Last Updated: 09 October 2024
Language
There are various programmes for secondary school students to further pursue their interest in a Mother Tongue Language or Third Language. Learn more about these programmes.
Mother Tongue Languages (MTLs)
All MTLs
HMTL offers students the chance to study Chinese, Malay or Tamil at a more advanced level. It is a four-year course leading to the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination in Secondary 4.
Who can take it
Students must get either:
- An overall PSLE Score of 8 or better
- An overall PSLE Score of 9 to 14 (inclusive) and attain AL 1 / AL 2 in MTL or Distinction / Merit in HMTL
- Schools will also have the flexibility to allow students who do not meet the above criteria to offer HMTL, if they are assessed to have exceptional ability in MTL and are able to do HMTL without affecting their performance in other subjects
Where to take it
Look up schools that offer:
The following schools and MOE Language Centres also function as centralised locations for students from schools that do not offer HMTL lessons:
Higher Chinese
- Ang Mo Kio Secondary School
- Beatty Secondary School
- Commonwealth Secondary School
- Ngee Ann Secondary School
Higher Malay
- Anderson Secondary School
- Bukit Panjang Government High School
- Raffles Institution
- Tanjong Katong Secondary School
- MOE Language Centre (Bishan)
Higher Tamil
The Chinese/Malay/Tamil Language Elective Programme at Secondary Level (CLEP-Sec/MLEP-Sec/TLEP-Sec) aims to nurture students to be effectively bilingual, attain a high level of language proficiency in Chinese/Malay/Tamil, and enhance their understanding of Chinese/Malay/Tamil literature.
This is a 2-year programme offered at upper secondary levels and students will be awarded a certificate of recognition after completion. Singapore Citizens are eligible for scholarships.
Learn more about the:
- Chinese Language Elective Programme at Secondary Level (CLEP-Sec)
- Malay Language Elective Programme at Secondary Level (MLEP-Sec)
- Tamil Language Elective Programme at Secondary Level (TLEP-Sec)
Who can take it
Students who scored at least an ‘A2’ grade in Chinese/Malay/Tamil Language or ‘B3’ grade in Higher Chinese/Malay/Tamil, or equivalent in their Secondary 2 examinations.
Where to take it
Chinese
BSP enable students to develop a bicultural orientation and have a deep understanding of China’s history, culture and contemporary developments, while relating to the West. Eligible students may also apply for a scholarship.
Who can take it
Students who qualify for Higher Chinese and are enrolled in the listed schools.
Where to take it
Malay
EMAS allows talented students to further their proficiency in the Malay language. It includes cultural programmes and creative writing workshops.
Who can take it
Students who qualify for Higher Malay at secondary level
Where to take it
Look up schools that offer EMAS.
These schools will also function as centralised locations for EMAS.
Tamil
NETP aims to nurture students who have an aptitude in the Tamil Language to acquire greater proficiency in the language and greater appreciation of the language, literature and culture.
Who can take it
Students who qualify for Higher Tamil at secondary level
Where to take it
The following schools conduct Tamil Language lessons outside curriculum time to students from schools which do not offer it:
- Bedok View Secondary School
- Changkat Changi Secondary School
- Chua Chu Kang Secondary School
- Guangyang Secondary School
- Jurongville Secondary School
- Queenstown Secondary School
- Sembawang Secondary School
- Seng Kang Secondary School
The following schools conduct both Tamil Language and Higher Tamil Language lessons outside curriculum time to students from schools which do not offer it:
Students can also take Tamil Language or Higher Tamil Language lessons at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre (UPTLC).
Third Language
Overview
- Eligible students can study French, Japanese, German or Spanish as a third language.
- All third languages are examinable subjects leading to the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination.
Who can take it
- Students must get a PSLE Score of 8 or better
- For Japanese, students must have taken Chinese / Higher Chinese in PSLE
- You or your child must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Where to take it
- MOE Language Centre (Bishan) for French, Japanese and German
- MOE Language Centre (Newton) for French, Japanese and Spanish
Overview
- Students whose Mother Tongue Language is not Malay can study Bahasa Indonesia as a third language.
- All third languages are examinable subjects leading to the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination.
Who can take it
- Students must get a PSLE Score of 24 or better.
- For Bahasa Indonesia, students must not have taken Malay or Higher Malay at PSLE.
- You or your child must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Where to take it
- MOE Language Centre (Bishan)
- Only students from Victoria School who study Bahasa Indonesia as a Third Language will do so at their own school.
Overview
- MSP is a language programme for students whose Mother Tongue Language is not Malay.
- All third languages are examinable subjects leading to the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination.
Who can take it
- Students must get a PSLE Score of 24 or better.
- Students must not have taken Malay or Higher Malay at PSLE.
Where to take it
Successful applicants will attend lessons either in the secondary schools listed below or at the Zonal Centre nearest to their secondary school.
- Anglican High School
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Secondary)
- Bukit Batok Secondary School (Zonal Centre)
- Cedar Girls’ Secondary School
- Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- Dunman High School (Secondary)
- Hwa Chong Institution (Secondary)
- MOE Language Centre (Bishan) (Zonal Centre)
- Nan Chiau High School
- Nan Hua High School
- Nanyang Girls’ High School
- Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
- Raffles Institution (Secondary)
- Tampines Secondary School (Zonal Centre)
- Victoria School
- Zhonghua Secondary School (Zonal Centre)
Overview
- CSP is a language programme for students whose Mother Tongue Language is not Chinese.
- All third languages are examinable subjects leading to the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination.
Who can take it
- Students must get a PSLE Score of 24 or better.
- Students must not have taken Chinese or Higher Chinese at PSLE.
Where to take it
Successful applicants will attend lessons either in the secondary schools listed below or at the Zonal Centre nearest to their secondary school.
- Cedar Girls' Secondary School
- Changkat Changi Secondary School (Zonal Centre)
- Clementi Town Secondary School (Zonal Centre)
- MOE Language Centre (Newton) (Zonal Centre)
RSP allows students to study Southeast Asia’s culture and contemporary society, along with Malay or Bahasa Indonesia as a third language. Students may also be eligible for a scholarship.
Who can take it
Non-Malay students with strong academic foundation and strengths in learning languages who pursue Malay (Special Programme) or Bahasa Indonesia as their Third Language.
Where to take it
Find out about other school-specific opportunities in secondary schools.