Transitioning from P6 to Sec 1

As your child enters the first year of secondary school, he/she will have to deal with three major adjustments:

• Adapt to a new school and environment

• Take new subjects like Literature and Geography

• Cope with a more challenging curriculum

The English subject in secondary school is also going to be very different.

What are the differences in P6 and Sec 1 English curriculum?

Common P6 to Sec 1 Transition Problems 

More complex vocabulary and grammar

Many students may struggle with more advanced or complex vocabulary and grammar structures which hinders their overall understanding of a text or their ability to write an essay suitable for the secondary school level

Issues with expressing ideas

Students may also struggle with expressing their ideas using more academic language which are very different from the language they were used to at primary school. 

Higher-level thinking skills

Critical thinking is essential for success in Secondary School English. Students are expected to analyse texts at a deeper level, such as assess the effectiveness of language used in a text.

All this, if not addressed, can result in a poorer grade in English.

How can you help your child?

Improve general knowledge

Encourage your child to read books or texts on a wider range of topics. This could even include videos or other forms of media. This will help give your child the motivation to learn more about other topics that he/she may not have been interested in previously.

Bonus: Your child will be able to pick up new vocabulary as well!

Recap the essential basics

This is true not only for English, but also for all other subjects. The subjects taught in secondary school expand on what was learned in elementary school. While your child should be taking a break during the holidays, it is still crucial that he/she does not forget everything that has been learned.