Understanding PSLE English Oral 2025 Changes

Walter Education
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

At Walter Education Centre, we understand that thorough preparation is essential for success, particularly for important milestones like the PSLE. For parents of Primary 5 and 6 students, you may already know that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has introduced key updates to the PSLE English Oral exam, effective from 2025. These changes are designed to strengthen students’ communication abilities and align more closely with real-life English usage. In this blog, we’ll explain these adjustments and share practical advice on how you can help your child get ready for this critical examination.

What Are the Changes to the Oral Component?

The Oral exam now carries greater weight in the PSLE English paper. The Reading section has been increased to 15 marks, while the Stimulus-Based Conversation section is now worth 25 marks, bringing the total to 40 marks—up from the previous 30 marks.

Changes in the Reading Section

This section assesses a student’s ability to read fluently, with proper pacing and intonation. Under the new format, students will receive a preamble before the passage, providing context. For example:
The passage could be a persuasive speech urging classmates to join a beach clean-up.
It might also be a presentation proposing a school recycling program.

These updates mean that tone and delivery are now crucial. Students should analyze the preamble using PACT:

Purpose of the passage
Audience being addressed
Context of the situation
Tone required for effective delivery

Changes in the Stimulus-Based Conversation

This section now carries 25 marks. The updated format features thematic pictures depicting actions related to a topic (e.g., students recycling or visiting a science exhibit). The first question will be based on the image, requiring students to:

Observe and infer details from the picture.
Respond logically, connecting the visual cues to the theme.

Students must also share personal experiences and express opinions, making the conversation more dynamic.

How Can Students Excel in the Oral Component?

Tip 1: Practice Reading Aloud

With the new focus on presentation skills, students should:

Read speeches aloud in front of family members to build confidence.
Use varied tones to suit different contexts (e.g., persuasive vs. informative).

Real-World Preparation:

Some schools have already implemented these changes. For instance:

Primary 4 students give short presentations (e.g., A Person I Admire).
Primary 5 students present news articles, summarizing key points and explaining their significance.
"Book in a Box" projects foster creativity and public speaking.

At-Home Practice:

Discuss podcasts, documentaries, or debate topics like "The Benefits of Online Games."
Provide positive feedback to boost confidence—nervousness is natural, even for adults!

Tip 2: Master Stimulus-Based Conversation

To succeed in this section, students should:

Analyze pictures by answering guiding questions:
- What are the people doing?
- How do they feel?
- Why might they be happy/excited?
Relate to personal experiences and form opinions (e.g., road safety, screen time limits).

Parental Support:

Use family outing photos or online images to initiate discussions.
Parents can encourage your child to think critically by asking open-ended questions.

Key Reminder:

There’s no "right" or "wrong" opinion—but students must support their views with logical reasoning to score well.

Final Advice from Teachers@Walter

These updates aim to enhance communication skills and ensure the exam mirrors real-world language use. Participating in reading aloud and structured conversations helps students build confidence and perform well in the PSLE Oral exam.

We hope these insights will help parents support their children effectively at home!