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Catholic Junior College

English Language & Linguistics

Explore the H2 English Language and Linguistics programme at CJC, where you can deepen your understanding of how language shapes meaning and society.

Last updated 15 June 2026

English Language & Linguistics

About the Programme

  • English Language and Linguistics (ELL) is an H2 subject that aims to develop students’ understanding, use and appreciation of the English language through the discipline of Linguistics as well as investigation into the nature of the English language and contemporary linguistics issues.

    • The study of ELL would involve thinking about these core questions:

  • What is the English language?

  • How do speakers/writers choose to use the English language based on different contexts?

  • Why is it that some English speakers do not understand each other even though they speak the same language?

  • Does language determine thought?

  • Why do we need to be aware of linguistic choices we make especially in the area of politics, institutions and news media

A-Level Syllabus

Prerequisites/Suitability

Applicants will be considered based on their performance in a written selection test upon successful admission to CJC.

The Indicative Grade Cut-off is A2 grade for O-Level English Language. 

Before applying, students should consider their interest in the English language and related issues; precision and flair in expression will stand applicants in good stead for a position on the programme.

Student Testimonials

“I think the beautiful thing about studying ELL is that it’s something that you don’t just leave behind once you graduate. You don’t just learn about English in ELL; you learn to think in an entirely new way … these lessons continue to apply in my life” -Vinessa Martin, 2019 Science student and current SMU Law Undergraduate 

“Ever since I took ELL, I find myself unknowingly analysing bus stop advertisements, news papers and many more! It proves that ELL is connected to our everyday life, making it more satisfactory when you understand the meaning behind it.” -Carolyn Ong, 2021 Arts Student

Enrichment

1. Partnership with the University of Birmingham

Our ELL and Ignite programmes are fortunate to have benefitted from the generosity and expertise of the Department of English Language and Linguistics, at the University of Birmingham. In 2019, we invited Dr Ruth Page and Dr Jason Grafmiller to deliver a series of lectures and seminars as part of our Ignite Residential Programme. Dr Page engaged our students in a lively and critical inquiry into various Wikipedia pages, by way of discussing the topic of Language, Gender and Power. 

In 2022, our students interacted with undergraduate students from the University as part of a focus group discussion on linguistic discrimination and prestige. Such programmes have exposed our students to the wider linguistic landscape and challenged them to apply the subject-specific skills to a spectrum of texts and contexts.

Four people sit on a stage panel; one man speaks into a microphone while two uniformed students take notes.

**2\. Guest Lectures by Linguists**

The English Language is very much a living language, susceptible to growing factors of change over time. Our students are frequently exposed to the work of esteemed linguists – both local and foreign – who keep them abreast with current linguistic issues and specialist knowledge. In 2022, Assistant Professor Geraldine Kwek from the National Institute of Education shared her expertise on accent variation and the factors that affect how one speaks. Students gained a new lens to view our own Singaporean accent, while forging a greater appreciation of the wider linguistic community. This made them empowered and enthusiastic about finding ways to apply and synthesise theories they had learnt.

3. Good English Week

Good English Week is an MOE initiative to promote the appropriate and effective use of English. In CJC, this is an opportunity for our ELL students to delve deeper into a specific topic or issue in our curriculum and to share their learning with the wider school community. 

In 2022, we explored “English Around the World”, considering regional variation in the use of English (i.e. different accents, dialects and so on). In one of the activities, the school community was engaged in an English dialect guessing game, where the correct answer was revealed on @goodenglish.cjc at the end of each day. Our ELL students were excited to share their knowledge of dialects such as Uganda English (or “Uglish”) and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), through attractive infographics they designed. It was scintillating to see just how differently English can be used across the world!

Catholic Junior College Speak Good English Week post about Hong Kong English, with stickers and pink grid background.

Scholarships

Catholic Junior College is one of three English Language Elective Programme (ELEP) centres in Singapore. This means that students admitted to the programme may apply for the English Language Elective Scholarship (ELES) awarded by the Ministry of Education. More information about the ELES may be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between O-Level English Language and H2 English Language and Linguistics (ELL)?
O-Level English has a focus on effective communication and accurate processing of meaning. The study of ELL instead invites students to consider why (purpose) and how (linguistic features/ways) different text producers use language to construct meaning.

In ELL Paper 2, we also look at issues and debates that are about the English Language and language in general. For example, we might look at the different attitudes that people in Singapore have towards the use of Singlish.

Do refer to the SEAB syllabus document for more information.

2. Can I take ELL as my contrasting H1 subject?
No, ELL is only offered as an H2 subject. Science students who would like to offer ELL will have to take up a subject combination with 4 H2s. 

3. How will I know how/when to sign up for the selection test?
There will be a briefing on ELL during Orientation/Matriculation Week before the selection test.

Contact Details

Do you have a question that has not been addressed on this site? If so, feel free to write to one of us: