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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_117091" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-117091" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-117091" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-polina-kovaleva-8350747.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="526" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-polina-kovaleva-8350747.jpg 1280w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-polina-kovaleva-8350747-800x601.jpg 800w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-polina-kovaleva-8350747-320x240.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px">Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/letter-tiles-beside-food-8350747/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pexels</a></div>If Singapore students are eligible to take a &ldquo;third language&rdquo; in secondary school, should they seize the opportunity?
Many local parents prefer their children to focus on core subjects and extracurriculars, rather than taking on a third language, in addition to English and the Mother Tongue Language. This makes sense if a child lacks interest in languages, but if they show a genuine fascination with a particular culture, and are already learning foreign phrases through the media, it would be ideal to nurture that passion.
Below, we&rsquo;ll look at the eligibility requirements to take a third language in Singapore secondary schools, as well as the factors that your child should consider before making that commitment.
<h2>Who Can Take a Third Language in Local Schools?</h2>
To take French, German, Spanish, or Japanese as a third language in secondary school, your child <a href="https://www.moelc.moe.edu.sg/courses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">needs to</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Obtain a PSLE Score of 8 or better</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Have studied Chinese or Higher Chinese at the PSLE level (this only applies for taking Japanese)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, or have a parent who is a citizen or permanent resident</li>
</ul>
Other third language options are Arabic and Bahasa Indonesia, where the eligibility criteria is more lenient &mdash; children who achieve a PSLE score of 24 or better can opt for these as a third language.&nbsp;
Additionally, those not studying Chinese or Malay as their Mother Tongue Language can choose to pursue them as a third language if they&rsquo;ve secured a PSLE score of 24 or above.&nbsp;
Do also note that third language classes will not be held in your child&rsquo;s school. Instead, classes are conducted after regular school hours, and your child will have to travel to the Ministry of Education Language Centres, which are currently <a href="https://www.moelc.moe.edu.sg/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">located</a> at Bishan and Newton.&nbsp;
If your child should embark on this learning path, you should also be aware that a third language is a &ldquo;<a href="https://www.moelc.moe.edu.sg/faq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full curriculum subject</a>,&rdquo; where students will take the GCE O-Level Examination at the end of four years. Interested students can continue to take the language for the A-Level exams.
<h2>Is a Third Language the Right Choice for Your Child?</h2>
Beyond practical concerns such as commuting and scheduling, what factors should be weighed before your child enrols in a third language course in secondary school?&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s a list of key questions for you and your child to discuss:
&ldquo;Why do you want to learn a third language?&rdquo;
Discovering a third language can be an exciting journey. If your child&rsquo;s interest stems from a heartfelt desire to embrace new cultures, expand their horizons, or pave the way for interesting career prospects, these are all good reasons to proceed. But if you sense that your child simply wants to fit in or jump on a bandwagon, it might be worthwhile to pause and discuss the commitment and motivation required. Remember: genuine enthusiasm and purpose will lead to a more fulfilling and enduring learning experience for your child.
&ldquo;Will taking a third language help you to thrive?&rdquo;
Every teen&rsquo;s journey is unique. While some might find joy in mastering multiple languages and weaving them into their identity, others may feel that it&rsquo;s an added pressure. The key is ensuring that your teen not only has a keen interest, but also the resilience to persevere. If they lack either of these qualities, it might be a signal to reconsider and focus on areas where their passion and strengths truly lie.
&ldquo;How will you manage your time?&rdquo;
While learning a new language opens doors to enhanced cognitive skills, cultural immersion, and future opportunities, it also demands dedication and mental commitment. Ask your teen: Can you allocate sufficient time for this endeavour without being overwhelmed?&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s crucial that they don&rsquo;t sacrifice their well-being or neglect other academic and extracurricular commitments &mdash; think about what their schedule might look like next year, so that you can make an informed decision.
&ldquo;Would you prefer a more relaxed way of picking up a new language?&rdquo;
Unlike in the past, our children now have a wealth of resources for language learning. From apps like Duolingo to online courses, podcasts, and YouTube tutorials, your teen can easily find a method that aligns with their learning style and schedule. This flexibility might offer a less stressful and more enjoyable approach, allowing them to immerse in a new language at their own pace.
&ldquo;Are you open to adapting and facing potential challenges?&rdquo;
Language learning isn&rsquo;t just about memorising vocabulary and grammar rules. It often requires adapting to different cultural nuances, accents, and sometimes even altering one&rsquo;s thought process to understand certain concepts.&nbsp;
Is your teen ready to step out of their comfort zone, embrace mistakes, and continuously adapt in their learning journey? Having a growth mindset and seeing challenges as opportunities can greatly enhance their language learning experience and overall personal development.
If you believe your child will fare well at the PSLE and be presented with third language options, now&rsquo;s the opportune time to explore this. Immerse them in cultural experiences, from attending foreign film viewings to experiencing &ldquo;live&rdquo; international performances. Introducing them to language apps or community classes might also kindle their enthusiasm. Such exposure will not only ignite their curiosity, but also help pinpoint the language that truly aligns with their interests.&nbsp;

To chat with other parents about choosing a third language in secondary school, <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&amp;t=7055&amp;sid=6ca0e71a5340de8af4a6aa2efbc3a701" target="_blank" rel="noopener">join the discussion on the KiasuParents forum</a>!
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Should My Child Take a Third Language in Secondary School?

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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_90197" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-90197" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-90197" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1920" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1200w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-800x600.jpg 800w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-320x240.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/jan-antonin-kolar-wyBUWYgdO1s-unsplash-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@jankolar?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Jan Antonin Kolar</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div>Do you know much about the third language programme in local secondary schools? Or about the Language Elective Programme, the Bicultural Studies Programme, and the Regional Studies Programme?&nbsp;
These are all school-based programmes designed to develop our kids into well-informed global citizens &mdash; if your child is eligible for one of these programmes, he or she should consider going for it. And if you and your child are still mulling over suitable secondary schools, you may want to choose a school that offers these opportunities.
Read on to find out more!
<h4>Third Languages</h4>
Some background for those who&rsquo;re unaware about Third Language options in secondary schools and junior colleges: the <a href="https://www.moelc.moe.edu.sg/courses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ministry of Education Language Centre, or MOELC</a>, was set up in 1978 to offer French and Japanese as a Third Language for local students. Since then, the choices for Third Language have been expanded to include German, Malay, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, and most recently, Spanish.
Under the MOE system, these language classes are offered to eligible post-primary students at no charge. For now, those applying to study a Foreign Language as a Third Language must satisfy all three criteria:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Students must be ranked in the top 10% of their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) cohort.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">They must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, or the child of a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">They must have offered a Mother Tongue Language at the PSLE.</li>
</ol>
Whichever language your child chooses, the benefits are similar: learning a new language facilitates better interaction with native speakers, and puts one in a favourable position to secure education and job opportunities in countries where the language is commonly used.
However, it is never easy to learn a new language &mdash; no official statistics are available online, but anecdotally, you may have heard about students dropping out of the Third Language programme. Some parents and students may feel it&rsquo;s not worth the hassle, and that&rsquo;s understandable. But it&rsquo;s good to know that those who&rsquo;ve persisted have <a href="https://rafflespress.com/2016/02/20/please-mind-the-platform-gap-choosing-a-third-language-in-jc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">touted</a> <a href="https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/learning-third-language-ignited-their-passion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">its merits</a>.
If you should decide to let your child give it a shot, here&rsquo;s an insightful <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=11872#p11872" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">comment</a> by one of our members:
&ldquo;Language learning is entirely about one&rsquo;s engagement with the culture. It&rsquo;s not just a matter of memorizing words or having another line in the O-Levels cert. With this in mind, those of you who are going to learn a third language &mdash; get immersed in the culture if you haven&rsquo;t already. Also, if there is no opportunity to practise the language, you will surely not be able to learn it well.&rdquo;
Parents and students can visit our <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&amp;t=7055" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Third Language discussion thread</a> to seek advice and support.
<h4>Language Elective Programmes</h4>
In 2020, three language elective programmes were <a href="https://sg.news.yahoo.com/language-elective-programme-to-be-introduced-in-secondary-schools-from-2020-ong-ye-kung-022542747.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">introduced</a> in selected secondary schools:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">the <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/uploads/clep-sec-infosheet-students-2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP)</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">the <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/uploads/mlep-sec-infosheet-students-2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP)</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">the <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/uploads/tlep-sec-infosheet-students-2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tamil Language Elective Programme (TLEP)</a></li>
</ul>
The programmes aim to nurture upper secondary students to attain a high proficiency in the selected language, and enhance their understanding of related literature and culture. To be eligible, secondary students must have scored:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Grade B3 in Higher Chinese/Malay/Tamil; or</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Grade A2 in Chinese/Malay/Tamil</li>
</ul>
Entry to the programme is by invitation (via the school), and students can look forward to two signature activities organised by the MOE:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">A local camp with a focus on Mother Tongue Language-related interests.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">A one to two-week overseas immersion programme.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Students will also participate in activities such as creative writing workshops and language symposiums. However, do note that activities are subject to change while Covid-19 safe distancing restrictions are in place.
The language elective programmes will run for two years, and students will be awarded a certificate of recognition after completion. Students who are Singapore Citizens can apply for a<a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/fees-assistance-awards-scholarships/awards-scholarships/programme-scholarships/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> scholarship</a> to cover programme-related expenses.&nbsp;
There are also language elective programmes at junior college level, and students are encouraged to continue in the programme by reapplying &mdash;&nbsp;it is not mandatory.&nbsp;
For the most accurate information about these programmes, please refer to the <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/secondary/courses/express/electives/?term=Language&amp;subterm=Chinese%20Language%20Elective%20Programme%20at%20Secondary%20Level%20(CLEP-Sec)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MOE website</a>.&nbsp;
<h4>Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP)</h4>
This programme enables students to develop a &ldquo;bicultural orientation.&rdquo; What this means is that students learn about China&rsquo;s history, culture, and contemporary developments, while gaining an understanding about the complex relationship between the East and the West.
The secondary schools that are offering the programme in 2020 are:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://catholichigh.moe.edu.sg/secondary/academic-programme/bicultural-studies-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catholic High School</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://chijstnicholasgirls.moe.edu.sg/secondary/learning-at-st-nicks/key-programmes/talent-development/bicultural-studies-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls&rsquo; School</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://dunmanhigh.moe.edu.sg/academic/bicultural-studies-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dunman High School</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/talent-development/bicultural-studies-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hwa Chong Institution</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Nanyang Girls&rsquo; High School</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">River Valley High School</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://scgs.moe.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/JIP-Prospectus-2018.pdf#page=18" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Singapore Chinese Girls&rsquo; School</a></li>
</ul>
All students in the listed schools who qualify for Higher Chinese are eligible for the programme. For an updated list of schools that will continue to offer the programme, please refer to the latest <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">secondary school information booklet</a> on the MOE website.
Students who do well in this programme can read up about the <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/scholarships/moe-preu/bicultural-studies-programme-preu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bicultural Studies Programme Scholarship</a> offered at the pre-university level.
<h4>Regional Studies Programme (RSP)</h4>
This programme allows students to study Southeast Asian culture and contemporary society, along with Malay or Bahasa Indonesia as a third language. It is open to non-Malay students with an affinity for languages and a strong academic foundation.
You can <a href="https://www.rgs.edu.sg/holistic-education/talent-development/regional-studies-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">read more about</a> how the Regional Studies Programme is carried out at Raffles&rsquo; Girls School (Secondary). Other schools offering the programme in 2020 include:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.acsindep.moe.edu.sg/talent-development/regional-studies-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://cedargirlssec.moe.edu.sg/our-curriculum/talent-development-td/regional-studies-programme-rsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cedar Girls&rsquo; Secondary School</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Raffles Institution</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://victoria.moe.edu.sg/our-curriculum/talent-development-programme/regional-studies-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Victoria School</a></li>
</ul>
For an updated list of schools that will continue to offer the programme, please refer to the latest <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">secondary school information booklet</a> on the MOE website.
Students who do well in this programme can read up about the <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/scholarships/moe-preu/preu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Regional Studies Programme Scholarship</a> offered at the pre-university level.
&nbsp;
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