<![CDATA[Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore]]>Hi all,


I am sure we have learnt of the latest revamp in the MTL exam format and teaching methods released over the news last night and on front page in ST and 联合早报 this morning. \"Proficiency descriptors\" seems to be the buzz phrase this year. For the benefit of all parents here, I am attempting to summarise the key changes here.

The guiding principle is to allow students to actively use what they learn in the classroom as opposed to learning it for purely academic purposes. Hence, the focus is on real-life usage.

Sources: ST, 联合早报 andhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com. There is also an official release on MOE's website and again full details are there as well http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2011/01/enhancing-the-teaching-and-testing-of-mtl.php

1. More emphasis on interaction skills, both written and oral
a. Videos will be used in oral exams where students will have to describe and be prompted from what they see, rather than describe a printed picture.

b. New PSLE questions based on context will be tested. I.e. test students' response to a specific scenario by offering MCQ options. E.g. Qns - Based on the above scenario, what will your response/reply be? Pls refer to http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2011/annex-b-mtl-review.pdf for sample question.

c. New or modified items testing interaction skills will take up 20% of the PSLE exam from 2017.

2. Greater use of IT
a. New exam items like writing an email will be included (only at sec school). Writing of MT characters is still emphasized in pri schools. Keyboarding will not replace the whole exam; It will be an added component.

b. Expansion of usage for e-dictionaries

3. Timeline of changes
a. Changes will take place progressively from 2011 to 2017.

b. Video-Oral component in PSLE will only be used in 2017 PSLE. But this element will be introduced in school curriculum before 2017 to prepare students for it. (This means next year's P1 batch will take the new PSLE format in 2017)

4. Boost to HMTL
a. MOE will roll out translation courses in JCs from 2015 for those with higher learning ability in Chinese.

5. Proficiency Descriptors (This is only given in full detail in 联合早报, for the Eng version, pls refer to this link - http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2011/annex-a-mtl-review.pdf

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/18474/latest-mtl-changes-in-exam-format-and-teaching-in-singaporeRSS for NodeSat, 05 Sep 2026 02:51:56 GMTWed, 19 Jan 2011 04:22:06 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Tue, 07 Feb 2017 06:00:48 GMT]]>

kctan:
Hi. I think there is a lack of materials out there to show how the new oral exam video format looks like. I saw some samples on this website. You can check out the http://myflyingcolours.com samples.

Thanks for sharing. More companies are producing these Videos. They come in book form at Popular Bookstores. There is a flat USB drive attached inside which contains many videos.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1752607https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1752607Tue, 07 Feb 2017 06:00:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Sun, 15 Jan 2017 05:31:24 GMT]]>Hi. I think there is a lack of materials out there to show how the new oral exam video format looks like. I saw some samples on this website. You can check out the http://myflyingcolours.com samples.


Hope this helps. Cheers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1747388https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1747388Sun, 15 Jan 2017 05:31:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:18:53 GMT]]>But it's only an additional component isn't it? I don't get the impression that they are doing away with the 2 back-to-back comprehension passages (killer).

Brenda10:
phankao:

But at least maybe the phobia for MTL might be lessened?

Yes. I do agree that it will definitely lessen the phobia toward MT if we compare those sample vs the 2010 P6 test papers that the children are working on.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340199https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/340199Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:18:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:34:25 GMT]]>

phankao:
But at least maybe the phobia for MTL might be lessened?

Yes. I do agree that it will definitely lessen the phobia toward MT if we compare those sample vs the 2010 P6 test papers that the children are working on.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339651https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339651Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:34:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:26:32 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
You've a point. In this then the initial objective that brought up last year in MT has achieved.

But at least maybe the phobia for MTL might be lessened?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339647https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339647Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:26:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:56:13 GMT]]>

phankao:
Easier - so what? It's still T-score. Which means if everyone finds it easier.....then scores won't be so high? ;(

You've a point. In this then the initial objective that brought up last year in MT has achieved.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339620https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339620Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:56:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:42:06 GMT]]>

koguma:
tankee:

I found the example they gave that is published in today's Straits Times, too simple. I thought the lower primary are already being tested with that level of difficulties.


You may find it simple. But for those Parents and Kids who don't like Chinese, they will still find it difficult.

Easier - so what? It's still T-score. Which means if everyone finds it easier.....then scores won't be so high? ;(

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339583https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339583Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:42:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:52:44 GMT]]>I think it is about a consistency in effort. I am actually very impressed with parents who try to do the daddy-speaks-Chinese-and-mummy-speaks-English thing. Very commendable.

mummy of 2:
If the parents are not conversant in MT then can't blame them for not using the language with their kids. What puzzles me are those parents who can converse in MT yet insist on speaking only english at home.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339546https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339546Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:52:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:47:15 GMT]]>If the parents are not conversant in MT then can’t blame them for not using the language with their kids. What puzzles me are those parents who can converse in MT yet insist on speaking only english at home.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339480https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339480Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:47:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:26:57 GMT]]>Mummy of 2, I agree with you that MOE is trying to encourage more speaking of Chinese at home. It is the best environment where children can speak without fear of bring laughed at. But the issue is a lot of parents find it difficult to hold a decent conversation in Chinese. That is a real problem. Perhaps parents should sign up for enrichment classes! Haha.

mummy of 2:
KSP:

[quote=\"mummy of 2\"]My personal take is that it will be easier for kids who can speak fluently in MT.

So does that mean the standard is lowered?

Think hard to say as some kids can read MT but may not be so fluent in the spoken language whereas some can speak well but may not be able to read or write as well.
One thing i think parents should note is that we are encouraged to provide a home environment conducive to speaking MT.[/quote]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339452https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339452Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:26:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:51:00 GMT]]>

KSP:
mummy of 2:

[quote=\"KSP\"]Is the latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore more difficult or easier for our students?


My personal take is that it will be easier for kids who can speak fluently in MT.

So does that mean the standard is lowered?[/quote]Think hard to say as some kids can read MT but may not be so fluent in the spoken language whereas some can speak well but may not be able to read or write as well.
One thing i think parents should note is that we are encouraged to provide a home environment conducive to speaking MT.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339218https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339218Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:51:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:33:13 GMT]]>

mummy of 2:
KSP:

Is the latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore more difficult or easier for our students?


My personal take is that it will be easier for kids who can speak fluently in MT.

So does that mean the standard is lowered?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339199https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339199Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:33:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:30:00 GMT]]>

KSP:
Is the latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore more difficult or easier for our students?

My personal take is that it will be easier for kids who can speak fluently in MT.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339191https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339191Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:30:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:22:26 GMT]]>Is the latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore more difficult or easier for our students?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339183https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339183Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:22:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:57:53 GMT]]>

tankee:
I found the example they gave that is published in today's Straits Times, too simple. I thought the lower primary are already being tested with that level of difficulties.

You may find it simple. But for those Parents and Kids who don't like Chinese, they will still find it difficult.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339065https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/339065Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:57:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:29:17 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
tankee:

I found the example they gave that is published in today's Straits Times, too simple. I thought the lower primary are already being tested with that level of difficulties.


Yes, I also find that it is very much easier than the P6 paper now and the standard look more for lower primary.

The sample of PSLE:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2011/annex-b-mtl-review.pdf

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338796https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338796Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:29:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:59:32 GMT]]>

tankee:
I found the example they gave that is published in today's Straits Times, too simple. I thought the lower primary are already being tested with that level of difficulties.

Yes, I also find that it is very much easier than the P6 paper now and the standard look more for lower primary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338759https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338759Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:59:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Latest MTL changes in exam format and teaching in Singapore on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:54:21 GMT]]>I found the example they gave that is published in today’s Straits Times, too simple. I thought the lower primary are already being tested with that level of difficulties.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338751https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/338751Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:54:21 GMT