P4 oral tips and oral model on the theme of festivals

With the changes in the PSLE Oral component weightage from 2025, students will need to score in it. Some students excel in this English Language component while others seem to suffer through it. While the total score of 16 marks does not seem daunting in P3 and P4, the stakes are much higher in P5 and P6. With the new marking scheme in P5 and P6, the Reading passage will total 15 marks while the Stimulus-Based Conversation will total 25 marks.

At TF, we work on all the components with our students, oral being one of them. We started on the Oral component in April and May and we have just re-started working on it in August till the end of the Oral SA2.

While we have changed all the SBC practices following the new oral format (poster with a photograph of ‘real’ people with no words) for our P5 students, we will work on both formats with our P4 students as some schools may not make the move to the new format until primary 5. The difference this year is that we will work on more critical thinking questions with our P3 and P4 students such as :

Why is it important to learn about different festivals in Singapore?

Do you think that we should show our appreciation to our mothers on Mother’s Day?

Would you prefer to have a big birthday party with many guests or a small birthday party with a few close friends?

1. How do we help our younger students improve in the SBC portion?

1.1 Have a technique that they can recall and use doing the SBC

Schools teach a certain oral technique to their students. These techniques are all similar but using them with consistent practice helps students, especially those who find this component a challenge. At TF, we teach our students the TREES approach, and this approach still works well with the new PSLE 2025 format.

1.2 Plan out your answers

While no time is given during an examination to plan out SBC answers, we always start off the oral training by doing ‘group oral‘. This allows students to reflect on how to use the technique that we teach them and also how to formulate suggestions and opinions. As everyone shares their answers, students can also hear other students’ responses and the corrections given to them by the teachers. This in turn is put into practice when we begin individual oral testing.

1.3 Practice at home

Reading is 6 marks out of the total score for this component.

Practice reading passages in front of a mirror or in front of your parents. Students may also practice SBC questions on their own by reflecting on certain questions such as:

• What is your hobby?
• Why is reading important?
• Do you think that it is important for Primary 4 students to have a CCA?

If we take question 3 from the Oral model, we can help a student think of his answers in this way.

What is your favourite celebration in school? Why?

Do you think that it is important to learn about different festivals in Singapore? Why?

What is your favourite celebration in school and why?

2. Oral model on the theme of Festivals

Question 1: Look at the poster. Pick one festival that you celebrate and tell me about it.

Thought

I celebrate Chinese New Year

Experience

As I am Chinese and come from a big family, we celebrate Chinese New Year in a big way!

Schools are closed for at least 2 days. We also have a half day off school on the eve to celebrate the Chinese New Year. On the eve of Chinese New Year, we all gather at my maternal grandmother’s house. My parents are always busy and my dad travels a lot for business so we hardly meet up with my cousins. Sometimes, I will not see them for 6 months or more. So, it is really great fun to catch up and play games. As usual, grandmother prepares a feast! She has some Peranakan background so her food always has some spice in them which I love!

On the first day of the New Year, we visit my paternal grandmother. She lives in a big bungalow and we love to play in her garden. She also has a swing and a trampoline which she bought to entertain her grandchildren. We spent the whole day there and once again, ate well!

Opinion

In my opinion, the Chinese New Year period is perfect to spend time with your family members, especially your extended family. Even if you do not celebrate Chinese New Year, many families take a short trip around the region and have a relaxing family holiday.

Question 2: Do you think that it is important to learn about different festivals in Singapore? Why?

Opinion

Yes, I think that it is important to learn about the different festivals in Singapore.

Reasons

Firstly, Singapore is a multi-racial society and we celebrate many different festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas. These festivals are part of Singapore’s culture and as Singaporeans we should know the significance of each festival and the history behind them.

Secondly, I have many friends and neighbours who celebrate different festivals. My family and I are often invited to their homes to celebrate every year. My mother always reminds me about how I should behave and how to wish my friends and neighbours when we visit them. I think that it is important to learn about the culture and traditions of each race in Singapore.

Experience

Racial Harmony Day is a big event in my school and everyone enjoys it! We get to dress up in a traditional costume and learn about different cultures and practices. Every year, we get to try dishes from different cultures and this is my favourite part as I am a foodie. Last year, my best friend who is Indian wore my cheongsam and I wore her sari. We had so much fun in school and took so many photographs.

Conclusion

Therefore, I think that it is important to learn about different festivals in Singapore.

Question 3: What is your favourite celebration in school? Why?

Thought

I really like our Children’s Day celebration in school

Reason 1 & Example

It is the day that we do not have to do any work at all! From the time we arrive to school until it is time to leave, we have many fun activities planned for us. I always feel excited and happy to go to school on Children’s Day! On top of that, school is only for a few hours.

Reason 2 & Example

Aside from being the most fun day of the year in school, our teachers and principal really let down their hair and enjoy themselves with us. They will play games with us and even perform, skits on stage to make us laugh. I love to see my teachers having so much fun. Even the strict teachers show us a different side. They will have a smile on their faces and they are always laughing and cheerful.

Experience

Last year for Children’s Day, my school held a concert in the morning. Our teachers put up a hilarious skit about Children’s Day and the whole school laughed from start to finish. When we went back to class, my teacher prepared snacks and drinks for us to celebrate. We played games in class and every student won prizes that she had prepared. Then we watched a movie together. It was such a memorable celebration!

Conclusion

In conclusion, my favourite celebration in school is Children’s Day.