Anyone who has learned about the education in Singapore knows that there are some special subjects in Singapore, which are specially designed for different students and are dedicated to stimulating students’ potential in arts, sports, etc. Today, let’s take a look at the common featured subjects in Singapore.
Art Elective Programme (AEP)
AEP is designed to provide in-depth courses for artistically inclined students without increasing tuition. Students will experience a four-year program where they can study and practice art theory, as well as use specialized art equipment, studios and a well-stocked art library. They will also travel abroad and interact with AEP students from other schools. In the college entrance examination ‘O’ level examination, AEP students can take the advanced arts level as a humanities subject to study in junior colleges. To enroll in an AEP program, students at AEP schools will apply at the time of enrollment. They also need to pass the AEP selection exam. From 1st to 4th, they will study advanced arts in middle school rather than design and technology and food and consumer education.
Music Elective Programme (MEP)
Music Electives (MEP) is a 4-year program that enables students with musical potential and talent to receive a well-rounded study. Similar to AEP, there is no additional fee. Students will hone their skills in music research, performance, listening and more. There will be dedicated facilities such as practice rooms, music software, sheet music, books and other materials. Environmental protection students may offer higher music as an “advanced” examination subject, rather than the humanities for entry into junior colleges.
Language Elective Programme (LEP)
Language Electives LEP (Chinese, Malay and Tamil) Language Electives prepare students for better language skills in their mother tongue and its literature. Students will be effectively bilingual throughout the course. Only students with a native language level (Chinese, Malay or Tamil) of at least “A2”, or a native language level of “B3” in Secondary 2 are eligible to apply for the LEP. For LEP-sec, students are required to take the O-Level Literature exam in their native language.
Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP)
The Bicultural Studies Programme cultivates bilingual bicultural talents, aiming at cultivating people who can make good use of language learning and adapt to Chinese and Western cultures in an unpredictable future. All BSP students, in addition to learning advanced Chinese and English, will also take the Appreciation of Chinese Culture and History in Secondary 1 and Secondary 2. In Secondary 4, students must also take the Bilingual Programme.
The Bicultural Course Advanced Chinese Course and Chinese Literature History and Chinese Art Appreciation Course focus on cultivating students’ ability to use their native language and improve their cultural literacy. On the basis of the Chinese course, the bilingual course further enhances the students’ writing and speaking skills, as well as their creative and critical thinking skills, through the study of literary corpus, life corpus and language translation skills.
Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP)
The Chinese Language and Literature Selected Program (CLEP) for Secondary Schools offered by the Ministry of Education encourages senior middle school students who have a strong interest in Chinese language and Chinese literature to join. Students will participate in a one- to two-day language camp during the secondary three and June holidays, experience literary and cultural activities, and learn more about Chinese language-related further studies and career development after graduation. The one- to two-week overseas immersion program will be launched at the end of the third year of secondary school to cultivate students’ literary, give them the opportunity to deeply experience the local customs and conditions, and broaden their horizons.
STELLAR
STELLAR stands for Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading.
The STELLAR program is designed to strengthen students’ language and reading skills and make children fall in love with reading. Students learn through shared readings and experiences, and teachers teach grammar, vocabulary, and phonics, which are reinforced through specially designed learning tasks.
MTL
MTL means Mother Tongue Languages.
In Singapore, students learn their native language (Chinese, Malay or Tamil) as a second language. The school uses differentiated teaching methods to teach students from different family and language backgrounds. Not only should children learn to listen, read, write, and read, but also learn more about the culture of their home country.
SEL
The full name of SEL is Social Emotional Learning.
Through SEL, students learn to manage themselves, understand how to treat others properly, make responsible decisions, build positive relationships, and deal effectively with challenging problems.
CCA
CCA is Co-Curricular Activities (non-academic activities that students must participate in).
CCA is a non-academic activity organized by the school, usually starting from the third grade, and every student must participate in it. The purpose of this activity is to cultivate students’ leadership, self-discipline and confidence, including orchestras, sports teams, Boy Scouts, etc.
FTGP
FTGP means Form Teacher Guidance Period. In the weekly FTGP class, there will be many interactions between teachers and students, and the atmosphere is very warm. Through the FTGP, students develop social and emotional skills, improve understanding of each other, and are more conducive to future teaching work.
LSP & LSM
LSP & LSM refers to Learning Support Programme and Learning Support for Mathematics.
LSPs and LSMs provide additional tutoring for students who are already in primary school but with weak literacy or numeracy skills so they can keep up. These courses are run by specially trained teachers and use structured teaching methods to make it easier for students to master.
CCE
CCE stands for Character and Citizenship Education. CCE is a character and civic education course, instilling a sense of social responsibility, core values, etc. in students, and cultivating citizens with excellent character and a sense of responsibility. Course content includes civic and moral education, career guidance, sex education and online health education.
