PROGRAMMES

Lower Sec O Level English Singapore

Lower Sec O Level English – New

Our Lower Secondary level programme bridges the gap between the PSLE and secondary school English. Moving up to secondary level English requires a different writing style and a lot more maturity of thought. What makes it worse is that there isn’t a specific textbook for English to study, and so how should students tackle secondary level English?

How is secondary school English different from PSLE English?

Less narrative writing and more personal recounts are required for essay writing
Introduction of expository and argumentative writing
Comprehension passages contain various text types
Content knowledge of some social and current affairs is needed

The AWS Curriculum provides

Frequent practice on editing (worth 10m) for Paper 1
Introduction to expository writing with structured paragraphs
Teaching of specific content and examples on frequently tested essay writing topics
Essay topical content notes and essay outlines
Regular mock tests to give students a gauge of their progress
Whatsapp class chat group for students to post their ‘urgent’ queries

WHAT A LOWER SEC ‘O’ LEVEL STUDENT GETS EACH WEEK

What is included	How it works
A weekly lesson	Taught at the Winstedt Road centre. The week cycle starts on a Monday, across four terms of eleven lessons a year
Editing and grammar practice	Frequent practice on the editing component, which carries ten marks in Paper 1, alongside short focused work on grammar rules
Essay work with topical content notes	Thematic notes on the topics tested most often — social media, teenage issues, discrimination and environmental issues — taught with essay outlines and model samples for expository and argumentative writing
Comprehension across every question type	Practice on Comprehension A, B and C as they appear in the paper, taught question type by question type
Oral conversation practice	Covered every three weeks, supported by current affairs discussion built into the weekly lesson
A WhatsApp class chat group	Students post urgent queries between lessons and reach their tutor directly, rather than waiting for the next class
Mock tests under timed conditions	Run once a term for Terms 1 to 3, with detailed individual feedback and additional consultation for students who still struggle
Targeted workshops	Language workshops on common written errors, grammar and syntax, plus Literature workshops for students taking Literature at lower secondary

PROGRAMME DETAILS

1. All-round curriculum coverage

Frequent practice on Editing & Grammar
Comprehension question types on Compre A, B and C in the exam
Introduction to expository writing with structured paragraphs
Teaching of specific content and examples on frequently tested essay writing topics
Essay samples to model the writing of expository and argumentative essays.
Oral conversation practice

2. Organised structured notes

It is a misconception to think students can’t study for English. Expository essays at lower secondary require content ideas and an understanding of social issues. We provide thematic topical content notes on topics such as social media, teenage issues, discrimination and environmental issues. Essay outlines are taught to show students how they can apply these ideas.
Content ideas, current affairs: Integrated into our lessons We emphasise the value of general knowledge and so, we integrate current affairs in our lessons. We hope to instill a curiosity about the world and develop our students’ maturity and world view. This would help with their essay writing and oral conversation.
Vocabulary Building & Grammar Rules Short, focused lessons on high-frequency IP vocabulary and grammar rules improve language accuracy. Tutors integrate these into reading and writing tasks. Students learn how to apply the words into their essay writing. This boosts their overall language fluency and elevates their essay writing.

3. Targeted Workshops

AWS holds workshops to target ‘problem areas’ that students have, or Literature workshops to give students taking Literature at lower secondary an added advantage.

We conduct specific language workshops that help correct common language errors in writing and teach students the rudiments of grammar and syntax.

4. Mock Tests

Pre-exam mock tests are organised across the board to give students a practice run under timed conditions. Detailed feedback is given to individual students, and additional consultation would be given to those who may still struggle to do well.

5. Our tutors: always approachable & available

Our tutors are young and dynamic, in tune with what the current Gen Z are like. At AWS, we go by the belief that as tutors, we are here to serve the needs of our students who have entrusted their academic goals to us. Our tutors strive to be approachable and available because we recognise that not every concern can be addressed during the limited class time we have.

Our tutors are in close contact with the students, with a Whatsapp class chat group so that anyone can easily post a question or ask their tutors directly.

PROGRAMME DETAILS

Regular English Lessons

Lesson Duration: 2 hours

A focus on helping your child to build confidence in reading, writing and speaking helps your child enjoy all aspects of learning with a safe space to ask questions and explore interests.

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WHAT LOWER SEC ENGLISH PAPERS ASK FOR — AND WHAT HAPPENS IN CLASS

What the paper asks for	What happens in the AWS lesson
Editing Ten marks in Paper 1, testing grammar accuracy against a short passage	Frequent editing practice is set every term, with grammar rules taught in short focused blocks and then applied back into the student’s own writing
Continuous writing Less narrative than at PSLE, more personal recount, with expository and argumentative writing newly introduced	Structured paragraphing is taught explicitly, supported by topical content notes, essay outlines and model samples of expository and argumentative essays
Comprehension Sections A, B and C, drawing on several text types rather than the single narrative passage of PSLE	Each question type is taught separately, so a student knows what a question is testing before deciding how to answer it
Grammar, vocabulary, synthesis and transformation Tested directly as marks on the paper	Short focused lessons on grammar rules and high-frequency vocabulary, integrated into reading and writing tasks rather than drilled in isolation
Oral A conversation that expects a view on social and current affairs, not only fluent reading	Oral conversation practice runs every three weeks, and current affairs are folded into ordinary lessons to build the general knowledge the conversation depends on

Interested in our Secondary classes? Contact us.

Meet The Teachers

MR AIMAN FADHIL

MS ANGELA CHAN

MS EVELYN SEE

MS JOEY CHIEW

MS JUSTINE CHIN

MS MELISSA EU

testimonials

Chloe Ooi

parent of P5 SCGS (bootcamp attendee)

Short and concise introduction to composition writing with important tips given along the way. Many humourous moments which reinvorce learning unwittingly. A thoroughly enjoyable sessions with kids begging for more thereafter!

Lee Wen Kym

Nanyang Girls' High School & HCI (College)

Ms Lala is an excellent LA & GP teacher. Prior to joining AWS, I struggled to achieve an A2 in Language Arts. However, since I have had the privilege of being taught by Ms Lala I have achieved A1 comfortably and consistently throughout my 4IP year. What is most remarkable about Ms Lala is that she goes a step further, to help students who need to clarify any doubts they may have and is able to provide clear explanations. Ms Lala is a caring and compassionate teacher who is enthusiastic during lessons and constantly adapts her lessons to fit students’ needs. I am extremely appreciative of the support that AWS has provided, and more grateful still to have a teacher as experienced, professional and nurturing as Ms Lala.

Nicole Tham

Parent

For me, language has always been something very hard to teach. Ms Eu however is able to turn this subject that is boring to many children into lessons that are both interesting and challenging (in particular for my son who is both weak and disinterested in languages). What impresses me most about AWS’ teachers is their passion and love for the students, frequently spending extra hours beyond the usual lessons to ensure that the kids understand their topics and to help them develop holistically. This is admirable because not many schools go beyond the books and lessons to mentor the children. My children are very blessed to have such teachers and I am very thankful.

Alison Wong

HCI cohort 2018

Ms See is a teacher who not only made GP much less daunting, but also made learning about current affairs and the world around us interesting and exciting. She is a very caring teacher as well. She was always willing to take time out to go through any content that we were unclear about and to help us to improve on our different skills. I looked forward to her lessons every week as I knew that I would learn a lot, while having a very good time! Ms See is someone who became not just a tutor but also a friend .

Harisankar Nambi

2023 A level Cohort; Joined in 2022 'B' Grade for GP 2023

Ms See is a great and approachable teacher whom I’m very comfortable to confide in when I have questions. She provides vivid examples whilst answering the question to enhance my ability to comprehend. Even when it is time consuming, Ms See takes the time to ensure that my question is answered properly. She also takes the initiative to keep us all up to date with the recent developments around the world which is very insightful and helpful as they are all very useful GP examples. There is someone to explain world politics to me! Her lessons are highly enriching and very informative for everyone. I’m glad to have picked Ms See to help me with my GP for A levels.

Jareath Tan

2023 A level Cohort; joined in 2022 'A' Grade for GP 2023

The GP lessons at AWS were structured in a helpful way because we are taught how to answer specific questions and understand the different question types. There are content notes and skill based tutorials to help me practise the application of ideas. I understood how to approach GP, which often tends to be difficult because there is no one textbook or set of notes to rely on. Finally, I personally feel that the tuition has improved my ability to answer the essay questions properly.

Augustine Chia

HCI Cohort 2016

Ms See is a very humourous teacher who never fails to lift the spirits of her students up with her witty remarks. Her lessons are extremely insightful and enjoyable where she always brings up the latest news from around the world to discuss with us. It is through her effective lessons that i am able to beef up my content knowledge and broaden my perspectives towards many world issues. I am extremely thankful to Ms See for so approachable and willing to sacrifice her spare time in order to answer my queries and guide me through my mistakes in my exam papers. I always look forward to attend her lessons and will highly recommend anyone who is struggling with GP to sign up for her classes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How is Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English different from PSLE English?

Four things change at once. Narrative writing gives way to personal recount, expository and argumentative writing are introduced for the first time, comprehension passages move from a single narrative to several text types, and questions begin to assume some knowledge of social and current affairs. The Academic Workshop’s Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English programme is built around exactly that gap: structured paragraphing is taught explicitly, topical content notes and essay outlines give students something to write with, and current affairs are folded into ordinary lessons so the content knowledge arrives before the essay question does. There is no textbook for secondary English, which is why the notes and outlines matter.

What is covered in a Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English lesson at The Academic Workshop?

The weekly two-hour lesson at 10 Winstedt Road works across both papers. Paper 1 is covered through editing practice, which carries ten marks, and through expository and argumentative essay writing taught with model samples and outlines. Paper 2 is covered through Comprehension A, B and C taught question type by question type, alongside grammar and vocabulary work, synthesis and transformation. Oral conversation practice runs every three weeks. Thematic content notes cover the topics tested most often — social media, teenage issues, discrimination and environmental issues — so students have ideas to apply rather than only technique.

How much does Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English tuition cost in Singapore at The Academic Workshop?

Lower Sec ‘O’ Level lessons are $75 each for Secondary 1 to Secondary 3, excluding GST, billed across four terms of eleven lessons a year. Secondary 4 rises to $85 a lesson. AWS is GST registered and GST is charged at 9% as required by state law; the GST portion of any fee is not refundable because it has already been paid to the State. New students also pay a refundable $50 deposit, a $50 registration fee ($54.50 with GST) which also applies to students rejoining after more than three months, and a $150 material fee ($163.50 with GST), pro-rated according to the term a student joins. The trial lesson is free.

How long is a Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English lesson, and what happens if my child misses one?

Each lesson runs two hours, once a week, and the week cycle starts on a Monday. In 2026 Term 1 runs 29 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, Term 2 from 23 March to 7 June, Term 3 from 15 June to 6 September and Term 4 from 7 September to 29 November, with the December break to 27 December and classes resuming on 28 December. A student who cannot attend their usual slot may attend another physical class in the same week, provided the Admin or teacher is told first so the class is not over-filled, or sign up for a workshop held during the school holidays. There is also an online Replacement Class at the end of each term cycle. No refund is given for a missed lesson, but the notes and materials covered are supplied.

Does the programme prepare my child for the oral and for school exams?

Yes on both counts. Oral conversation practice is covered every three weeks rather than left to the weeks before an examination, and current affairs discussion is built into ordinary lessons so students have something to say when the stimulus appears. Mock tests are run once a term for Terms 1 to 3, under timed conditions and across the board, with detailed feedback given to each student individually and additional consultation offered to anyone still struggling afterwards. Targeted workshops address common written errors, and Literature workshops are run for students taking Literature at lower secondary.

How do I start Lower Sec ‘O’ Level English tuition at The Academic Workshop?

With a free trial lesson, booked here. The trial lets a student experience the teaching style, the class structure and the learning environment first-hand before any commitment, at no charge and with no obligation to enrol. Lessons are held at 10 Winstedt Road, #01-01, Singapore 227977, and the centre can be reached on 6733 5447 or on WhatsApp at 9725 2494. Bring the student’s most recent English paper if there is one, so the teacher can say which of the four PSLE-to-secondary changes is causing the most trouble.

JOIN US FOR A TRIAL LESSON

We believe that a trial lesson will let students experience our teaching style, class structure, and learning environment firsthand. It helps students see if the approach suits their needs and learning preferences. More importantly, the trial lesson is free of charge, so both students and parents can make an informed decision with confidence.