ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2134531\" time=\"1717297591\" user_id=\"3:

I wouldn't call English a science, but you are right about giving examiners what they are looking for.

However, if that is all studying English is all about, then it will be very boring. I remember I used to hate going for English lessons to learn about sentence structures, grammar, etc. Granted that they are essential, but I feel learning how to use language to express oneself in unique ways is a critical aspect that is often ignored. The thing I liked about English lessons is doing compositions, where the student is given more scope to develop his creativity. If students are forced to memorize passages to reproduce during examinations, then I think we have to rethink our strategy of teaching English.

D3@n\" post_id=\"2134488\" time=\"1717167518\" user_id=\"124020:

English is a Science. You just need to know what the examiners are looking for and give them what they want.
...

Infoseeker\" post_id=\"2134386\" time=\"1716946225\" user_id=\"60487:

Hi - My son is taking his O Levels this year. While all his subjects he is scoring A1, English is an area where he is struggling with. HE keeps getting B3/B4 despite his best attempts. Some parents have suggested that the marking in school English exams is a bit stricter than that at O-Level exams since O Level English papers go to UK for marking. nd hence we should keep at it and not worry. But we are not feeling confident. Any views? Do the school exams and prelims marked more conservatively than actual O-Level ?

Infoseeker\" post_id=\"2134386\" time=\"1716946225\" user_id=\"60487:

Hi - My son is taking his O Levels this year. While all his subjects he is scoring A1, English is an area where he is struggling with. HE keeps getting B3/B4 despite his best attempts. Some parents have suggested that the marking in school English exams is a bit stricter than that at O-Level exams since O Level English papers go to UK for marking. nd hence we should keep at it and not worry. But we are not feeling confident. Any views? Do the school exams and prelims marked more conservatively than actual O-Level ?

Infoseeker\" post_id=\"2134386\" time=\"1716946225\" user_id=\"60487:

Hi - My son is taking his O Levels this year. While all his subjects he is scoring A1, English is an area where he is struggling with. HE keeps getting B3/B4 despite his best attempts. Some parents have suggested that the marking in school English exams is a bit stricter than that at O-Level exams since O Level English papers go to UK for marking. nd hence we should keep at it and not worry. But we are not feeling confident. Any views? Do the school exams and prelims marked more conservatively than actual O-Level ?

mumzie\" post_id=\"2133932\" time=\"1715822172\" user_id=\"93296:

Hi do you give tuition for Sec 1 English?
Could you please PM me the details, thanks.

ms-kay\" post_id=\"2103433\" time=\"1680171002\" user_id=\"200760:

Hi! If you want to improve your grades, the most important thing to do is identify your weakness. Which components or sections of the English papers are consistently pulling your grades down? I personally give English & English Literature tuition (other subjects as well), and most commonly my students seem to be weaker in Summary writing, for Paper 2 or generally writing/essay writing for Paper 1. If you have specific weakness, work especially hard on those sections you consistently score low in, instead of spreading your energies and effort equally across all sections.

In brief, my advice is:
1) Identify your weakness
2) Practice and practice
3) Get help
I'd say intuitively, your school teacher should be the first person you should turn to for help - arrange for consultations, get their opinions on why you are doing poorly, and what you need to do to bring up your grades. Thereafter, ask them if they would be receptive to the idea of helping you mark/review your extra work & practice attempts, which will allow you to chart your improvement progress based on their feedback.
If your school teachers are of no help, you may have to consider tuition. If tuition is not financially viable, it will definitely still be possible on your own, just work harder.

Also, as another user stated, there is not much need to read current affairs/ news specifically. Especially if it is unenjoyable and dreadful to you. Personally I've always had a natural flair for English, which I attribute to my consumption of novels, storybooks, and being exposed to good English-speaking conversationalists within my household. Just read anything that interests you. Young adult novels, online lifestyle blogs, even food blogs. Any exposure to English and Language will help you, and if it is something you enjoy, you can consume way more material and continually expand your vocabulary, learn how to use words and phrases in context, and improve your grammar & add variety to your sentence structure.

If you put your heart to it, you can get an A1. Hard work and determination are critical, and you seem to have it in you.

To tell my success story, I was offered, and took up \"O\" Level Higher Chinese in Sec 3 (Never took HCL before, was in standard Chinese all my life). It was horrid and hard. I got E8 throughout, max C6, but I did a Paper 1&2 for HCL on my own every single week, and arranged weekly consultation with my HCL teacher who would review and comment on my work. I still got C6 throughout my all internal exams despite all these efforts. But I just toughed it out, kept working hard, and it paid off. Got an A2 for HCL at O Levels, did better than most of my peers who took HCL since P5. Got 10 As (distinctions) for O Levels too. It really goes to show that if you are determined enough, not much can stop you.

My O Levels was a few years back, my results got me into the top JC, and I am now a Uni Undergraduate-Student Tutor. I teach English and English Literature & many other subjects so I'm rather well positioned to give the above advice i guess!

Just believe in yourself, work hard, and the results will naturally follow. All the Best!

Kay (Uni Undergrad & Student Tutor)

D3@n\" post_id=\"2072593\" time=\"1656577714\" user_id=\"124020:

Thanks for your interest. PM sent.

arale1012\" post_id=\"2119464\" time=\"1695512572\" user_id=\"100443:

Anyone has contact for D3@n?

chowchow\" post_id=\"2096287\" time=\"1675084009\" user_id=\"6290:

Hi, Can you PM me your contact? Thanks.

D3@n\" post_id=\"2067828\" time=\"1652788094\" user_id=\"124020:

There are so many aspects to the four English papers that I am not able to cover them all here.
So I'll just provide some information on the two components that you highlighted. And even then I can only cover certain areas given the time and space.

There are different styles of essay questions that can come out for Composition - Descriptive, Personal Recount/Reflective, Discursive and Argumentative. Each essay type has a different essay structure and the focus a little different. The first two require a stronger vocabulary and description, on top of a sensitivity to details and emotions. The latter two will be better suited for students who are more methodical and structured in their thinking process as these essays are more based on the points they present. Bombastic words, poetic usage or emotive language are not required or appropriate here. So knowing one's own strengths and what question type suits one is crucial in the selection of one's choice, this choice will largely determine one's outcome.

For comprehension there are two different types of passages - the narrative and the factual. Most students perform badly for the first, as the question type leans more towards inference, language use, tone and effect. So students who read Literature will have an edge. Knowing the different question types and the way to answer them will make the task less intimidating. Of course, students need to understand the passage well in the first place to be able to answer the questions effectively. So having a strong vocabulary and good reading habits will surely help.

Hope this helps.