Known for its beyond-phonics approach, My English School's Reading Programme in Singapore helps children aged 3 and above build strong literacy foundations through structured, ability-based reading classes.
Our Reading Programme places each child in a class that matches their current English ability rather than their age, so every lesson is pitched at exactly the right level. Spanning five clearly structured levels from early phonics foundations through to Primary 1 preparation, our programme takes children step by step towards genuine reading fluency. Every stage is aligned with Singapore's MOE English syllabus, so the skills built in our classes carry directly into school. With small class sizes and a flexible lesson replacement policy, our reading classes are designed to fit seamlessly into family life.
Trusted by Singapore parents since 2012, we don't just teach children to decode words. We give them the confidence and the tools to read for life.
A reading programme is a structured, progressive course that guides children through every stage of literacy development, from recognising letter sounds to reading and understanding full texts with confidence. Without structured instruction, gaps in a child's reading foundation can quietly compound, making it harder to keep up as academic demands grow.
In Singapore, where many children grow up in bilingual or multilingual households, they benefit from early, systematic guidance that helps them distinguish English sounds, build vocabulary, and bridge the K2-to-Primary 1 gap.
The benefits of a strong reading foundation reach far beyond the classroom. When children learn to read with confidence, they gain the ability to learn independently, express themselves clearly, and engage with the world around them in ways that shape their development for years to come.
Every level of our reading programme develops the phonemic awareness and decoding skills that form the bedrock of literacy as children learn to identify, isolate, and manipulate sounds in words.
Good reading classes build fluency progressively, introducing vocabulary in meaningful contexts and guiding children to ask questions, make predictions, and draw conclusions from text. The goal is not just to have children who can read, but to have children who genuinely comprehend what they read.
A reading programme should prepare children for the vocabulary load, comprehension demands, and written expression expected in MOE-aligned Primary 1 English. Strong early literacy outcomes are one of the clearest predictors of academic achievement across all subjects.
Strong reading skills do not develop by chance. They are the result of consistent, well-structured instruction delivered at the right level and at the right pace by the right teachers.
Here is what sets our reading classes apart:
Our reading classes for preschoolers are grouped by English aptitude, not age. This means your child will always be learning alongside peers at a similar stage, supporting deep and lasting progress.
With small class sizes across all our reading classes, every child receives the focused attention they need. Our teachers can closely observe each student's development, adjust their approach in real time, and ensure no child falls behind or loses interest.
The vocabulary, text types, and comprehension strategies taught in our reading classes reflect the expectations of the MOE English syllabus, ensuring a smooth and confident transition into primary school English.
Our programme offers a wide range of reading classes for preschoolers that go well beyond phonics instruction. By teaching spelling patterns, spelling exceptions, vocabulary in context, and comprehension strategies alongside phonics, we give children the complete set of tools they need to truly engage with the language.
My English School's reading programme is structured into four ability-based levels, each building on the last. Children are placed according to their current English aptitude, ensuring every lesson is pitched at exactly the right level of challenge.
Designed for children from age 3, this introductory class is where the literacy journey begins. Children develop early listening skills, sound awareness, and vocabulary through play-based activities, songs, and storytelling. The key outcome is a strong phonemic foundation and the confidence to engage with language.
Designed for children from age 3, this introductory class is where the literacy journey begins. Children develop early listening skills, sound awareness and learn to connect letters to their corresponding sounds, where they begin building the vocabulary and expressive language skills that support early reading.
This class focuses on phoneme blending, segmenting, and oral fluency, the bridge between knowing letter sounds and reading. Children grow in their ability to blend sounds into words and begin reading simple simple words and/or phrases with teacher guidance, building both accuracy and confidence.
Our flagship reading class is where children become independent readers. Using our beyond-phonics approach, students learn to decode any English word through a combination of phonics strategies, spelling pattern recognition, and contextual understanding. At this stage, children practice reading short texts with our materials and tools, building reading accuracy and confidence.
The final level of our reading programme prepares children for the demands of Primary 1 English tuition or class. Going beyond reading, this class introduces grammar, vocabulary, foundational comprehension skills and basic writing skills through thematic lessons to enter Primary 1 confident they can succeed.
| Level | Age | Focus | Key Outcome |
|
My English Foundation Class |
From 3 |
Sound awareness and early vocabulary; letter-sound recognition and decoding |
Phonemic foundation and early reading readiness |
|
My Reading Readiness Class |
Preschool |
Blending, segmenting, oral fluency |
Reading simple words |
|
My Reading Class |
Preschool |
Independent decoding and comprehension |
Fluent, independent reading |
|
My Primary Preparation Class |
K2/Pre-P1 |
Grammar, comprehension, and writing |
Primary 1 readiness |
We know that choosing a reading class for your child is a big decision. That is why we have made the process as straightforward and reassuring as possible, from your child's very first assessment to the moment they pick up a book and read on their own.
Every child begins with a free assessment so our teachers can identify their current level of English aptitude and place them in the most appropriate reading class. This ensures your child starts at exactly the right point from their very first lesson.
Reading classes run weekly at your chosen centre. Each lesson follows a structured format aligned with your child's programme level, combining guided reading, vocabulary work, and phonics. Our teachers monitor each child's progress closely and communicate regularly with parents.
With our flexible lesson replacement policy, missed classes can be rescheduled so learning is never disrupted.
We have 15 convenient locations across the island:
Choa Chu Kang
Woodlands
Tiong Bahru
Tengah
Parkway Parade
Novena
Tampines
Jurong East
Jurong West
Downtown East
Simei/Eastpoint
Yishun/ Northpoint
Khatib/Wisteria
Potong Pasir
Harbourfront
Children can begin a structured reading programme from around age 3, when their speech and language development is ready to support phonics instruction and early reading activities. At My English School, we welcome learners from N1 onwards, with ability-based placement ensuring every child begins at the right level.
Phonics classes cover one component of learning to read, focused on the relationship between letters and sounds. A reading class covers a much broader range of skills, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Our reading programme incorporates phonics as a foundation but goes significantly beyond it to develop complete English literacy.
Progress varies from child to child and depends on factors including starting age, lesson frequency, and practice at home. At My English School, children are promoted based on individual readiness, so progress is always meaningful and lasting.
Yes. Our reading programme is designed with Singapore's MOE English syllabus in mind. The vocabulary, text types, grammar, and comprehension strategies introduced across our reading levels reflect the expectations children will encounter when they enter Primary 1.
The best way to find the right fit is through our free assessment. Our teachers will evaluate your child's current phonics knowledge, sound awareness, and reading ability to recommend the most appropriate class level. Because our programme is ability-based rather than age-based, every placement decision is based on what is genuinely right for your individual child.
Choa Chu Kang
Woodlands
Tiong Bahru
Tengah
Parkway Parade
Novena
Tampines
Jurong East
Jurong West
Downtown East
Simei/Eastpoint
Yishun/ Northpoint
Khatib/Wisteria
Potong Pasir
Harbourfront
