Q&A - PSLE English
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chrisu:
Very interesting point. I believe that students can always ask invigilators for extra paper.Thanks for your answer ridcully. The reason I asked is if only one piece of paper is given during PSLE, there definitely isn't any space left for the address to be put in (not so much of time factor).
I have in front of me now the 2011 PSLE Instructions to Candidates from SEAB. It does not mention about extra paper for the Composition Examination. It simply states that the candidates will be given a Composition Answer Booklet, which contains lined/boxed pages and blank pages. The blank pages are for rough work. Presumably, the students could utilise the blank pages for their actual answers too after checking with the invigilator?
Any PSLE examiners here to comment? -
There is no hard and fast rule about the address for informal letter-writing, but my point of view is that students should follow the format that they are taught in schools.
If their English teachers at school are telling them that there’s no need to include the address in informal letter-writing, don’t include it. -
Mdm Koh:
Hi Mdm Koh. Thanks. How about formal letter-writing? Some of the students I meet are taught to include sender and recipient whereas others are told it's all optional!There is no hard and fast rule about the address for informal letter-writing, but my point of view is that students should follow the format that they are taught in schools.
If their English teachers at school are telling them that there's no need to include the address in informal letter-writing, don't include it.
This is an issue on my list of things to write to MOE about one day. My concern is not whether it should be included or not, but rather the consistency across schools of what children are taught. -
ridcully:
Some of the students I meet are taught to include sender and recipient whereas others are told it's all optional!
For formal letters, that cannot be right. :shock:
Do write to MOE and share its reply with us.
Thankfully, I haven't encountered any inconsistencies so far among my students. All of them have been taught by their school teachers to include the recipient and address for formal letters, and to omit the address for informal letters. -
Hi Mdm Koh
Exactly!
For those students taught not to include addresses, I usually default to ‘Oh well, if that’s what your teacher says’ but then I stress that their salutation, body text and complimentary close must unambiguously be formal.
I also agree with chrisu that some schools seem to miss out various text types. Another point for my increasingly lengthier letter to MOE…
Rgds
R -
The single piece of printed lines (only 15 lines) was given during my daughter’s SA1, though that situational writing was report writing. The teacher made it very clear - only 1 piece will be given.
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chrisu:
That doesn't sound right for the PSLE. Fifteen lines is way insufficient. The Composition Booklet is much more generous, although I do not have a copy of one and have not seen one for many years.The single piece of printed lines (only 15 lines) was given during my daughter's SA1, though that situational writing was report writing. The teacher made it very clear - only 1 piece will be given.
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I was no PSLE EL marker nor examiner. But students will have access to more than 1 piece of writing paper. The compo markers will let you know that the high scoring compos are more than 200 words long, even if instructions mention only 150 words.
EL teachers will have ‘trained’ children the necessary format for letter/ email/ informal writing. I have not peeped much into my daughter’s work on this section simply cos she knows what to do and does it quite well. -
That's why I got a shock when my daughter showed me what the class was given during SA1 for the situation writing. Before seeing that, I insisted that address definitely must be written for letter writing but now I think she better check with the teacher on what to do in PSLE if letter writing will to come out. Also what and how many sheets of paper will be given for PSLE situation writing (not compo).
ridcully:
That doesn't sound right for the PSLE. Fifteen lines is way insufficient. The Composition Booklet is much more generous, although I do not have a copy of one and have not seen one for many years.chrisu:
The single piece of printed lines (only 15 lines) was given during my daughter's SA1, though that situational writing was report writing. The teacher made it very clear - only 1 piece will be given.
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Hi chrisu
Just wanted to say best wishes and good luck to your daughter in the forthcoming oral exams this week.
R :salute:
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