Singapore is a multicultural hub with people from all over the world patronising it, so it is no surprise that Singapore requires its citizens to not only know the English language but also master it. This is why the Singaporean Ministry of Education (MOE) has made English as one of the core compulsory subjects for students from primary education all the way to their O levels qualifications.
The O level English exams are, therefore, not just a mere test but are a major milestone in a Singaporean school student’s journey. An excellent performance in the O levels can open doors to numerous career opportunities both locally and internationally.
In this article, we will learn more about the O level English syllabus and help students understand it properly for them to score better in their exams.
An Overview of the English O Level Syllabus 2025
The O level English exams are an annual national examination taken by secondary students in Singapore. They are jointly administered by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) along with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and MOE.
After the change in syllabus pattern, the English language subject is now identified by the code 'Syllabus 1184.' The exam is divided into 4 papers, each testing a different skill—writing, speaking, reading, and listening. Students are expected to be proficient in all 4 areas.
Learning Objectives
According to SEAB, the English syllabus O level assesses candidates on their ability to:
1. Write effectively to suit purpose, audience, and context, using accurate and appropriate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
2. Show understanding of a variety of written and multimodal texts at the literal, inferential, and evaluative levels, including the use of language for effect.
3. Identify main ideas and details as well as synthesise and summarise information from a variety of texts (including multimodal texts).
4. Listen to a variety of audio texts and show understanding at the literal, inferential, and evaluative levels, including the identification of main ideas and details.
5. Present ideas and opinions fluently and effectively to engage the listener.
6. Engage in a discussion and communicate ideas and opinions clearly.
Structure
The exam is divided into 4 papers, each testing a different skill.
| Paper | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Writing | 70 | 35 |
| Paper 2 Comprehension | 50 | 35 |
| Paper 3 Listening | 30 | 10 |
| Paper 4 Oral Communication | 30 | 20 |
| Total | 180 | 100 |
Paper 1 – Writing (70 marks)
- Section A: Editing
- Section B: Situational writing
- Section C: Continuous writing
Paper 2 – Comprehension (50 marks)
- Section A: Respond to questions based on texts 1 and 2
- Section B: Respond to questions based on text 3
- Section C: Respond to questions based on text 4 with a summary writing task
Paper 3 – Listening (30 marks)
- Section A: Respond to a variety of listening tasks based on several audio recordings
- Section B: Note-taking exercise based on audio recordings
Paper 4 - Oral Communication (30 marks)
- Part 1: Planned response
- Part 2: Spoken interaction
A Detailed Study of the English O Level Syllabus
Let us take a closer look at the O level English syllabus 2025 as laid out by the MOE below.
Paper 1 Writing
Three sections in Paper 1 are part of the English syllabus O level.
Section A: Editing (10 Marks)
In this section, students are required to identify grammatical errors in a text. Follow these tips to minimise the likelihood of making errors.
- Check the tense of the sentences
- Read each of the sentences carefully. Do not rush through them!
- Practice as many editing questions before your examination
Section B: Situational Writing (30 marks)
In this portion, students have to write around 250 to 350 words on a given situation. They view a visual text and respond to questions related to it.
Section C: Continuous Writing (30 marks)
Students are given four topics, out of which they have to choose one and write about it. Their answers should be approximately 350 to 500 words. For this section, students should read and understand all the topics thoroughly. Based on their understanding, they should pick the topics they are most confident in and write about them.
Paper 2 Comprehension
Paper 2 pushes your reading comprehension skills to the limit! Here you’ll have to infer meaning, evaluate, and critically engage with viewpoints while mastering the art of summarising information. You will also employ the perfect answering techniques to score maximum marks.
Here is a screenshot example obtained from the GCE O-Level 1184 English Language Specimen Paper 2.
Paper 2 is divided into 3 parts:
Section A (5 marks)
It includes Texts 1 and 2, one of which includes visuals, and candidates must answer questions that test comprehension and language skills.
Section B (20 marks)
It contains Text 3, which is narrative-based, where candidates are required to answer questions that test comprehension and vocabulary as part of O level English syllabus 2025.
Section C (25 marks)
In this section, candidates answer a variety of questions based on Text 4, which is a non-narrative text. Additionally, candidates are required to write a summary of about 80 words (excluding the introductory words that will be provided).
Want to know how to score well in your O level English Paper? Check out our comprehensive guide packed with expert tips to help you score well in your O level English paper.
Paper 3 Listening
The Listening paper tests a speaker’s listening skills and is divided into 2 sections. It is of 30 marks and has an approximate duration of 45 minutes.
Section A (22 marks)
Candidates respond to a variety of listening tasks based on various audio recordings. Each recording is will be played twice.
Section B (8 marks)
Here, candidates listen to an audio recording and complete a simple note-taking exercise. Candidates will hear the recording only once.
The nature of texts has become more diverse. Here is a screenshot obtained from the GCE O-Level 1184 English Language Specimen Paper 3 Section B.
Paper 4 Oral Communication
The Oral Communication paper is worth 30 marks and has an approximate duration of 20 minutes per candidate, including 10 minutes of preparation time. This paper consists of two parts that may be thematically linked.
Part 1 Planned Response (15 marks)
Candidates are required to deliver a response of up to 2 minutes to a video clip and accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen.
Part 2 Spoken Interaction (15 marks)
Here, candidates engage in a discussion with the examiners on a topic broadly related to the video clip used in Part 1.
Latest Changes to the English O Level Syllabus
Starting in 2023, several changes have been made to the O level English syllabus. These changes have been made to align the syllabus more towards 21st-century skills and promote critical thinking among students.
The new syllabus goes beyond just testing academic English. Instead, there is greater emphasis on equipping students for 21st-century skills, like critical thinking and media literacy.
In the new syllabus, Situational Writing is focused more on a practical range of text types like emails, blog entries, reports, etc.
The comprehension paper has undergone significant change, with now there being a clear three-text structure: a visual, narrative, or descriptive text, and a non-narrative text.
In the Oral Communication (paper 4), the Reading Aloud section has been done away with. The Spoken interaction section follows the Planned response task, and they could be thematically linked.
| Skills | 1128 Syllabus | 1184 Syllabus (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | less real world examples | More real-world text examples |
| Essay options | Descriptive, Narrative etc | Descriptive, Discursive, Argumentative, Narrative etc |
| Comprehension | Questions based on only 1 text | Questions are now based on 2 texts |
| Listening | MCQ-based | Includes a wider variety of questions |
| Oral | Reading Aloud section removed | Spoken Interaction and Planned Response are interlinked |
| Emphasis | Grammar and accuracy | Stress on 21st century skills and critical thinking |
How to Prepare for Your O Level English Exam?
The English language is one of the critical subjects for your O-level qualifications. Doing well in your O level English exams will ensure you have a higher chance of getting the course you want in junior college or Poly.
Familiarise Yourself with the Syllabus
To do well in your O level English exam, you need to familiarise yourself with the English syllabus O level. By reviewing the syllabus thoroughly and preparing accordingly, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and ace O levels.
Time Management
Having proper time management skills is a must for scoring well. Without proper time management, you lose the chance of scoring well in your paper. Be aware of the time allotted. If you get stuck on a particular question, avoid lingering too much over it. Instead, move on to ensure you have sufficient time to answer the rest of the questions.
Having a Proper Strategy
Having a proper strategy is necessary when studying the O level English syllabus 2025.
- For example, annotating questions can help you identify and understand the critical terms correctly.
- Read your questions properly, especially comprehension questions, so that you can answer them accurately.
A Superprof tutor can guide you on the tools and strategies that best suit your needs and learning style.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with all examinations, practice makes perfect. Be sure to attempt as many past-year question papers as you can get your hands on. While you do this, make sure you time yourself so that you can train yourself to answer questions within the allocated time.
How Superprof can Guide You with O Level English Syllabus 2025
English is undeniably one of the most critical subjects for O-level students in Singapore. While many students assume they don’t need a tutor for the language examination, not doing so can be a costly mistake.
Superprof is a globally acclaimed platform that connects students from across the world to a large talent pool of experienced and qualified English tutors. Each tutor listed on their platform is verified by Superprof, so you can rest assured that the tutor you are hiring is the best.
Our tutors provide personalised guidance and can tailor their teaching approach to your specific needs and learning style, ensuring you get the most out of every lesson. Apart from providing useful and valuable resources to improve your writing, comprehension, and listening skills, they also provide constructive feedback to help you improve in your weak areas.
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