Information on Mother Tongue Languages
Find out about the MTL requirements at A-Level, including exemptions, alternative languages, and how to apply through the College.
Information on Mother Tongue Languages
The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) policy requires all students (including international students) to offer an MTL subject at A-Level.
(A) Students taking H1CL/ ML/ TL at A-Level
Students who obtained a D7 or better for CL/ML/TL, or an E8 or below for HCL/HML/HTL in the O-Level examination must offer H1CL/ML/TL and sit for the A-Level H1MTL examination in JC1.
All students will need to obtain the minimum grade of S (sub-pass) in H1 MTL or D7 in O-Level HMTL for local university admission.
(B) Students taking Mother Tongue B (CLB/MLB/TLB)
Mother Tongue (CL, ML or TL) ‘B’ Syllabus is only offered to students who took Mother Tongue ‘B’ Syllabus at O-Level or have obtained D7, E8 or F9 for their respective MTL at O-Level examinations.
All students will need to obtain at least a Pass in MT 'B' for local university admission.
(C) Students exempted from taking MTL at A-Level
Students who have obtained a D7 or better in Higher MTL at O-Level as they would have been deemed to have fulfilled the MTL requirement for local university application/ admission.
Students who are officially exempted from taking MTL.
(D) Students who took Burmese / Thai at O-Level
As Burmese & Thai are not offered at A-Level, students who have been granted approval to take Burmese & Thai at O-Level will have to apply for MT exemption at A-Level.
Please submit the following to the General Office by 6 Feb 2026:
Parent’s letter (addressed to Ms Lee Ting Ting, HOD/MTL, CJC). Please state your name and contact number in the letter.
(E) Students taking Foreign Languages (FL- H1 French/ German/ Japanese) or Non Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL- Bengali/ Hindi/ Punjabi/ Urdu /Gujarati ) in-lieu of MTL (officially approved by MOE)
Students who have obtained official approval to offer non-MTL (i.e. non-Chinese/ Malay/ Tamil Languages) or Non-Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL) at O-Level are not required to submit a new application to MOE. These students will continue to offer the approved non-MTL or NTIL at A-Level, if applicable.
Students offering an approved H1 Non-Tamil Indian Language in lieu of MTLs will have to register for the NTIL classes at the respective NTIL language centres.
Students offering an approved H1 Foreign Language in lieu of MTLs will have to provide information and documentation for the FL classes at the respective language centres/ with private tutors.
All students are to submit the required information (e.g. language centre registered at) to HOD MTL. HOD MTL will contact you soon about it.
FL in-lieu of MTL
Students who attended Sec 4 French/German/Japanese (in lieu of MTL or as Third Language) classes at MOE Language Centre in 2025 and wish to continue their H1/H2 classes at MOELC, they need to refer to MOELC website for instruction on how to register.
Other FL students who wish to apply for a place in MOELC:
Registration of Interest will be done through the College.
Admission to MOELC is subject to vacancy and the results of a Readiness Test (if it is conducted).
Submit the following to the General Office by 5 Feb 2026:
Parent’s letter (addressed to Ms Lee Ting Ting, HOD/MTL, CJC). Include your name and contact number in the letter.
FL students who are not attending classes at MOELC or are waiting for MOELC registration outcome:
You are expected to continue with or make the arrangement to study the approved language privately (e.g. private language centers or private tutors).
You must provide the relevant details and evidence to HOD/MTL (e.g. enrolment slip for the private language centre).
(F) First-time applications for MTL Exemption / MT B
Application will be done through College. Please submit the following to the General Office by 6 Feb 2025:
Parent’s letter (addressed to Ms Lee Ting Ting, HOD/MTL, CJC). Please state your name and contact number in the letter.
Copies of school results (Sec 3 and 4), PSLE and O-Level certificates and other relevant documents where applicable (e.g. medical report).