Exemption from Mother Tongue
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Dear Mummies,
My special needs child is due to enter mainstream P1 next year. I am contemplating to exempt him from Mother Tongue. In terms of his MT, he is able to speak and read pretty well but it’s the writing part that is a real challenge and nightmare for him. He takes a long time in mastering the strokes and certain letters he just could not write it out. Since he has learning difficulties, I am thinking of allowing him to just concentrate on English and Maths as I believed there is no luxury of time for him to spend 4-5 days just mastering the stroke well as seen in my elder girl’s educational demands. The weekly 听写 is too much for him and most of the words are too difficult for him even at p1 level.
What is the implication behind this exemption and can I apply before his entry to P1? I see a portion of the application form that requires his MT teacher to write her comments. Seem to be that it is only possible after he enters P1 and with his MT teacher’s recommendation. Pl enlighten me.
Thank you. -
luvmum:
Hi Luvmum,Dear Mummies,
My special needs child is due to enter mainstream P1 next year. I am contemplating to exempt him from Mother Tongue. In terms of his MT, he is able to speak and read pretty well but it's the writing part that is a real challenge and nightmare for him. He takes a long time in mastering the strokes and certain letters he just could not write it out. Since he has learning difficulties, I am thinking of allowing him to just concentrate on English and Maths as I believed there is no luxury of time for him to spend 4-5 days just mastering the stroke well as seen in my elder girl's educational demands. The weekly 听写 is too much for him and most of the words are too difficult for him even at p1 level.
What is the implication behind this exemption and can I apply before his entry to P1? I see a portion of the application form that requires his MT teacher to write her comments. Seem to be that it is only possible after he enters P1 and with his MT teacher's recommendation. Pl enlighten me.
Thank you.
You would need a letter from the doctor to recommend exemption from mother tongue, but that still doesn't guarantee the exemption. The school will still need to assess and grant approval.
I have raised up this matter with the child psychologist at IMH CGC. His recommendation is not to seek exemption at such early stage. We can review the needs again when he is in primary 3 or 4 and if he showed that he really cannot cope. The main implication is that it will be reflected on his certificate when he finished his PSLE or O level etc. He may need to have to explain why is it so in future and we are not sure if it will affect his chances to apply or get what he wants to achieve in future because of this little 'blemish'.
Of course, it wouldn't look good either if he gets a F for mother tongue or worse, the results for other subjects being affected because of the struggle with mother tongue..
My suggestion is not to make the decision so soon, just let him try (anyway most schools don't have exams for primary 1) and observe how he cope before making final decision. -
DS is exempted from MT. O level just used L1R5 to apply JC no problem. Entrance to Uni would be based on score for 3H2 and 1H1 and GP + PW. No problem also.
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Hi Luvmum,
The exemption application process is quite lengthy. My son is in Primary 5 and faces learning challenge. I am currently applying to MOE for MT exemption through the school and was told it can take up to 3 months for approval. And yes, the school’s chinese teacher will need to write a report and it has to be submitted with your application form and psychologist report for MOE’s review. -
Thank you to mummies for your response n sharing.
Looks like I need to let him try n see what his MT teacher
Says then.
Many thanks. -
Thank you to mummies for your response n sharing.
Looks like I need to let him try n see what his MT teacher
Says then.
Many thanks. -
Hi,
I have a parent asking me the same question too…how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How’s it calculated? Thanks in advance.
John -
JohnYeo:
MOE doesn't make public how the score is calculated. However, if MT is the child's weakest subject, the T-score based on the 3 remaining subjects won't be lower than for 4 subjects.Hi,
I have a parent asking me the same question too....how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How's it calculated? Thanks in advance.
John -
slmkhoo:
Thanks alot, slmkhoo...will let the parent know
MOE doesn't make public how the score is calculated. However, if MT is the child's weakest subject, the T-score based on the 3 remaining subjects won't be lower than for 4 subjects.JohnYeo:
Hi,
I have a parent asking me the same question too....how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How's it calculated? Thanks in advance.
John -
What documents you need for mother tongue exemption? From the doctor?
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cindyhan:
What documents you need for mother tongue exemption? From the doctor?
You will need a report from an educational psychologist describing the diagnosis of learning disability, with a recommendation to exempt from MT. A letter from a GP will not be sufficient. -
The school has an application form to be completed. Medical report has to be provided and submitted through the school. Teacher’s report is required too.
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Can I check if you receive a letter from moe or the school after the exemption? I was told my son is exempted but no letter was given.
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It can be a lengthy and expensive process to get MT exemption.
A comprehensive language assessment report from therapist of child's medical problems, a report from the doctor in the hospital (specialized in children learning difficulty) as well as a form to be filled in by parents, to be submitted to MOE. Then a 1-3 months wait. I am still waiting :nailbite: -
janet_lee88:
Hi, would you mind to share what is your DC's current level and what is your child's score which made you decide to apply exemption? TIAIt can be a lengthy and expensive process to get MT exemption.
A comprehensive language assessment report from therapist of child's medical problems, a report from the doctor in the hospital (specialized in children learning difficulty) as well as a form to be filled in by parents, to be submitted to MOE. Then a 1-3 months wait. I am still waiting :nailbite: -
My older one is in sec 2 express stream…taking all subjects, including Chinese. According to specialist, this comparison is necessary to gauge between the 2.
Younger one has tuition for Chinese since k2 like son. But she just cannot recognize characters…failing since p1 despite 1 to 1. Son also failed Chinese, so I dismissed tutor and coached myself.
Despite spending so much time on MT at the expense of the other 3 equally important subjects, I find that she needs to be assessed professionally. The child specialist at NUH confirmed she has language impairment. Then she had x ray done to check for bone age (result is normal). Language therapist saw her for tests. Both the specialist and therapist recommended she has exemption for MT after further tests. Hopefully with exemption, her other subjects will be close to pass…Chinese result is always in single digit failing rate. -
mashy:
Can I check if you receive a letter from moe or the school after the exemption? I was told my son is exempted but no letter was given.
Yes, there should be a letter from MOE stating the terms of the exemption. It should be on MOE letterhead paper, quite formal looking. You may want to check with the school office. -
slmkhoo:
It also has to be signed off by school principal.mashy:
Can I check if you receive a letter from moe or the school after the exemption? I was told my son is exempted but no letter was given.
Yes, there should be a letter from MOE stating the terms of the exemption. It should be on MOE letterhead paper, quite formal looking. You may want to check with the school office. -
janet_lee88:
Hey JanetMy older one is in sec 2 express stream...taking all subjects, including Chinese. According to specialist, this comparison is necessary to gauge between the 2.
Younger one has tuition for Chinese since k2 like son. But she just cannot recognize characters...failing since p1 despite 1 to 1. Son also failed Chinese, so I dismissed tutor and coached myself.
Despite spending so much time on MT at the expense of the other 3 equally important subjects, I find that she needs to be assessed professionally. The child specialist at NUH confirmed she has language impairment. Then she had x ray done to check for bone age (result is normal). Language therapist saw her for tests. Both the specialist and therapist recommended she has exemption for MT after further tests. Hopefully with exemption, her other subjects will be close to pass...Chinese result is always in single digit failing rate.
Didn't realize a comparison was required. Did you submit DS results when applying for DD's exemption? I don't remember being asked for my DD's results when I applied exemption for DS. Of course, the school could easily get it since both kids in the same school.
Did MOE indicate when they'll be able to get back to you? -
the 'so-called' comparison is that if son is in express stream, sibling should not be so far off academically...but every child is different :? son didn't had much problems with MT when he was in primary school and he was in a SAP school taking Higher Chinese until P4. I spent a lot of time coaching him in his Chinese, exactly like the way I coached younger one...but younger one just doesn't grasp Chinese and doesn't recognize at all.
daughter didn't attend same primary school as son...we know she can't cope with HMT.
still waiting for answer...driving me crazy waiting.