The Primary 4 English syllabus in Singapore marks an important shift in expectations. Students are no longer assessed only on basic understanding, but on how well they can apply language skills across grammar, comprehension and writing.
Understanding what is taught at this level helps parents support their child more effectively.
What Students Learn in Primary 4 English
The Primary 4 English syllabus focuses on three main components:
Grammar and Language Use
Students learn to:
- Apply correct sentence structures
- Use a wider range of tenses accurately
- Write with clarity and coherence
- Avoid common grammatical errors
Grammar accuracy becomes more important as writing tasks grow longer and more complex. Without structured English support for Primary 4 students, many children struggle to apply grammar and writing skills consistently across longer tasks.
Comprehension Skills
Comprehension passages in Primary 4:
- Are longer and more detailed
- Require inference and interpretation
- Test vocabulary in context
Students must learn how to identify key information, understand implied meanings and answer questions precisely.
Writing and Composition
Writing expectations increase significantly:
- Compositions require better organisation
- Vocabulary variety is emphasised
- Situational writing becomes more detailed
- Logical flow and clarity matter more than length
Many students struggle here if they lack proper writing strategies.
How Expectations Change from Primary 3
Compared to Primary 3, Primary 4 English:
- Moves at a faster pace
- Assumes students already know basic grammar
- Requires more independent thinking
- Places greater emphasis on accuracy and structure
This is often where students who relied on memorisation begin to face difficulties.
Writing and Comprehension Demands in Primary 4
At this stage, students are expected to:
- Plan before writing
- Support answers with evidence from the passage
- Use appropriate grammar, punctuation and vocabulary
- Express ideas clearly and logically
Without structured guidance, students may feel lost, especially if mistakes are not clearly explained.
Preparing for Upper Primary English
Primary 4 is the foundation year for upper primary and PSLE English. As students progress beyond Primary 4, they will face upper primary English demands that require stronger accuracy, structure, and independent thinking.Strengthening skills now helps students:
- Cope better in Primary 5 and 6
- Avoid repeated mistakes
- Build confidence in exams
- Develop long-term language proficiency
Our Primary 4 English tuition programme in Singapore is designed to support students through these syllabus demands with structured lessons and guided practice.
How the Primary 4 English Syllabus Affects Exam Performance
As expectations increase in Primary 4, students are assessed not only on understanding but on accuracy, structure, and application of language skills. Mistakes in grammar, weak comprehension techniques, or poorly organised writing can significantly affect exam performance. Without clear strategies and consistent feedback, students may struggle to meet these higher demands. This is why structured guidance becomes increasingly important at this stage.
Conclusion
The Primary 4 English syllabus is challenging, but it is also an opportunity to build strong language foundations. With a clear understanding of what is expected — and the right support — students can improve steadily and prepare confidently for the years ahead.
Primary 4 introduces higher expectations in grammar accuracy, comprehension skills and writing structure. English tuition helps students receive focused guidance and feedback that may not be possible in a classroom setting.
