Media Literacy for Secondary School Students

By WR!TERS@WORK

Media literacy means that students develop the skills needed to interpret, evaluate, and create content using mass communication tools. Students need to be able to analyse and think critically about the messages we consume and understand the motives behind them. When students analyse a piece of text or a graphic, what goes through their minds? Being able to identify the tone, message, and implications of a piece of content are valuable skills that WRITERS AT WORK educators explore with primary and secondary school students in our regular English tuition classes.

Here are some aspects of media literacy for secondary school students:

1. How Believable is Something You Read Online?

In secondary school, it is especially crucial for teens to understand the implications of using social media, as there is a lot of misinformation on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Knowing how to become media literate could be the difference between life and death – there are some users on TikTok challenging people to boil chicken in NyQuil (cough medicine), releasing toxic fumes which knock you out, make you very sick, or even kill you. When students evaluate a piece of content, they need to determine how trustworthy it is. This is one of the benefits of media literacy – by cross-checking what they know with the new content in front of them, students will demonstrate skills of critical thinking and deductive reasoning.

2. The Intention Behind Pieces of Media

Teens need to analyse the messages in the media by understanding the literary techniques the author of the piece of content has used. Identifying the intention behind pieces of media is highly important, as many pieces of media are produced with an agenda in mind. By looking at the author of the content and the message behind it, we can figure out whether the message portrayed by the author aligns with what is good for us in life. There are many messages in advertising that are prevalent in our world – the question is whether we are going to buy into every single one of them. By thinking critically about pieces of content, we become less susceptible to the idyllic picture that marketing may paint as we can evaluate it for what it is.

3. The Complexity and Dangers of Social Media

There should be understanding about the complexity and dangers of using social media – it can be used as a tool for information, but it can also be a weapon to harm others. This is especially so in the modern age, where everyone, regardless of age, has easy access to the Internet and a smartphone. Most youths are plugged into social media. Social media is a place where misinformation can easily spread, as the content on it is designed to appeal to people’s emotions rather than logic. By developing skills of media literacy, students can recognise the complexity of events they see portrayed on social media, developing a more nuanced view.

Media literacy is not only something students should learn for the purposes of passing their English exams. When we grow into adults, we are bombarded by different sources of news. At times, there may be an agenda for the authors of these pieces of content. By learning how to identify the intention behind a piece of content and what it is trying to convey, we can evaluate whether a piece of content is good for us or whether we should stay away from it. In a world where clicks, likes, and views are synonymous with dollar signs, it is crucial what we choose to give our attention to. As such, it is vital that teens develop media literacy skills. WRITERS AT WORK aims to train its students to develop a high sense of media literacy.

At WRITERS AT WORK, our mission is to deliver results. Our dedicated team of teachers and relevant curriculum allows our secondary school students not only to develop skills which they will need in their O Level exams, but also skills that will take them through further education, the job market, and real life. Proficiency in English is a highly transferable skill which students will no doubt use as they traverse the rest of their academic journey. No matter what you want to do in future, you will benefit from the ability to think critically about pieces of information, craft a logical written and spoken response, and write fluently.

Master the English Language with WRITERS AT WORK!

English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.

At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website and watch our YouTube videos!

If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 8 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. Is Creative Writing Good for Kids?

Creative writing is good for children as it teaches them how to use their imagination. Children have a vivid imagination and will enjoy coming up with different storylines and characters. Through the use of creative writing, children can express themselves using the English language, which is also good for their emotional development and maturity.

2. What are Good Creative Writing Topics?

A good start is to write about what you know. Students can start by writing about things that are familiar to them, such as school or family. Then, students can move on to more complex topics, requiring them to use their imagination about events which would be unlikely to happen in real life, such as a fairytale or an adventure story. Older students can write descriptive essays about being in a situation or about more abstract concepts, such as regret.

3. How to Begin a Story?

A good story should have just the right amount of exposition to illuminate the setting and the characters for the reader without giving away the entire plot. The story should begin where it is relevant, and the general gist of the situation should be outlined. The writer should know how to move the plot along from where they start easily, and the story should flow logically.

4. What are the Basic Steps in Creative Writing?

A good first step would be to plan out the story – it is important that the story follows a Plot Curve which has a logical sequence of events and a clear conclusion. The main and supporting characters should be clear – there should not be a whole village of characters – just enough to further the plot. Moreover, the central conflict of the story should be clear.