Primary 3 to Primary 4 English: What Your Child Should Know & How to Prepare

As your child moves from Primary 3 to Primary 4, the English curriculum becomes more structured and skills-based. In Primary 4, students start to work more independently across all components of the English paper.

This post is part of our Free English P3 resources.

What Is Expected by the End of Primary 3?

By the end of the P3 year, students are expected to do the following:

Writing (Paper 1)

• Write a complete composition independently, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Be able to use the pictures given to write an organised plot with clear paragraphs based on the linked pictures.
• Use writing techniques such as dialogue, descriptions, paragraphing, and simple similes, idioms or proverbs.
• Show awareness of grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

Oral – Reading & Stimulus-based Conversation

• Read aloud fluently with correct pronunciation, pacing, and expression.
• Respond confidently to a visual stimulus (e.g. poster, scene, live picture), using techniques like:
  • Elaborating on ideas
  • Giving opinions with simple reasons
  • Sharing short personal experiences

Paper 2: Language Use & Comprehension

• Understand key grammar rules taught in lower primary (e.g. noun-verb agreement, present/past tense, prepositions).
• Use a growing vocabulary bank and understand how words change in different contexts.
• Read and understand short passages, answering literal and inferential comprehension questions.
• Apply foundational Synthesis & Transformation skills using connectors like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘because’.
• Make use of context clues to complete Comprehension Cloze accurately.

How Thinking Factory Prepares P3s Learners for a Strong Primary 4 Year

At TF, we prepared our P3 students for the year by the following ways :

• Teaching composition planning techniques (e.g. story mountain, 5-senses descriptions)
• Providing weekly exposure to grammar rules with increasing difficulty
• Providing class and individual oral practices
• Training students in exam strategies for Paper 2, especially vocabulary, cloze, and comprehension

While the primary 3 years were for students to learn new grammar rules, build vocabulary, and develop writing skills, the primary 4 years are the years to master everything that has been taught in P3. We know that Primary 5 introduces many new challenges — this makes Primary 4 the key year to build a strong language foundation and good study habits.

Holiday Tips: 3 Simple Ways to Get Ready for Primary 4

Even if the school year didn’t go as well as hoped, the holidays are a perfect time to catch up and prepare. Here’s how:

1. Review Grammar Basics

Before learning new rules in P4, make sure the basics are strong. Create notes or flashcards on:

• Is/are, was/were
• Pronouns (he, she, they, etc.)
• Present vs past tense
  Revising now will make new topics easier to handle later.

2. Expand Vocabulary Gradually

Start collecting new words in a notebook or vocabulary bank. A mix of everyday words (e.g. “graceful,” “exhausted”) and useful composition words (e.g. “gazed,” “trembled”) helps build stronger reading and writing skills.

3. Practise Writing Short Paragraphs

You don’t need to write full compositions this holiday! Try:

• A paragraph about your day
• A short description of a picture
• A simple story beginning
  The goal is to get used to sentence structure, detail, and flow — the foundation of strong P4 writing.

A strong Primary 4 year sets the tone for upper primary. Make it count by practising consistently and building confidence step by step!