Why Students Struggle to Master English in Singapore

Despite Singapore’s reputation as a highly literate, English-speaking nation, many students continue to face challenges in mastering the English language. As the medium of instruction in schools and the language of government, commerce, and media, English plays a central role in daily life. Yet, a significant number of students fall short of achieving fluency or proficiency, particularly in writing, comprehension, and oral communication. Understanding the underlying causes is essential parents who aim to bridge this gap and help their children score better.

 Multilingual Environment and Language Interference

Singapore’s multilingual society is one of its greatest strengths, but it also presents challenges for English mastery. Many students grow up speaking a different mother tongue at home—be it Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, or a dialect such as Hokkien or Cantonese. As a result, students often develop a dual language system, where grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary from one language influence their English usage.

Eg. 你有没有吃饭？is translated literally into “You eat or not eat rice?”

Such sentence structures from native languages may be directly translated into English, leading to grammatical inaccuracies.

Singlish

In speech, code-switching between English and local expressions—often referred to as “Singlish”—can also hinder the development of standard English proficiency.

While Singlish is a cultural marker that reflects Singapore’s unique identity, its widespread use can blur the distinction between informal and formal English. Students exposed primarily to Singlish may unconsciously adopt non-standard grammar and vocabulary in both speech and writing. This becomes problematic, especially in academic and professional contexts where standard English is expected.

Educators are often tasked with the delicate balance of acknowledging the cultural significance of Singlish while reinforcing the importance of standard English in formal settings.

 Lack of a Reading Culture

A strong reading habit is closely linked to language development, particularly vocabulary acquisition, grammatical awareness, and writing skills. However, in today’s digital age, students increasingly engage with short-form content—such as social media, videos, and gaming—rather than reading books or long-form texts.

Without consistent exposure to well-written English, students miss opportunities to internalise language patterns, develop a broader vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of how language works.

Twenty years ago, blogs—often referred to as "online diaries"—were immensely popular, with children spending countless hours customising their pages and filling them with personal reflections and private thoughts. In contrast, today's preferred platforms are TikTok and Instagram, where self-expression takes the form of short videos and curated images rather than written words. This shift has significantly reduced opportunities for young people to practise and develop their writing skills.

Examination-Focused Learning

Singapore’s education system is renowned for its rigour and emphasis on high academic achievement. However, the examination-driven culture can lead to a narrow focus on English as a subject, rather than as a living, functional language. Students may become adept at memorising model essays and drilling grammar rules, yet struggle to apply English creatively or confidently in real-world situations.

This approach may produce short-term academic results, but often does not translate into long-term language proficiency.

Coupled with the reduced frequency of examinations—introduced as part of policy changes by the Ministry of Education (MOE)—students now have fewer opportunities to engage with English under exam conditions and to apply essential examination strategies effectively.

Limited Opportunities for Expressive Use

Language acquisition thrives on frequent, meaningful use. However, many students have limited chances to use English expressively outside the classroom. Opportunities for oral presentations, creative writing, and free-form discussions may be infrequent or highly structured, offering little room for authentic language use.

In households where English is not the primary language, students may lack the environment or encouragement to practise speaking and writing in English naturally and confidently.

Singapore has laid a strong foundation in English education. However, to achieve true mastery, students need more than structured lessons—they require consistent, meaningful engagement with the language in their daily lives. With coordinated efforts across schools, families, and the wider community, we can help students not only pass exams, but also thrive as effective, confident communicators.

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