MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGES (MTL)
A MTL is compulsory unless:
You have previously been granted MOE official approval for exemption from MTL at primary and/or secondary level.
You are offering MTLL (CLL, MLL or TLL) as one of your H2 subjects.
You have obtained a minimum grade of D7 for your Higher Mother Tongue at the GCE O Level Examination.
If you have obtained a minimum grade of D7 for your Higher Mother Tongue at the GCE O-level Examination and do not wish to offer H1 MTL, you should select ‘Drop H1 MTL’ during the e-registration for subject combination.
B Requesting for Exemption from H1 MTL
Returning Singaporeans who have been away from our school system for some years or who joined our school system mid-stream may apply for exemption from MTL/MTL-in-lieu.
Foreign students whose MTL is not offered can request for an exemption but will be on a case-by-case basis.
Please select “Apply for Exemption” during e-registration
Please email HOD MTL, Mdm Najmah Sidik at najmah_sidik@moe.edu.sg for such exemption requests no later than 5 pm Fri 6 Feb 2026.
C MTL Syllabus B (MTLB)
Students who have taken MTB at the GCE O-level Examination, will need to continue with the subject as MTB at the A-levels.
Students who have obtained D7, E8 or F9 for MTL at the GCE O-level Examination may offer MTB at A-level.
D Non – Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL) – Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi & Urdu
If you have taken a Non-Tamil Indian Language (NTIL) at the GCE O-level Examination, you will need to continue with the subject as H1MTL.
You need to register at the MOE approved Language Centres for NTIL as soon as possible even if you were a previous student at the centre for O level.
You need to attend lessons in MOE approved Language Centres for NTIL. Marks and grades granted by private tutors are not acceptable. Please inform your Civics Tutor if you are attending lessons at these MOE approved centres.
Classes are conducted once a week on Saturday. Please check with your respective centre for the commencement date of your lesson at the centre.
E Foreign Languages (FL) – French, German, Japanese & Spanish
2025 Registration for H1 & H2 (Y1) Foreign Language Classes
Students who studied at the Ministry of Education Language Centre in Secondary 4 in 2025 and who are admitted to a Junior College or Millenia Institute in 2026 are eligible to register for the 2026 H1 and H2 French/German/Japanese language classes at the MOELC (Bishan) or the 2026 H2 Spanish class at the MOELC (Newton).
Registration is via the MOELC website homepage at https://www.moelc.moe.edu.sg from Wed 4 Feb to Fri 6 Feb 2026 (registration closes at 5 pm sharp). Classes are conducted twice a week from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Classes will commence from Wed 11 Feb 2026.
Upon successful registration, you will receive an acknowledgement email within 3 working days informing you of the class details. H2 applicants may be required to sit for and pass a diagnostic test before a place can be confirmed.
Please note that MOELC students studying French/German/Japanese language in lieu of a Mother Tongue language are NOT automatically assigned a place in the H1/H2 class at the MOELC. They are required to register during the registration period.
H1 students who miss the registration period in 2026 will have to join the 2027 classes.
Students who studied French/German/Japanese in lieu of MTL but DID NOT study at the Ministry of Education Language Centre in Secondary 4 in 2025 can apply to seek admission to MOE Language Centre. Please email HOD MTL, Mdm Najmah Sidik at najmah_sidik@moe.edu.sg for such requests no later than 12 noon on Thu 5 Feb 2026. In your email, please state your full name, NRIC number, OG, the Foreign Language you are offering and your contact number.
Please note that admission to MOELC is subject to vacancy and the results of a Readiness Test. MOELC will inform the college if you are selected to sit for the Readiness Test by Friday, 20 February 2026.
If in doubt about the choice of MTL or you require any clarification on MTL matters, please email HOD MTL, Mdm Najmah at najmah_sidik@moe.edu.sg. You can also leave your name and hp number at the General Office for Mdm Najmah to call you back.
MALAY LANGUAGE ELECTIVE PROGRAMME (MLEP)
Overview
Yishun Innova JC is one of the 5 Junior Colleges (JC) in Singapore to offer this programme. It is a special programme for students who have the passion and keen interest for Malay Culture, Language and Literature.
Objectives
To nurture promising students to attain a high level of language proficiency in Malay, and enhance their understanding of the Malay literature and culture.
To provide opportunities for students who are academically able and linguistically talented
To develop students to become effectively bilingual, both in Malay as well as the English Language
Eligibility
At the GCE O level examination, students must obtain at least:
Grade B3 in Higher Malay Language (HML) OR
Grade B4 in HML AND B3 in Literature in Malay (Full or Elective) OR
Grade A2 in Malay Language (ML)
It is compulsory for all MLEP students to offer H2 Malay Language & Literature (MLL) as one of their A level subjects.
Enrichment activities
The MLEP provides a wide range of activities to enhance students’ language learning and cultivate a deeper interest in Malay language and culture. The programme includes overseas immersion trips, creative writing workshop, publication of students’ work, literature camp, talks, forums and discussions with community leaders.
Programme Incentives: Malay Language Elective Scholarship (MLES)
MLEP students who are Singapore Citizens and achieved outstanding academic results in secondary school or GCE O level examination will be considered for the MLES awarded by MOE.
Note:
Students who meet the MLEP eligibility and wish to join the programme are to email HOD MTL, Mdm Najmah Sidik at najmah_sidik@moe.edu.sg by 5pm Mon 09 Feb 2026.