On 1 August 2026, Education Minister Desmond Lee announced that from 2027 the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) at junior college level expands to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon Junior College; the Tamil Language Elective Programme (TLEP) expands through a centre-based approach at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre; and Malay (Special Programme), a third-language course, expands to a fifth centre at National Junior College. Ancourage Academy teaches Chinese from Secondary 1 to JC2 at its Bishan and Woodlands centres, including a secondary Higher Chinese programme, and this guide sets out what the Language Elective Programme family is, what each 2027 change says in MOE's own words, who CLEP suits, and how entry works. The same speech also launched the essay-marking tool covered in our AIMS explainer and the chatbot in our LangBuddy guide; this article covers only the language programmes.
Ancourage Academy's JC1 Chinese classes run in small groups of 3 to 6; book a trial class (usually $18) to start with a diagnostic of where your child stands.
What Did MOE Announce for the Language Elective Programme in 2027?
Ministry of Education (MOE) announced three separate changes for 2027: one more CLEP junior college, a centre-based TLEP, and one more Malay (Special Programme) centre — and only the first two are Language Elective Programmes.
In his opening address at the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium 2026, the Minister said: "from next year, we will expand the Language Elective Programme to enable more students to pursue mother tongue at an advanced level and deepen their engagement with culture and literature." He then named the changes:
- Chinese: "The Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) at the pre-university level will be expanded to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon Junior College."
- Tamil: "The Tamil Language Elective Programme (TLEP) at both the secondary and junior college levels will be expanded through a centre-based approach at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre (UPTLC)."
- Malay as a third language: "students who wish to learn Malay as a third language can look forward to the expansion of Malay (Special Programme) to a fifth centre at the National Junior College."
The speech gives no student numbers or intake quotas, and does not say how the UPTLC arrangement will work day to day; MOE has since set out the arrangement on its TLEP pages, covered below.
What Is the Language Elective Programme, and How Is It Different From a Special Programme?
A Language Elective Programme (LEP) takes a student deeper into their own mother tongue through its literature; a Special Programme such as Malay (Special Programme) teaches a language as a third language to students who do not take it as their mother tongue.
MOE runs the LEP in Chinese, Malay and Tamil, each at two levels: a two-year secondary programme (Secondary 3 and 4) and a separate two-year pre-university programme. MOE's CLEP-JC page states three aims shared across the family: to "attain a high level of language proficiency in Chinese", "Enhance their understanding of Chinese literature" and "Develop students to be effectively bilingual to better serve the needs of our nation."
Malay (Special Programme), usually written M(SP), is a different kind of course. In a 2021 parliamentary reply, MOE described M(SP) and Chinese (Special Programme) as the routes "For students offering MTL as third languages", with M(SP) then "currently available at 16" schools and "4 zonal centres for M(SP)" for students from other schools. NJC becoming a "fifth centre" fits that zonal-centre model. It is not a Malay LEP: MOE's MLEP-JC page already lists National Junior College as an MLEP-JC school.
| Programme | Level | Language | Hosts as MOE lists them (September 2026) | What it leads to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEP-Sec | Sec 3–4 | Chinese (mother tongue) | Anglican High, Chung Cheng High (Main), Dunman High, Hwa Chong Institution, Maris Stella High, Nanyang Girls' High, Nan Chiau High, Nan Hua High, Temasek Junior College | Literature in Chinese (full or elective); school-based Chinese Literature for IP students; route into CLEP-JC |
| CLEP-JC | Pre-U 1–2 | Chinese (mother tongue) | Anderson Serangoon JC, Dunman High (JC), Hwa Chong Institution (JC), Jurong Pioneer JC, Nanyang JC, Temasek JC | H2 Chinese Language and Literature (9575); optional H3 |
| TLEP-Sec | Sec 3–4 | Tamil (mother tongue) | Commonwealth Sec, Riverside Sec, Yishun Town Sec; UPTLC for students from most other schools | Literature in Tamil (full or elective) |
| TLEP-JC | Pre-U 1–2 | Tamil (mother tongue) | Anderson Serangoon JC, National JC; UPTLC (not via JAE or DSA-JC; no bonus points) | H2 Tamil Language and Literature; optional H3 |
| MLEP-Sec | Sec 3–4 | Malay (mother tongue) | Anderson Sec, Bukit Panjang Government High, Tanjong Katong Sec | Literature in Malay (full or elective) |
| MLEP-JC | Pre-U 1–2 | Malay (mother tongue) | Jurong Pioneer JC, National JC, Raffles Institution, Tampines Meridian JC, Yishun Innova JC | H2 Malay Language and Literature; optional H3 |
| Malay (Special Programme) | Secondary schools and zonal centres | Malay as a third language | Not listed on one MOE page; National JC becomes the fifth centre from 2027 | A third language alongside the student's own mother tongue |
MOE's CLEP-JC page already counts Anderson Serangoon JC among "6 schools today", up from two pre-university schools when the programme began in 1990.
What Does CLEP Actually Study?
CLEP is a literature programme: CLEP-Sec students must take Literature in Chinese, and every CLEP-JC student must take H2 Chinese Language and Literature at A-Level.
At secondary level, MOE's CLEP-Sec page requires "Literature in Chinese at O-Level in full or elective" for students on the national examination track, and "School-based Chinese Literature" for Integrated Programme students. Activities include "A one or two-day camp to be held locally during the June holidays in Secondary 3" and "A one to two-week overseas immersion programme at the end of Secondary 3", plus literary lectures and meet-the-author sessions.
At junior college, "All students enrolled in the CLEP-JC must offer H2 Chinese Language and Literature (CLL) at A-Level." That is Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) syllabus 9575, a three-paper examination of 200 marks: a 35-mark writing paper, a 65-mark language comprehension and application paper, and a 100-mark open-book literature paper that alone carries 50% of the grade. Students may also attend H3 CLL lessons where their JC offers them, and can sit H3 CLL as an examinable subject "if it is within the 12 AU cap for total examinable subjects at A-Level examination".
This is the key difference from H1 Chinese Language 8655, the JC Chinese subject Ancourage Academy teaches by default, which has no literature paper at all — our H1 Chinese 8655 technique guide sets out its two papers. H2 CLL is a full H2 subject and counts as one of the student's H2 choices, which is why it shapes the whole JC subject combination rather than sitting beside it.
Who Is Eligible for CLEP-Sec and CLEP-JC?
MOE sets grade floors: CLEP-Sec takes students with at least A2 in Chinese or B3 in Higher Chinese in their Secondary 2 examinations; CLEP-JC takes students with B3 in Higher Chinese, B4 in Higher Chinese plus B3 in Literature in Chinese, or A2 in Chinese at O-Level.
| Stage | MOE's stated eligibility | IP students |
|---|---|---|
| CLEP-Sec | "at least an 'A2' grade in Chinese Language, or 'B3' grade in Higher Chinese, in their Secondary 2 examinations" | "IP schools can admit IP students directly into the CLEP-Sec based on the student's examination results for relevant subjects" |
| CLEP-JC | At least one of: "Grade B3 in Higher Chinese"; "Grade B4 in Higher Chinese and B3 in Literature in Chinese (full or elective subject)"; "Grade A2 in Chinese" — in the GCE O-Level examination | IP schools admit directly "based on their examination results for relevant subjects"; CLEP-Sec IP students "can reapply for the programme after Year 4" |
Two things parents often miss. First, a student does not need Higher Chinese to qualify: an A2 in standard Chinese meets both floors. Second, MOE's CLEP-JC criteria are still written in O-Level grades. From 2027 the national examination becomes the Secondary Education Certificate, with Higher Chinese examined as K355 at G3; MOE had not restated the CLEP-JC floor in O-Level / SEC terms on the MOE page, so confirm the wording with the college for any student sitting the SEC.
The TLEP and MLEP pages set the same pattern for Tamil and Malay: A2 in the mother tongue or B3 in the Higher mother tongue at Secondary 2 for the secondary programme, and B3 in the Higher mother tongue, B4 plus B3 in the literature subject, or A2 in the mother tongue at O-Level for the pre-university programme.
What Does CLEP Offer — Bonus Points, Scholarships and Awards?
CLEP brings a certificate of recognition, 2 bonus points for JC admission when selected through the Joint Admissions Exercise, eligibility for the Chinese Language Elective Scholarship for Singapore Citizens, and the chance of a $500 Best Improvement Award.
- Bonus points: "Students who apply through JAE and are selected for CLEP-JC are eligible for 2 bonus points for admission to the respective schools." How these combine with other bonuses under the 2028 rules is covered in our L1R4 JC admission guide.
- A binding commitment: students admitted to CLEP-JC "are required to remain in the programme while studying in the JC. Otherwise, they may be asked to leave the JC." Treat the bonus as a commitment to two years of H2 CLL.
- Scholarship: MOE's Chinese Language Elective Scholarship page describes a two-year award from Secondary 3 covering "an allowance of $1,000 and school fees based on Singapore Citizen's rates less any subsidies, subject to annual cap of $2,400". Only Singapore Citizens are eligible, and "Schools will nominate eligible students."
- Renewal into JC: CLEP-Sec scholars who enrol in CLEP-JC may renew for Pre-U 1 and 2, and "must enrol into CLEP and offer H2 Chinese Language and Literature to be considered for scholarship renewal".
- Best Improvement Award: sponsored by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning, given to one Singapore Citizen student per level in every CLEP school; "Awardees will each receive a cash award of $500."
The CLEP bonus is separate from the Higher Chinese bonus described in our Higher Chinese vs standard Chinese decision guide, which depends on grades in both English and Higher Chinese.
Who Should Consider CLEP — and Who Should Not?
CLEP suits a student who reads Chinese for pleasure and wants literature as one of their H2 subjects; it is a poor fit for a student chasing bonus points who would rather drop Chinese after secondary school.
The strongest candidates tend to share three traits. They already read Chinese fiction or essays outside the syllabus. They are comfortable with close reading and analysis in Chinese, including the classical texts introduced in Higher Chinese — our 文言文 study guide shows the level of that step. And they can see H2 CLL as one of their three or four H2 subjects, not an extra.
- A Higher Chinese student at B3 or better in Secondary 2 already meets the CLEP-Sec floor and is the natural candidate. Our Higher Chinese secondary tuition guide explains how the HCL papers differ from standard Chinese.
- A standard Chinese student at A2 also qualifies, but should check whether the jump to literature study suits them before taking a place.
- A science-heavy JC student should weigh the workload: H2 CLL adds a 100-mark open-book literature paper to a timetable already carrying H2 sciences and Mathematics.
- A student who wants Chinese only to clear the mother tongue requirement is usually better served by H1 Chinese, or by an exemption earned through Higher Chinese as our Higher Mother Tongue guide explains.
For families in the north-east, the 2027 addition of Anderson Serangoon Junior College widens the choice of CLEP-JC colleges. Ancourage Academy's JC1 Chinese classes build the writing and comprehension base that both H1 Chinese and H2 CLL assume.
How Do Students Apply for CLEP, TLEP and MLEP?
For the junior college programmes, O-Level students apply through the Joint Admissions Exercise or Direct School Admission for junior colleges (except TLEP at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre); IP schools admit their own students directly; and scholarships come through school nomination.
- Secondary programme: MOE's pages set the Secondary 2 grade floor and list the host schools; they do not describe a separate public application form. Ask your child's school how selection works there.
- Into the JC programme: "All CLEP-Sec students are encouraged to continue with the programme." O-Level students "can apply for schools offering CLEP-JC through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) or Direct School Admission for junior colleges (DSA-JC)". The TLEP and MLEP pages give the same two routes, except for the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre: MOE says applications there "are not made through JAE or DSA-JC", and students apply through their posted junior college or Millennia Institute after the JAE posting results. Our DSA guide explains how DSA works in general.
- IP students: admitted directly by their school on examination results, and CLEP-Sec IP students "can reapply for the programme after Year 4". Our Integrated Programme guide covers the IP track.
- Scholarship: "Schools will nominate eligible students. Approach your child's secondary school for more information."
MOE's programme pages give no application dates; JAE and DSA-JC run on their own published calendars each year.
What Changes for Tamil and Malay Students?
For Tamil, the change is how TLEP is delivered — a centre-based approach at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre at both secondary and JC level; for Malay, the change is a new third-language centre, not a new MLEP school.
TLEP-JC students take H2 Tamil Language and Literature, which MOE describes as "Paper 1: Essay", "Paper 2 (E-Exam): Language usage, comprehension and commentary" and a literature paper. TLEP-Sec students "must offer full or elective Literature in Tamil at O-Level". MOE's TLEP pages now set out the centre-based approach: Commonwealth, Riverside and Yishun Town Secondary students take Literature in Tamil in their own schools, while students from other secondary schools, unless their school already offers Literature in Tamil within curriculum time, "will need to offer Literature in Tamil Language at UPTLC if they want to offer TLEP". At JC level, UPTLC places are applied for through the student's posted junior college or Millennia Institute after the JAE posting results, not through JAE or DSA-JC.
Common Questions About the Language Elective Programme
Which JC is joining CLEP in 2027?
Anderson Serangoon Junior College. MOE announced on 1 August 2026 that CLEP at the pre-university level "will be expanded to a sixth school, Anderson Serangoon Junior College". MOE's CLEP-JC page lists it alongside Dunman High, Hwa Chong Institution, Jurong Pioneer JC, Nanyang JC and Temasek JC.
Is NJC starting a Malay Language Elective Programme in 2027?
No. National Junior College becomes the fifth centre for Malay (Special Programme), which teaches Malay as a third language. NJC already appears on MOE's list of MLEP-JC schools, so the 2027 change adds a third-language option there rather than a new Malay LEP.
Does my child need Higher Chinese to join CLEP?
No. MOE accepts an A2 in Chinese as well as a B3 in Higher Chinese at Secondary 2 for CLEP-Sec, and an A2 in Chinese at O-Level among the CLEP-JC routes. Higher Chinese helps because the programme is literature-heavy, but it is not a formal requirement.
How many bonus points does CLEP give for JC admission?
MOE states that students who apply through JAE and are selected for CLEP-JC "are eligible for 2 bonus points for admission to the respective schools". The same applies to MLEP-JC and to TLEP-JC at Anderson Serangoon JC and National JC, but not to TLEP at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, where MOE says "the 2 TLEP-JC bonus points do not apply". Our JC admission calculator models this award alongside your other bonus points. Students admitted this way must stay in the programme while in JC, or may be asked to leave the college.
What subject does a CLEP-JC student take at A-Level?
H2 Chinese Language and Literature, syllabus 9575, is compulsory for every CLEP-JC student. It has a writing paper, a language comprehension and application paper, and a 100-mark open-book literature paper worth 50%. Students may also attend H3 CLL lessons where their JC offers them, and sit H3 if it fits within the 12 AU cap.
Can Ancourage Academy help a student prepare for CLEP?
Ancourage Academy does not run CLEP, which only MOE-designated schools offer. What its Higher Chinese and JC Chinese classes build is the reading, essay and comprehension base the programme assumes. A trial class (usually $18) starts with a diagnostic of where a student stands against the CLEP grade floors.