Singapore News
Updated On: 10/5/2006
Author: Pearl Forss -

SINGAPORE: English language will be taught differently in schools to check a decline in standards among Singaporeans.

According to the Ministry of Education, Singaporeans are deemed to read English fairly well, but when it comes to oral fluency and writing skills, feedback sessions with employers show that most feel there has been a drop in standards, even among professionals.

Hence, there will be major changes to the way English is being taught in schools.

At the primary level, Strategies for Effective and Engaged Development in English, or SEED-EL, will be implemented in all schools by 2009. This programme is currently piloted in the lower primary curriculum in 30 schools.

Children will be taught grammar, vocabulary and language structures, and inculcated with the love of reading.

Students weaker in the English language will also continue to be supported by an enhanced Learning Support Programme, which will be implemented in all schools by 2007. The improved programme will provide a more focused approach to building basic language and reading skills.

At the secondary level, there will be a greater emphasis on spoken English.

The weighting for the assessment of oral communications at 'N' and 'O' levels will be increased from 20 percent to 25 percent.

Lysia Kee, Principal of Bukit Batok Secondary School, says: "They will be exposed to more explicit lessons in grammar and it will be highly structured."

She hopes that the students will become aware of language use because few understand the subtle workings of language.

At the pre-university level, English Language will be introduced as a new subject in 2009.

It will be distinct from the General Paper and students will study topics like linguistics and language use.

The Ministry Of Education will also introduce the English Language Elective Programme in one to two junior colleges from 2009. These colleges will be given additional resources. The ultimate aim, says the Education Ministry, is for one in five Singaporeans to achieve mastery of English, no different from the best in those English-speaking countries.

RADM Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education, says: "I think our neighbouring countries and other non-English speaking countries have also put in an emphasis on raising the standards of English amongst their students. So, it is important that we maintain our edge in our English language proficiency as well as this distinctiveness in bilingualism, in order to ensure that our position in this new competitive environment is not eroded." - CNA/so