary genres. He was particularly captivated by Hamlet, its portrayal of a thoughtful protagonist that inspired him further into exploring plays like Tom Stoppard's Dogg’s Hamlet and Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead.

The journey led Mr Yeap to pursue his career path in teaching, guided by the MOE Teaching Scholarship. After earning his bachelor's degree at University of York, followed by a master's from Cambridge University, he prepared for education through a postgraduate diploma program at National Institute of Education.

At Xinmin Secondary School, where he taught English and Literature, Mr Yeap developed creative ways to engage students with texts. His students transformed into active participants in discussions and peer readings thanks to role-playing and art projects that linked stories to their lives.

As his former students expressed gratitude by gifting him poetry books post O levels, Mr Yeap realized the lasting impact he had on their appreciation for literature, aligning with his goal from day one.

In recognition of the significance of reading, Mr Yeap furthered his knowledge during his bachelor's degree when studying French symbolist poetry pushed him out of his comfort zone. This experience taught him that deeper literary understanding requires mastering and context. This insight became even more relevant as he transitioned to his current role as a Gifted Education Officer in the MOE Headquarters' Gifted Education Branch.

In this position, Mr Yeap focuses on equipping teachers with strategies to engage primary school students richly in open-ed discussions about literary texts and fostering an uring love for reading among them. The study of literature involves exploring diverse s, which lays a strong foundation for advanced exploration as students progress through secondary education.

By sharing his experiences here, we hope Mr Yeap inspires educators worldwide on how to connect the abstract beauty of literature with their learners' everyday realities, transforming passive readers into passionate storytellers and thinkers.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.scholarschoice.com.sg/experience/moe-teaching-scholarship-holder-explores-english-literature-fun-ways/

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