Language Department

The Head of Department holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Kenyatta University. She also holds a Masters degree in Kiswahili from the University of Nairobi. The language department senior head is a dedicated Kiswahili teacher, who possesses a wealth of experience in her specialization. She is an ardent Kiswahili teacher and has taught in various Kenyan schools. She has a good record of performance in her teaching career. She has held this position since 2013 to date. Through her leadership, the department has grown from strength to strength over the years.

Members of the Department
Name Subject(s)
1. Mrs. Dinah Wanjala Kiswahili -Senior Head of Dept
2. Mrs. Patricia Weber English/Literature,School Deputy(ADMINISTRATION)
3. Mr. Cyrus Wachira Kiswahili,DEAN OF STUDIES
4.Mrs. Christine Mwaniki  English/Literature HOS ENGLISH
6. Mr. Peter Karugu English/Literature
7. Miss. Rahab Taitho English/Literature
8. Miss. Grace Ng’ang’a English/Literature
10. Mr. Newton Ambenge Kiswahili
11. Mrs. Ann Nafula  English/Literature
12. Mrs. Damary Kataka Kiswahili
14. Mr Stephen Muniu Kiswahili
15. Miss. Gladys Njeri Kiswahili
16. Mrs. Eunice Njambi Kiswahili
17. Jane Moraa Kiswahili
18. Ann Kiua Kiswahili
19. Cynthia Kimani Kiswahili

20. Victoria Kamau

21.Grace Njuguna

22.Sharon Wachera

English/Literature

English/Literature

English/Literature

 
Curriculum Delivery Policy

Our school follows the KNEC (Kenya National Examination Council) and KICD (Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development) approved syllabus under the 8.4.4 system of education. The teachers are key players in facilitating the learning of mathematics. We recognize that mathematics opens career paths and development, since it is a key subject to most careers. We prepare students to be effective in calculation skills, so as to fit in the larger world, which is now a global village. We focus on being role models to our students and supporting them to ensure that we produce great results every year. Our students participate in various mathematics competitions, like maths contests organised by different schools, Kenya maths Olympiad organised by Nairobi University.

This is in recognition that various students learn in different ways, thus we expose them to various learning activities like, drawing graphs daily, construction skills, calculation skills, use of the mathematics tables. Students have group discussions, have a note book where they write down all formulas learnt. We recognize that language teachers are key players in facilitating the learning of language. We recognize that language opens career paths and development, since it is a key communication tool in every career. We also recognize that since language is central to learning the other subjects, all teachers are, in practice, language teachers, with responsibilities in facilitating communication. In this regard, we ensure that we facilitate the access to reading materials as well as other materials that enhance and develop listening, writing, reading and speaking skills in learners e.g ICT, newspapers, class readers.

In liaison with the KICD, the department seeks to promote the usage of Kenya’s official languages (English and Kiswahili) to enhance national unity. Furthermore, the school allows the usage of French for students who take it as a subject. We prepare students to be effective communicators, so as to fit in the larger world, which is now a global village. The department is made up of the following members of staff, who play a critical role in curriculum delivery. Our students participate in various essay writing competitions, like the EAC and the Commonwealth competitions. This is in recognition that various students learn in different ways, thus we expose them to various learning activities like drama, note making, creative writing, debates, individual group presentations and peer review groups. Students also recite verses in these languages.

Lesson Distribution
  • The lessons are distributed among all the members, whereby forms 1 and 2 have 6 lessons per week in English, and 5 lessons in Kiswahili.
  • Forms 3 and 4 have 8 lessons per week in English, while Kiswahili has 6.
  • Each lesson is forty minutes long.
Scheem of Work
  • Schemes of work are an important tool in the teaching/learning process.
  • Language teachers prepare the schemes of work at the beginning of each year.
  • Schemes of work are prepared in compliance with the syllabus.
  • Each teacher is given copies of the scheme that guide them in their lesson preparation and teaching.
Syllabus Coverage

The department makes sure that there is timely coverage of the syllabus within the stipulated timelines. This helps to make sure that all that the learners are supposed to be taught is covered. After syllabus coverage, teachers embark on revision.

Lesson Plan

The department acknowledges that a lesson plan is a key guide for running a particular lesson, and it includes the goal, how and whether the goal was achieved. The department has a policy that each lesson should be taught with the guidance of a lesson plan, for effective delivery.

Testing Policy
  • A test or an examination is an assessment intended to measure a learner’s knowledge, skills and aptitudes.
  • The language department recognizes that assignments and exercises are very essential in the learning of a language. As such, an assignment is given at the end of every lesson.
  • The department usually offers Random Assessment Test (RATs) to evaluate how much the learners have learnt.
  • The department identifies and supports gifted and talented learners, as well as those who fail to meet their targets.
  • The department keeps systematic records of each learner’s development and achievement, to provide evidence of progress over time.
  • There are two Continuous Assessment Tests in a term, and one main termly exam, which further give feedback on the learner’s academic progress.
Internal Exam Analysis

The department does a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and targets) analysis after every test. This allows the departmental members to know whether the set targets were met or not. If the targets were not satisfactorily met, the individual subject teacher is required to come up with a makeup test that majorly evaluates on the areas that are challenging to the learners. There is a programme that is put in place giving extra contact hours to the weak students with an aim of solving the challenges that they may have.

K.C.S.E Analysis

Upon the release of the K.C.S.E results, the departmental members meet and do an analysis of the students’ performance. A comparison is made regarding the general performance nationally. This gives direction on whether the set targets were achieved and gives the direction on the setting of the following year’s targets. The K.C.S.E results also give a feedback on what areas need to be improved on as well as the working techniques that can be put in place to achieve the set goals.

Highlights

Our students have always done well in the various essay writing competitions.

  • Fourth best student in the East African essay writing competition (2017).
  • Top student in the E-Kitabu national essay writing competition(2018).
  • National drama and music festivals champions in verse recitations(solo and choral verses)
  • Seasoned champions in the great debaters contest.
Departmental catch phrase

The department is built on the strong foundation of team spirit and wide consultations