<![CDATA[MTL Exemption - Please advice]]>Aside where did you do the assessment?


My son was not diagnosed with dyslexia by DAS when I sent him for a private assessment.

As mother we knew something was wrong. So I sent him for another assessment with child guidance clinic.
Over there they done IQ and educational assessment.

In my son’s case, they indicated he could be exempted from MT.

My son also flunk his Chinese since Pri 1… At primary 4 I was quite tempted to exempt him for MT. However was strongly discourage by his teacher. My husband also insisted he must do his Chinese. My son also not keen to drop as he already felt sad when he was given extra time and sit in a different place during examination. He was teased by his classmates.

So I was left with not much option but to bite the bullet and let him continue.

He went thru PSLE last yr. The best part was the sch forgot to apply for extra time for his oral. I also took things lightly as I trusted the sch will already made the arrangement.

1 day before his PSLE oral I had to call the school which they contacted MOE.

Thank goodness special arrangements can still be made.

To my surprised, he managed to pass his PSLE Chinese with a C grade. I believe is a lower C. But it built up his ego on it.

Now in sec 1 still struggling with Chinese but he refused to give up.

Don’t go thru the assessment books as he maybe overwhelmed by it.

Just go thru Chinese characters in the textbooks and make sure he can read and understand them.

For my son case, I was rather surprised simple Chinese Characters he cannot read too.

I’m using his younger sister Berries flashcard to teach him now.

All the best to your child.

What you may need now is to give him a lot of support and encouragement.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/56761/mtl-exemption-please-adviceRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 11:49:14 GMTMon, 11 Sep 2017 04:49:29 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:30:49 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:
wanzchan:



I feel you and I don't understand why your applications were rejected. Dysgraphia is consider part of Dyslexia and is a learning disabilties if I'm not wrong. Obviously the child is having difficulties in Chinese when you compare the big gap with the other subjects. I wonder what MOE meant by overall still okay? As long as overall can pass means okay? I hate it so much that Chinese dyslexia is not recognized in our local system while other countries are doing so much research and accepting the fact that there are children who are seriously unable to do Chinese.
Dont mind me asking how was your child's performance in other subjects? 60s? 70s?
I'm really worried now waiting for pyshist's report for my DD, not sure what difficulties DD has. However if fail to be exempted, no choice will still take standard Chinese. Was told that the gap for taking fountation subject is very huge unless your confident your child can score A* for the fountation subject, if not its still safer to take standard

yes... dysgraphia is a disability in written expression....
Meaning he can read english and actually he reads quite well but he has problem spelling the word.... there is just a broken link between the sound he makes and the word he spells out... even if its a common word.. and after many practices and after knowing most of the spelling rules... in the end, the words he writes out just still has spelling error.... plus his vocab and grammar not very strong too...

his grade for other subjects are ok
English: p5: 60+, this year prelims 50+
Math: p5 70/80+, this year prelims 80
Science: P5 70/80+, this year prelims 80
Chinese was always below 30 since p5

i didnt really talk much to his chinese teacher... but she doesnt seems very keen when i once asked her if ds should take foundation chinese.... she also cant be sure that taking ft chinese would help with his t-score ..

DS always very sad with his chinese grades... he actually cried when his best friend was exempted from mt in April (1st application)... He thought it was unfair that he got rejected thrice....
had to explain to him that he's friend was in US when they were in p2 and p3... his English and science were borderline n he failed math... so he's having a much harder time...
after which he told him he is very happy for his friend... as for himself he can only pray... hahahaha


Its so sad indeed. I think it will be better in secondary. All the best for oral tomorrow.
:rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794621https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794621Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:30:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:51:47 GMT]]>

wanzchan:


I feel you and I don't understand why your applications were rejected. Dysgraphia is consider part of Dyslexia and is a learning disabilties if I'm not wrong. Obviously the child is having difficulties in Chinese when you compare the big gap with the other subjects. I wonder what MOE meant by overall still okay? As long as overall can pass means okay? I hate it so much that Chinese dyslexia is not recognized in our local system while other countries are doing so much research and accepting the fact that there are children who are seriously unable to do Chinese.
Dont mind me asking how was your child's performance in other subjects? 60s? 70s?
I'm really worried now waiting for pyshist's report for my DD, not sure what difficulties DD has. However if fail to be exempted, no choice will still take standard Chinese. Was told that the gap for taking fountation subject is very huge unless your confident your child can score A* for the fountation subject, if not its still safer to take standard
yes... dysgraphia is a disability in written expression....
Meaning he can read english and actually he reads quite well but he has problem spelling the word.... there is just a broken link between the sound he makes and the word he spells out... even if its a common word.. and after many practices and after knowing most of the spelling rules... in the end, the words he writes out just still has spelling error.... plus his vocab and grammar not very strong too...

his grade for other subjects are ok
English: p5: 60+, this year prelims 50+
Math: p5 70/80+, this year prelims 80
Science: P5 70/80+, this year prelims 80
Chinese was always below 30 since p5

i didnt really talk much to his chinese teacher... but she doesnt seems very keen when i once asked her if ds should take foundation chinese.... she also cant be sure that taking ft chinese would help with his t-score ..

DS always very sad with his chinese grades... he actually cried when his best friend was exempted from mt in April (1st application)... He thought it was unfair that he got rejected thrice....
had to explain to him that he's friend was in US when they were in p2 and p3... his English and science were borderline n he failed math... so he's having a much harder time...
after which he told him he is very happy for his friend... as for himself he can only pray... hahahaha

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794295https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794295Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:51:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:22:52 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Try to get permission to drop to B syllabus. That will make the load lighter. It will mean 1 less subject to play with in counting the aggregate score, but if he's doing so badly, it's not likely he will want to count it in anyway.


Even if you don't think Foundation is worth the risk, why not take the extra time? If your child would benefit, why not? Frankly, if the child is doing badly and struggling, Foundation should make it easier overall by freeing up time for other subjects.
He is struggling with Chinese only... cos he can't read, write, listen or speak (listen n speak is normal daily simple conversation only)
English Since he has problem writing part so it Compo and paper 2 booklet B...
Science booklet B but not as bad cos spelling errors not deducted...
math is fine...

That why he don't need extra time.... cos even if he has all the time he can't write

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794271https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794271Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:22:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:17:07 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:
Ds has been failing Chinese since p2 from 40+ to 30+ until p5 and p6 currently consistently 20+..

Chinese teacher also feedback he trying very hard to no avail...
Das diagnosed him as dysgraphia and suggested mt exemption...
but moe rejected our application 3 times... saying his overall performance in other subjects are ok..
so we're doom cos his taking his psle in a months time and still scoring 20+ for his prelims...
I feel you and I don't understand why your applications were rejected. Dysgraphia is consider part of Dyslexia and is a learning disabilties if I'm not wrong. Obviously the child is having difficulties in Chinese when you compare the big gap with the other subjects. I wonder what MOE meant by overall still okay? As long as overall can pass means okay? I hate it so much that Chinese dyslexia is not recognized in our local system while other countries are doing so much research and accepting the fact that there are children who are seriously unable to do Chinese.
Dont mind me asking how was your child's performance in other subjects? 60s? 70s?
I'm really worried now waiting for pyshist's report for my DD, not sure what difficulties DD has. However if fail to be exempted, no choice will still take standard Chinese. Was told that the gap for taking fountation subject is very huge unless your confident your child can score A* for the fountation subject, if not its still safer to take standard

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794269https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794269Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:17:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:14:59 GMT]]>Try to get permission to drop to B syllabus. That will make the load lighter. It will mean 1 less subject to play with in counting the aggregate score, but if he’s doing so badly, it’s not likely he will want to count it in anyway.


Even if you don’t think Foundation is worth the risk, why not take the extra time? If your child would benefit, why not? Frankly, if the child is doing badly and struggling, Foundation should make it easier overall by freeing up time for other subjects.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794266https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794266Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:14:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 02:20:09 GMT]]>

ammonite:


Oh no! i know it is too late now, but it is not a bad idea to look ahead in secondary school if he has to continue with Chinese. Did DAS only diagnose dysgraphia? Because severe dysgraphia will show up across all subjects, and usually the student will apply for extra time for all papers. But if he is doing well in other subjects without extra time, from outsider perspective, it must be manageable.
Is he at least doing foundation Chinese to reduce the burden?
Please tell him not to worry too much and just focus on his other three subjects.
Best of luck this Thursday and Friday!
Yup only dysgraphia.... extra time was one of the suggestion given by the psychologist... but we decided that he doesn't need it....
he is not taking FT Chinese... as we really have no idea what impact 3s1f subject combi does to his t-score....

I agree that outsiders always have the perspective that its manageable... but they don't see his struggles and our pain when you know he knows but can't put it down in words.... haiz
and its going to be worse in secondary school when he need to write more.... there's really not much we can do for him.... as tailored 1-1 specialist tutoring too taxing financially... he doesn't attend tuition for any subjects too....

mummy's English is weak too... so I can only drill his math and science and pray for high As.... :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794161https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794161Tue, 15 Aug 2017 02:20:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:48:49 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:
Ds has been failing Chinese since p2 from 40+ to 30+ until p5 and p6 currently consistently 20+..

Chinese teacher also feedback he trying very hard to no avail...
Das diagnosed him as dysgraphia and suggested mt exemption...
but moe rejected our application 3 times... saying his overall performance in other subjects are ok..
so we're doom cos his taking his psle in a months time and still scoring 20+ for his prelims...
Oh no! i know it is too late now, but it is not a bad idea to look ahead in secondary school if he has to continue with Chinese. Did DAS only diagnose dysgraphia? Because severe dysgraphia will show up across all subjects, and usually the student will apply for extra time for all papers. But if he is doing well in other subjects without extra time, from outsider perspective, it must be manageable.
Is he at least doing foundation Chinese to reduce the burden?
Please tell him not to worry too much and just focus on his other three subjects.
Best of luck this Thursday and Friday!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794133https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794133Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:48:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:37:10 GMT]]>Ds has been failing Chinese since p2 from 40+ to 30+ until p5 and p6 currently consistently 20+…

Chinese teacher also feedback he trying very hard to no avail…
Das diagnosed him as dysgraphia and suggested mt exemption…
but moe rejected our application 3 times… saying his overall performance in other subjects are ok…
so we’re doom cos his taking his psle in a months time and still scoring 20+ for his prelims…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794118https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1794118Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:37:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:30:08 GMT]]>Are teachers feedback very important in the application to be exempted from Chinese?

DD currently P4, failing Chinese since P1 from 40+ to only 20+ last SA1.
Other subjects are in 50 to 60 range, a drop from last year 60 to 70 range.
DD has difficulties in writing Chinese character.
During exams she is only able to do the MCQ, she is unable to do
other sections that require writing including compo.
Feedback from Chinese teacher that DD is trying very hard but she just can’t write, support Chinese exemption
Feedback from form teacher that DD is trying to improve, is putting in effort thus she don’t support Chinese exemption.
Form teacher is influencing Chinese Teacher now that its not a good option to drop Chinese, should take foundation Chinese instead. Chinese teacher is in dilemma now.
DS just finished a full assessment with an educational psychologist, psychologist said DD is definitely having difficulties and both psychologist and therapist recommend Chinese exemption.
If both teacher do not support Chinese exemption, will the chances of getting exemption be slim?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1793965https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1793965Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:30:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:51:27 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:

Chinese he can't write at all... So no point asking for extra time...
Anyway... Ds ask me to try again... He say try one last time...
If he cannot master the strokes /sizing at all, I think that is a very good reason for exemption! I will suggest providing writing samples from the last three years to make your point, especially dated samples of writing practices that show the efforts that had gone in. Best of luck, mummyscopio!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719764https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719764Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:51:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:07:22 GMT]]>

sky minecrafter:
mummyscopio:

Chinese he can't write at all... So no point asking for extra time... Anyway... Ds ask me to try again... He say try one last time...


Hi mummyscopio, When ur dc asks u in such a manner, I agree, u should do it. Try again, for him if not for anything. Good luck.

Yup... Going to...

The 2nd time I reapplied... The Psychologist help me write an additional supporting letter... But was rejected again...
This time I'm going to find the mp to write! (Have never done such a thing before... Not even sure if they are able to do anything to help... But then... For ds... We are going to try...)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719755https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719755Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:07:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:21:54 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:
Chinese he can't write at all... So no point asking for extra time... Anyway... Ds ask me to try again... He say try one last time...

Hi mummyscopio, When ur dc asks u in such a manner, I agree, u should do it. Try again, for him if not for anything. Good luck.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719751https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719751Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:21:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:37:38 GMT]]>

ammonite:
mummyscopio:

[quote=\"ammonite\"]
I see. If he cannot be exempted for CL, you may want to consider if extra writing time will make a difference for Chinese, especially for composition. Not finishing the composition is an immediate fail for that component. Why don't you ask the school to let him try doing CL with extra time for SA2 while you ponder over whether to try applying for the third time?

[/quote]Chinese he can't write at all... So no point asking for extra time...
Anyway... Ds ask me to try again... He say try one last time...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719744https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719744Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:37:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:03:35 GMT]]>

mummyscopio:
ammonite:

For dysgraphia, they will give extra writing time. Is he getting extra writing time in school now?


It's was one of the suggestions given in the Psychologists report... But we and ds didn't wasn't to make the request... He says he can finish on time... And so far he has... So we didn't plan to request for extra time... He just hope that he could not have to worry for his Chinese

I see. If he cannot be exempted for CL, you may want to consider if extra writing time will make a difference for Chinese, especially for composition. Not finishing the composition is an immediate fail for that component. Why don't you ask the school to let him try doing CL with extra time for SA2 while you ponder over whether to try applying for the third time?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719737https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719737Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:03:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:49:42 GMT]]>

ammonite:
For dysgraphia, they will give extra writing time. Is he getting extra writing time in school now?

It's was one of the suggestions given in the Psychologists report... But we and ds didn't want to make the request... He says he can finish on time... And so far he has... So we didn't plan to request for extra time... He just hope that he could not have to worry for his Chinese

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719733https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719733Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:49:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:49:34 GMT]]>

ammonite:
For dysgraphia, they will give extra writing time. Is he getting extra writing time in school now?

It's was one of the suggestions given in the Psychologists report... But we and ds didn't wasn't to make the request... He says he can finish on time... And so far he has... So we didn't plan to request for extra time... He just hope that he could not have to worry for his Chinese

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719732https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719732Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:49:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:30:41 GMT]]>For dysgraphia, they will give extra writing time. Is he getting extra writing time in school now?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719727https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719727Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:30:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 19 Sep 2016 07:50:35 GMT]]>My Son is in p5 this year… He was diagnosed with dysgraphia end of last year…

He is a very hardworking and bright boy… But has always struggled with Chinese (failing since p3, scoring 30-35%)… His English grades are dropping due to the "writing" issues but overall he’s still doing reasonably well…
In order to help him free up time to work on his difficulties… We tried applying for mtl exemption… But was rejected twice… They gave the reason that he was actually doing well in his other subjects… (Not lousy enough)
Should we try the third time?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719719https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1719719Mon, 19 Sep 2016 07:50:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:35:16 GMT]]>

12mum:
On the day (once weekly) I was helping out in school, I counted +-8 students from current p6 batch (unsure if all from same class or a few classes) exempted from Chinese.

p4 daughter got her exemption in may this year...her classmate got it in p1. then she told me another classmate is in the midst of her 'assessment' getting the exemption.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386806https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386806Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:35:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:29:41 GMT]]>On the day (once weekly) I was helping out in school, I counted ±8 students from current p6 batch (unsure if all from same class or a few classes) exempted from Chinese.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386795https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386795Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:29:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:14:02 GMT]]>I wonder how many Singaporean kids in our schools are exempted from their MT. daughter told me she counted and there are 16 (including her)…if what she said is true, is this number alarming?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386786https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386786Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:14:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 22 Sep 2014 23:50:49 GMT]]>

modernkiasu:
Hi Everyone, I have one boy studing here P4. Our family is from non Chinese speaking ASEAN country . Now my boy is taking Mandarin as mother tongue. He got quite stressful to study Mandarin and results are bad. Kindly advise if we can get exemption not to study Madarin as mother tongue but only ENGLISH and what would be PROS and CONS for his future education and carrer in Singapore. Your kind advise is really appreciated. Thanks.

You should check with MOE about whether your son qualifies for exemption. Once exempted, the MT requirements, eg. to get into university, are waived. However, your son may want to continue to study his mother tongue (where you come from) or some other language as having more than 1 language is always an advantage.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386776https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386776Mon, 22 Sep 2014 23:50:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MTL Exemption - Please advice on Mon, 22 Sep 2014 15:33:41 GMT]]>Hi Everyone, I have one boy studing here P4. Our family is from non Chinese speaking ASEAN country . Now my boy is taking Mandarin as mother tongue. He got quite stressful to study Mandarin and results are bad. Kindly advise if we can get exemption not to study Madarin as mother tongue but only ENGLISH and what would be PROS and CONS for his future education and carrer in Singapore. Your kind advise is really appreciated. Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386714https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386714Mon, 22 Sep 2014 15:33:41 GMT