Stepping up from Primary School to Secondary School can prove to be a daunting transition for the thousands of students who make the leap every year. The same can also be said for the English syllabus, as new topics and methods of learning are introduced, and easier ones are phased out altogether. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between Primary and Secondary School English, and how enrolling your child at a good English tuition centre for Secondary School students can help them ease into uncharted waters.
No More MCQs
The first noticeable change in the syllabus is that there is a drastic reduction in the number of components that will be tested in examinations. While that might seem to be a welcome change at first glance, this change is actually mostly brought about by the elimination of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), perceived by many students to be one of the easier sections of an English exam. In their place are more open-ended questions that will test each student’s English proficiency more rigorously. Essentially, the training wheels are off and students are expected to be able to think independently instead of relying on “a game of chance”. Here at Augustine English Classes, our Secondary English tuition programmes are tailored to encourage independent and higher-order thinking in our students.
More Demanding Questions
While Secondary School English papers will no longer explicitly test grammar as is often the case in MCQs, it doesn’t mean that grammar isn’t crucial; in fact, students are already expected to have a solid grasp of grammatical concepts, using them to accurately construct and present their ideas in the questions posed to them with minimal grammatical errors. Another new scoring criteria is the usage of language for impact, in which students will be tested for their usage of words that can shape a reader’s perspective of what they’re trying to convey. This often requires a wide range of vocabulary, which is something our English tuition for Secondary School students in Singapore will aim to nurture through regular exposure to various types of literature and media content, as well as plenty of opportunities for them to express themselves.
Introduction of Summary Writing
Arguably the most challenging new component introduced in the Secondary School English syllabus is summary writing, where students are required to rewrite a portion of a comprehension passage in their own words, condense it, and retain the most important pieces of information without compromising on the quality of the writing. Over the years, summary writing has proven to be a stumbling block for many students; indeed, it is something that tests not just grammar and vocabulary, but also one’s ability to write within strict boundaries. Here at our O-Level English tuition centre in Singapore, our programmes are designed to address common issues faced by students whilst attempting summary writing, especially when it comes to rephrasing, which is something students tend to have a hard time doing.
Overall, the main objective of Secondary School English is to gradually nudge students away from guided questions and encourage them to think independently, building confidence in their own grasp of the language. Enrolling your child in O-Level English tuition helps them make the transition from Primary School English more smoothly whilst affording them more time to acclimatise themselves with new topics and concepts.
Give them the head start they deserve with Augustine English Classes. Visit our website for more information.
