<![CDATA[HMT in Secondary]]>Can you advise what are the pros and cons of taking HMT in Secondary. I desperately needed to consider carefully for my daughter as she is not interested in Chinese by managed to be offered HMT cos she is in the top 10% cohort. She scored A for MT and Pass for HMT in PSLE. Thanks :idea:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/7337/hmt-in-secondaryRSS for NodeTue, 21 Apr 2026 20:04:53 GMTFri, 04 Dec 2009 06:36:01 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 21 Dec 2020 04:07:31 GMT]]>

A Cool person\" post_id=\"2008540\" time=\"1608454776\" user_id=\"187808:[quote=\"A Cool person\" post_id=2008540 time=1608454776 user_id=187808]
Hi all, my DS took HCL in Primary school and got merit and a A for MTL, but was not offered HCL. Is it possible that if he does well in Secondary 1, the school will offer him to take HCL? Thanks all.[/quote]
Hi,

For students who are not eligible to take Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) in secondary school, secondary schools have the flexibility to offer HMTL to them. The school will assess the student's ability to handle the HMTL without affecting their performance in other subjects.

So you can check with your DS's school on whether he can take HCL in Sec 1 and if not, what is the school policy to take HCL in Sec 2 (for those who did not take in Sec 1).

All the best!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008592https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008592Mon, 21 Dec 2020 04:07:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sun, 20 Dec 2020 12:16:37 GMT]]>

millan\" post_id=\"108202\" time=\"1263567268\" user_id=\"4137:

finder:

If recall correctly, should be A* in MTL OR at least a merit in HMTL AND A in English for the top 11-30%


Hi all , following this thread, may I get some advice on getting kids to take HMT.

I opt my son for HMT. He agreed. But school came out with a rule that it is compulsory that to join chinese cultaral society. He readlly resists that as he agreed on the curricumlum but not extra ours on a CCA which will never be in his wish list for CCA and it take up time.. how ah..? I headache...

I do understand the rationale behind which is to get them connected to Chinese outside the class which I think is good. But how to him get interested.

Also Can I opt out HMT later on?

Find out first, from his Chinese HOD,

1) compulsory attendance of this bi-cultural lessons :
is it done during the normal curriculum school hours time

Or

Need to stay back, after school dismissed?

If need to stay back after school, how often ?

Once a week or twice a week ?

Duration, how long?


2) if you opt out of HMT, the consequences are

A) your son cannot apply the 2 points discount, from his L1R5, assuming that he is from O level track and


B)
the end result is, because he opt out, did not clear O-level (HMT), therefore

When he go JC1, he will still need to attend Mother tongue lessons. Is this ok with u ?

If ok, no issue.

Just that he got to spend time still studying for mother tongue, while still juggling the demanding heavy work load of his A level JC1 subjects

while his fellow JC1 classmates counterparts, who have already cleared O level (HMT) in Sec 4, no need to be burdenened anymore in Jc1 by mother tongue, a huge big contrast in terms of time management relief !


3)

if your son did not accept any DSA offer and this school insist upon extra Chinese cca involvement or compulsory bi cultural school activities after school, can consider Transfer your son out to another Sec school where don't impose such compulsory rules

How to get him interested ?

The balance of this school holiday, let him watch some Chinese DVD (ancient costumed Chinese movie) on

Water margin drama
(108 heros, liang San hao han) or

Shun zi bin fa drama or

Drama involved cao cao / kong ming zhu he liang, Liu bei brillant war fighting strategies or

The battle at Red cliff (example), to stimulate his interest in Chinese

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008551https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008551Sun, 20 Dec 2020 12:16:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:44:45 GMT]]>

A Cool person\" post_id=\"2008540\" time=\"1608454776\" user_id=\"187808:[quote=\"A Cool person\" post_id=2008540 time=1608454776 user_id=187808]
Hi all, my DS took HCL in Primary school and got merit and a A for MTL, but was not offered HCL. Is it possible that if he does well in Secondary 1, the school will offer him to take HCL? Thanks all.[/quote]
1) find out whether his Sec school offer HCL, in the first case, because

some schools do not offer HCL inside their own school premises.
Instead, they asked the HCL students to go to another Sec school after school dismissed twice a week, just to attend HCL lessons in the afternoon

Example

St Anthony Cannosian Sec schools asked her HCL students, the girls, to go to Ngee Ann Secondary to attend HCL lessons, after school dismissed.


2) assuming that your school does offer HCL lessons within in-house premises, ask them for the qualifying criteria at end of sec 1 results. This, you can approach your Chinese HOD.
Can approach either Chinese HOD or VP (Academic overall in charge). They will tell students what's their school requirements.


Usually, the stringent criteria are

A)

acquired at least minimum A1 grade (75 marks and above) and above, in your Sec 1 Standard Chinese (bu-hua )

If your school is lenient, maybe 70 marks for Sec 1 bu-hua, will do

A1 : 75 and above

A2 : 70 to 74 marks range

B3 : 65 to 69 marks

B4 : 60 to 64



B)

the rest of your other core subjects inclusive of Sec 1 (Maths, English, Science, plus your best Humanities subject), all must meet a certain minimum overall percentage, defined by your own school.

Although there are also other Sec 1 subjects like music, or Design and Technology or Food & Consumer Education taught and marks recorded inside your report card, however for Sec 1, these are not considered the core subjects.

Check it out,
because every Sec school minimum percentage, differ !

Some schools more lenient, asked for overall minimum 65 % will do, while other schools asked for minimum overall 70%, yet other schools even more demanding, minimum overall must be 75 % then can.

For Sec 1 Humanities, there are 3 -
History, Geography and English Literature.

out of these 3, choose your best highest scored Humanities subject. Some students find History more interesting than Geography, while other students, the other way round. Some, very powerful in English, appreciate poetry prose and Eng Literature ! Different students, different strength & passion

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008548https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008548Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:44:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sun, 20 Dec 2020 08:59:36 GMT]]>Hi all, my DS took HCL in Primary school and got merit and a A for MTL, but was not offered HCL. Is it possible that if he does well in Secondary 1, the school will offer him to take HCL? Thanks all.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008540https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2008540Sun, 20 Dec 2020 08:59:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:54:28 GMT]]>

finder:
If recall correctly, should be A* in MTL OR at least a merit in HMTL AND A in English for the top 11-30%


Hi all , following this thread, may I get some advice on getting kids to take HMT.

I opt my son for HMT. He agreed. But school came out with a rule that it is compulsory that to join chinese cultaral society. He readlly resists that as he agreed on the curricumlum but not extra ours on a CCA which will never be in his wish list for CCA and it take up time.. how ah..? I headache...

I do understand the rationale behind which is to get them connected to Chinese outside the class which I think is good. But how to him get interested.

Also Can I opt out HMT later on?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/108202https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/108202Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:54:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:56:10 GMT]]>

turquoise:
Caroline,


HMT is offered to those ranked top 10% OR those ranked top 11-30% if they score A* in MTL and at least a merit in HMTL. What's your dd's aggregate? Is she in the top 11-30%? If not, having an A in MTL or Merit in HMTL will not automatically qualify her for HMTL in Secondary school, although she can appeal at her posted school.
If recall correctly, should be A* in MTL OR at least a merit in HMTL AND A in English for the top 11-30%

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100851https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100851Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:56:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:19:30 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
finder, no need to be in l1r5 as long as scores a1-c6 for both hmt and english, can minus 2 points.



:thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99943https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99943Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:19:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:50:39 GMT]]>finder, no need to be in l1r5 as long as scores a1-c6 for both hmt and english, can minus 2 points.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99624https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99624Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:50:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:36:02 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
just to add,

for point 1, those who do well in HMT at o level may also continue taking chinese in jc since it's their strong subject and they would like to include in the points for uni entry.

for point 2, hmt students can minus 2 provided he/she scores a1-c6 for both hmt and english.
for point 2, to gain the -2 points, must the HMT be one of the L1R5 ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99397https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99397Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:36:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:08:34 GMT]]>Yes sleeping beauty. and HMT students will usually take the MT paper at the end of Sec3.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99141https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99141Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:08:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:03:12 GMT]]>

hesiew:
Hi Sleeping Beauty, spoke to my the teacher at S1 registration. The HMT \"O\" level exam consistute 90marks for Paper 1 (compo/letter) and 110marks for Paper 2 (language). No Oral for HMT. However, all HMT students will take MT \"O\" level exam at end of Sec 3. The MT paper will include Oral.

:thankyou: hesiew !!! I didn't realise HMT pupils had to sit for the 'O' level MT paper too. I presume this it true for all schools, including IP schools ? 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99137https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/99137Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:03:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:09:09 GMT]]>Hi Sleeping Beauty, spoke to my the teacher at S1 registration. The HMT "O" level exam consistute 90marks for Paper 1 (compo/letter) and 110marks for Paper 2 (language). No Oral for HMT. However, all HMT students will take MT "O" level exam at end of Sec 3. The MT paper will include Oral.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/98840https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/98840Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:09:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:59:29 GMT]]>

Jennifer:
hesiew:

Hi all, please help in my original questions, what are the advantages of taking HMT in Sec? I understand below 2 advantages, correct?

1) If you pass HMT at \"O\" level, no need to take Chinese in JC
2) HMT student get to -2 from the L1R5 aggregate

The incentives for taking HMT in sec sec is clearly spelled out in the booklet \"Choosing your sec sch part one\" under 2.6 on page 6.

Your understanding is accurate. Just take note of 2.6a where it is stated that priority for admission to a JC/MI will be given to a pupil with EL and HMT who scores the same number of points as one with EL and MT.

Hi ! Can anyone enlighten me as to the format of the 'O' level HMT paper? Is it 45% letter-writing/composition and 55% language paper? What about the ORAL component? No oral?? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/98008https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/98008Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:59:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:31:27 GMT]]>

ooptimizer:
Usually most schools do not make Literature compulsory cos it is harder to score. In fact, quite a few schools do not offer Literature at O levels.

It really depends on many factors too:
- Ability of cohort
- Availability of Lit teachers in the school
- Interest (if there's less than 10 students opting for it, school may not want to start it)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92552https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92552Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:31:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:09:19 GMT]]>Usually most schools do not make Literature compulsory cos it is harder to score. In fact, quite a few schools do not offer Literature at O levels.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92338https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92338Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:09:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:00:56 GMT]]>nope its not compulsory. can also take history or geography. or else if not very good in all these then can take combined humanities.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92321https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/92321Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:00:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:53:01 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
VitoRelax:


Jus wondering, is there such a thing as Higher English ?

Got. It's called Literature. 😉

That's a tough cookie to crack. Is it compulsory to take ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91794https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91794Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:53:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:55:06 GMT]]>

VitoRelax:

Jus wondering, is there such a thing as Higher English ?
Got. It's called Literature. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91599https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91599Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:55:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:50:55 GMT]]>

VitoRelax:

Jus wondering, is there such a thing as Higher English ?
nope.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91596https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91596Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:50:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:35:17 GMT]]>Just to confirm HMT is the same as CL1?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91495https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/91495Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:35:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:36:40 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
hesiew:

Hi all, please help in my original questions, what are the advantages of taking HMT in Sec? I understand below 2 advantages, correct?

1) If you pass HMT at \"O\" level, no need to take Chinese in JC
2) HMT student get to -2 from the L1R5 aggregate

just to add,
for point 1, those who do well in HMT at o level may also continue taking chinese in jc since it's their strong subject and they would like to include in the points for uni entry.

for point 2, hmt students can minus 2 provided he/she scores a1-c6 for both hmt and english.

Jus wondering, is there such a thing as Higher English ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89402https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89402Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:36:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:53:52 GMT]]>

hesiew:
Hi all, please help in my original questions, what are the advantages of taking HMT in Sec? I understand below 2 advantages, correct?

1) If you pass HMT at \"O\" level, no need to take Chinese in JC
2) HMT student get to -2 from the L1R5 aggregate
just to add,
for point 1, those who do well in HMT at o level may also continue taking chinese in jc since it's their strong subject and they would like to include in the points for uni entry.

for point 2, hmt students can minus 2 provided he/she scores a1-c6 for both hmt and english.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89340https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89340Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:53:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:06:51 GMT]]>When we enrol on Dec 23, must we decide whether to take HMT ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89267https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/89267Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:06:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to HMT in Secondary on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:45:56 GMT]]>Thank Jennifer for your reference. Sounds good to take the subject. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/86358https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/86358Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:45:56 GMT