<![CDATA[Options post psle for kids very weak in MT]]>My girl chinese is also borderline and the rest of her subjects are like 75-90 range. I am worried about her MT but decided not to let her go for DSA. I think her weakness is oral, compo and compre so we have been targeting on these areas more. I hope she can secure at least a B.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/82457/options-post-psle-for-kids-very-weak-in-mtRSS for NodeSat, 09 May 2026 20:13:52 GMTFri, 24 Jul 2015 08:10:15 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Fri, 24 Jul 2015 03:45:43 GMT]]>This is a gentle reminder to all parents of kids in Primary School. Don’t wait too long to address the MT problem when you see your child is struggling with the language. He/she will suffer from poor PSLE results as MT is one of the core subjects.


If possible, try to expose your child at preschool age to MT by going for enrichment classes.

I speak from personal experience…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1545605https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1545605Fri, 24 Jul 2015 03:45:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:31:31 GMT]]>I just saw this thread, I am also in the same boat as you all.


My DS will take PSLE this year and I am worried sick about his MT. He was good at it in Kindy, but from P1 onwards, consistently he has failed - I think the highest he has got was high 40s. He is very good in the other 3 subjects scoring high A or even A*.

I also tried the DSA route, but unfortunately the school he was interested in, he didn’t make it to the next round, so we’re only now relying on PSLE.

My question is how much does the MT impact scores if say the child gets high A/A* in the other subjects. Also if the child fails MT at PSLE, will that automatically put them into Normal stream, even if other subjects are A/A*?

Thanks
Very worried mum

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1544548https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1544548Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:31:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 26 May 2015 08:42:37 GMT]]>

Khyber:
What is drawback of having MT exempted? My DD is having the exact same issue as the TS. We are thinking of getting her exempted but some friends said that if she is exempted now she will not be able to go to JC and has to take Poly route. Is this true?

The drawback will be that the child will not know her MT, or be very weak in it. That can be a disadvantage when trying to get into a SAP school, and later in the job market. I'm not sure if exempted kids can be in a SAP school, but even if they can, they will be one language \"short\" compared to their schoolmates. They will also have one subject fewer to count for O level aggregate. Students exempted from MT can get into JC and university - they need not only go to Poly.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1513403https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1513403Tue, 26 May 2015 08:42:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 26 May 2015 03:11:36 GMT]]>What is drawback of having MT exempted? My DD is having the exact same issue as the TS. We are thinking of getting her exempted but some friends said that if she is exempted now she will not be able to go to JC and has to take Poly route. Is this true?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1513152https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1513152Tue, 26 May 2015 03:11:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:08:58 GMT]]>Have you speak to your child’s teacher and seek their advice.


My colleague’s son get exempted from MT last year from PSLE, as he consistently scored very low (20-30 marks) for all his MT exam.

This is done through school’s recommendation and no psychologist report needed.

Alternative would be to DSA to one of his ideal secondary school, in which MT weightage would not be taken into consideration.

The only issue now would be "time factor".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496825https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496825Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:08:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:43:44 GMT]]>staypositive,

I understand how you feel. Ds is just like your son with regards to his academic unevenness. However we have been aware of his learning difficulties since preschool. At his latest review, ed psych recommended exemption which definitely means he can now aim much higher for PSLE. Nonetheless, my choices previously were:

1) to prepare for a low PSLE score and shortlist local schools based on that
2) DSA
3) consider international schools

With these in mind, I have been doing school research since end of P4, and also started preparing portfolio for him for DSA, as well as prep him mentally for the process (ie possible rejection).

At P6, time is somewhat limited so if you do want your child assess for exemption as janet pointed out, private is way faster. But even then, really limited time now with unknown outcome as it has to go through at least 2 specialists, school, and then MOE. Your son will have to continue preparing for CL just in case it was rejected.

I would think the easiest path now is to consider DSA based on his strengths. If you intend to, now is the time to start shortlisting all the schools to understand what they are looking for vis-à-vis your child’s profile and put a portfolio together.

But if you do not want to have any potential emotional roller-coaster in the run-up to PSLE, then just shortlist attainable schools and find a few you feel good about.

good luck![/quote]

Thanks, ammonite.
Since P3, we brought DS to visit one or two schools each year during their open house. We may try to DSA too. DS did win a national competition before under his school, but we are not sure how much that will help him. Academic results still play a major role, though.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496375https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496375Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:43:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:33:32 GMT]]>

janet88:
hi staypositive,

my daughter is exempted from MT. she received the exemption from MOE last year as she has a language impairment.

we brought her to the polyclinic to get a referral. for kids 7 and above, they will be referred to NUH Child Development Unit...the wait to see the child psychologist can be rather long...you can ask the polyclinic doctor to expedite since it is urgent.

when you do get the appointment at NUH, the child psychologist will assess the child and refer you to see the speech therapist...to get the MT exemption, 2 assessments have to be done - Language report and IQ test. The doctor or speech therapist will ask you to consider going private as the process is long. after the tests have been done, the reports will be submitted to MOE for their panel of specialists to assess. I waited 3 months to get that confirmation.
janet88:
hi staypositive,
when I brought my daughter to the polyclinic doctor, he asked me to consider going private...but affordability is the main issue.
i am considering DSA too. most importantly, i have lowered my expectations...so a pass now makes us happy and achieving higher is a bonus.

Janett88, thanks for sharing on the MT exemption.
We did consider this before*, but looking at the bigger picture, it will indeed be a lifeskill lost.

*DS was almost diagnosed as hearing impaired when he was a newborn.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496371https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1496371Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:33:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 05:19:07 GMT]]>If I am not wrong, foundation is only recommended when a child fails two subjects or more at very dismal marks. Kids like mine and TS who are strong in three subjects and borderline at one will not be recommended for it.


In any case, it is not a straight forward decision and I agree it is a loss. We can only weigh the various factors and make a choice.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485417https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485417Sat, 04 Apr 2015 05:19:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:31:33 GMT]]>I noticed TS only mentioned MT, not Chinese.


For kids who have learning difficulties in MT, I wonder if the other option of taking it as a foundational subject is a better choice.

No doubt taking it at foundational level will impact T-score, but being illiterate in one’s MT is to me, one life skill lost. Of course, I’m making a big assumption that kids with learning difficulties in MT can still cope with the subject at foundational level. I might be wrong.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485352https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485352Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:31:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:25:31 GMT]]>hi staypositive,

when I brought my daughter to the polyclinic doctor, he asked me to consider going private…but affordability is the main issue.
i am considering DSA too. most importantly, i have lowered my expectations…so a pass now makes us happy and achieving higher is a bonus.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485346https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485346Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:25:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:11:46 GMT]]>

staypositive:
Thank you, parents, for your encouragement.


I guess we just have to push on. With just another 6 months to go, we are supporting him as best as we could, although deep down, I have mentally prepared myself, and himself on what the outcome may be.

It is the process that matters, the attitude, resilience and perseverance that will stand him in good stead through his life. Not the PSLE score.
staypositive,
I understand how you feel. Ds is just like your son with regards to his academic unevenness. However we have been aware of his learning difficulties since preschool. At his latest review, ed psych recommended exemption which definitely means he can now aim much higher for PSLE. Nonetheless, my choices previously were:

1) to prepare for a low PSLE score and shortlist local schools based on that
2) DSA
3) consider international schools

With these in mind, I have been doing school research since end of P4, and also started preparing portfolio for him for DSA, as well as prep him mentally for the process (ie possible rejection).

At P6, time is somewhat limited so if you do want your child assess for exemption as janet pointed out, private is way faster. But even then, really limited time now with unknown outcome as it has to go through at least 2 specialists, school, and then MOE. Your son will have to continue preparing for CL just in case it was rejected.

I would think the easiest path now is to consider DSA based on his strengths. If you intend to, now is the time to start shortlisting all the schools to understand what they are looking for vis-à-vis your child's profile and put a portfolio together.

But if you do not want to have any potential emotional roller-coaster in the run-up to PSLE, then just shortlist attainable schools and find a few you feel good about.

good luck!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485341https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485341Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:11:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:34:01 GMT]]>hi staypositive,

my daughter is exempted from MT. she received the exemption from MOE last year as she has a language impairment.

we brought her to the polyclinic to get a referral. for kids 7 and above, they will be referred to NUH Child Development Unit…the wait to see the child psychologist can be rather long…you can ask the polyclinic doctor to expedite since it is urgent.

when you do get the appointment at NUH, the child psychologist will assess the child and refer you to see the speech therapist…to get the MT exemption, 2 assessments have to be done - Language report and IQ test. The doctor or speech therapist will ask you to consider going private as the process is long. after the tests have been done, the reports will be submitted to MOE for their panel of specialists to assess. I waited 3 months to get that confirmation.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485316https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485316Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:34:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:11:00 GMT]]>Thank you, parents, for your encouragement.


I guess we just have to push on. With just another 6 months to go, we are supporting him as best as we could, although deep down, I have mentally prepared myself, and himself on what the outcome may be.

It is the process that matters, the attitude, resilience and perseverance that will stand him in good stead through his life. Not the PSLE score.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485296https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1485296Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:11:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:01:00 GMT]]>Do not be too discouraged. The national statistics show that 80% of those taking Chinese as MT score A/A*. There have been cases where students who consistently fail at the school level manage an A at PSLE.


At the secondary school level, students will take at least 7 subjects, of which only 1 is MT. Which means MT will feature less prominently in the overall scores. Furthermore, at O levels, you don’t need to take your MT into the calculation of your L1R5. You should however aim to secure a pass to get into JC.

If your child’s MT is really bad, there is an option to take MT at syllabus B level, which is simpler. Something for you to consider.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483902https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483902Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:01:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:43:29 GMT]]>

zbear:
Jennifer:

Maybe your child has a learning disability for Chinese which MOE can grant an exemption?



I think so too. Maybe Janet can give advice on how to get MT exemption as her dd just got exempted.

bbmom's ds is also exempted from MT.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483895https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483895Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:43:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:57:52 GMT]]>

Jennifer:
Maybe your child has a learning disability for Chinese which MOE can grant an exemption?


I think so too. Maybe Janet can give advice on how to get MT exemption as her dd just got exempted.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483869https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483869Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:57:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:29:38 GMT]]>Maybe your child has a learning disability for Chinese which MOE can grant an exemption?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483859https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483859Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:29:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:02:27 GMT]]>Hi,


For MT, as my understanding with tuition teacher. Maybe you can work in the area of oral and listening comprehension as it comprise higher %. For paper 2 look through to understand what result in the lower score and work from that area to ensure scoring. I am not quite sure whether it work on your son. As sometime tuition did help but we still work with them to strengthen the understanding. No worry, we just need work harder to ensure they did better. All the best to your child.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483848https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483848Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:02:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Options post psle for kids very weak in MT on Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:24:28 GMT]]>Have you considered what is his interest? Is it possible for him to try DSA into a school of his preference via other means like CCA, music or sports or even academics like his Maths or Science?


You can also continue his secondary school education in any of the secondary schools he is posted to. At O levels, MT will feature less prominently. If he scores well, he can still proceed to A levels or a Poly course of his choice. There are many cases of late bloomers success in secondary schools too.

There are many roads to Rome, and it is not the end of the road just because someone has missed the speeding bus in P6 as you said. I’ve seen many cases of success, as long as the kid is determined and focused.

All the best to your son for his PSLE this year!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483762https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1483762Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:24:28 GMT