Menu
Understanding the PSLE Oral 2025 Changes to Stimulus-Based Conversation (SBC): What You Need to Know
- Posted By Superadmin Lilbutmighty
- 07/09/2024
Welcome back, lil’ ones! My name is Mr Joel Lim and I am a Specialist English Teacher at Lil’ but Mighty. We’ll be going through the changes that have been made to Stimulus-based Conversation (SBC) in the PSLE Oral from 2025 onwards.
Consistent with how the SBC has been carried out, there will still be 3 questions tested with question 1 directly linked to the stimulus. Question 1 will still require candidates to respond using details from the stimulus while questions 2 and 3 are broadly linked to the topic.
However, based on the new format, the topic in Reading Aloud will no longer be thematically linked to the SBC. Additionally, the stimulus will now typically be a photograph of an authentic situation. For example, the stimulus may be a photograph of a group of individuals who are doing a particular activity.
Here’s an example of what this stimulus might look like!
Let’s take a closer look at this!
Now, you may have a few questions about how these changes would affect you.
Let’s find out two notable changes with the shift to the use of a photograph as the stimulus.
1. The new stimulus may not have any text
For example, some of the types of stimulus given in the past would be of posters promoting a certain event.
In such situations involving posters, you were encouraged to pick out details from the text on the poster. Once you did that, you were to use these details to come up with your content points.
However, this is something that you might not be able to do anymore!
2. The types of questions that will be asked will be different
Typically, the question posed by examiners in the new PSLE 2025 oral examination will have you think about the people in the stimulus and the activity that they are doing or are about to do.
Some examples of questions that might be asked would be:
- What do you think the people in the photograph are feeling / thinking?
- What do you think the people in the photograph are about to do?
- Would you behave/ Are you like the people in the photograph?
So what should you do to come up with your content points well?
(a) Pay attention to the question requirements
Listen carefully to the question given and consider what you need to zoom in on in the stimulus. For instance, if the question is “Are you like the boy in the photograph?”, our focus should be on the boy.
Compare that to the question “How are the people in the photograph feeling?”, we will want to pay attention to the different people who might be present in the stimulus. In this case, do take note to consider the different groups/ types of people present.
(b) Analyse the stimulus carefully for
- The actions of the people in the picture
- The facial expressions which the people in the picture are making
- Any other interesting elements in the picture. For example, is there any difference between how the people are behaving?
As these are what you will be using to come up with your content points, it’s important to be observant and pick out as many details as you can!
(c) Put yourself in the shoes of these characters
To elaborate your points, it is important to consider not just what you see in the stimulus but also make inferences. Hence, think about what the characters are experiencing and how they would feel about what is happening. This will help you to better explain and extend your points relevantly.
Example Time!
Question: What do you think the people in the photograph are feeling?
Can you think of the content points which you can talk about? Which are the details you used?
Bearing in mind the tips above on how to come up with the content points, think about the following:
- what the two girls are feeling as they are doing their work.
- elaborate on your response by sharing about their actions and facial expressions!
- be sure to share about how the teacher might be feeling as well!
Final Tip!
In order to do well for this component, it is important for you to be well-prepared for your response!
Use the preparation time given wisely! Try to predict what question your examiner might ask you and prepare your response accordingly. This will mean looking at the stimulus closely to identify key details. Remember that one way you can substantiate your response is by paying close attention to the actions and facial expressions of your characters! Even if the question which you predicted is not what is tested, you can stay calm and be ready to use the details to answer the actual question.
When you share these ideas as part of your elaboration or example, you’ll be able to give a well-substantiated response that will impress your examiner!
Interested to find out more about how else you can ace the SBC? Stay tuned as we’ll be sharing more useful tips and strategies soon! See you then!
Mr Joel
As a teacher, Mr. Joel believes in nurturing independent learners. He hopes to be able to impart his love for English and particularly, writing, to his students by ensuring that the classroom is a safe space where students can come to learn. Learning should be fun and enjoyable! With that in mind, Mr. Joel believes that every student can excel, and he looks forward to helping his students achieve their best in his classes!
Other related posts
10 Beautiful Vivid Verbs to Boost Your Writing and Oral! | Primary School English
- Creative Writing & Compo, Oral
3 Family-Friendly Shows on Netflix (Educational & Entertaining)!
- English in the real world
10 Beautiful Words You Can Use in Narrative / Descriptive Writing | Secondary School
- Secondary School English
Understanding Purpose-Related Questions in Visual Text Comprehension
- Visual Text Comprehension
How Playing Video Games Can Improve Our English (With Practical Tips for Parents!)
- English in the real world
2021 Mother’s Day Contest Winners + Our Founder’s Journey (Mother’s Day Special)!
- Company News
Reading with Expression! Learn How to Emphasise Key Words with Ketchup & Mayo
- Lower Primary, Reading, Vocabulary
PSLE ORAL | Compiled Prelim 2021 Oral Topics + Questions!
- Free Downloads, Oral
If you’re looking at getting recent PSLE Prelim Oral topics and practice questions, this will be an excellent resource for you!
5 Steps to Convert a Newspaper Article into a Cloze Passage
- Cloze Passage and Editing, Free Downloads, Primary School English
I would like to share with you 5 steps on how authentic articles can be transformed into cloze passages easily. Read on here!
PSLE English | Oral Conversation: Free SG50 Sample Practice + Model Answers
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
In this blogpost we will be touching on the oral stimulus-based conversation topic of National Day and SG50! Read on here!
PSLE English | Oral Conversation: Filling your Story with Details Easily + Free Revision Cards
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
By simply using the 5W1H, your children will be able to lengthen their stories (hence, the conversation!). Read on here!
PSLE English | Situational Writing: Q&A + Formal vs Informal Writing Comparison Chart
- Free Downloads, Primary School English, Situational Writing
To aid you in your situational writing revision, here is a comparison chart that shows the differences between formal and informal writing!
PSLE English Tips | Oral: Stimulus-Based Conversation Checklist
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
To help my children handle the Stimulus-Based Conversation examination, here are some instructions again about using the checklist!
A Little Encouragement | DIY Motivational Bookmark (Easy to personalise too!)
- English in the real world, Free Downloads, Reading
A bookmark with a quote to motivate is also a chance for them to see the power of words and how words can mean more than what they seem.
Situational Writing: Step-by-Step Guide + Free Revision Card
- Free Downloads, Primary School English, Situational Writing
I believe a walkthrough on the process of doing situational writing is in order. Here are the requirements for content and language!
I Love Reading | 5 Ways to Motivate Reluctant Readers
- English in the real world, Free Downloads
One of the most important ingredients necessary for a child or anyone learning English is the habit of reading. Get motivated to read now!
PSLE English | Printable Ultimate Grammar & Synthesis Summary
- Free Downloads, Grammar, Sentence Synthesis
Today, we are sharing two lists of essentials in our Ultimate Grammar and Synthesis Summary Printable. Download them free here!
How Well Do You Know Your Past Participles?
- Free Downloads, Grammar
While we are familiar with the past, present and future tenses, the little less known but equally important tense is the past participles.
Primary Composition Writing | Starting Sentences with Introductory Clauses
- Creative Writing & Compo, Free Downloads
Today, we'll be revising the use of sentence starters to help you create variety in your sentence structures. Read on here!
The Sentence Train | Lower Primary English
- Free Downloads, Grammar
Today, we are going to learn what makes up a sentence. It will come in handy when you do the word order activity in school! Read on here!
PSLE English Tips | Oral: Reading Checklist
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
This Oral Reading Checklist can be used by children when they practise reading on their own. Download it now!
Language of COVID | 10 Words Added to the Dictionary
- English in the real world, Vocabulary
Expressing Character Feelings Too! | Using Show-Not-Tell (Part 2)
- Creative Writing & Compo
Which Picture Should I Use? | Choosing the Best Picture to Use for Composition!
- Creative Writing & Compo
Previous
Next
Like what you are reading?
Subscribe now to receive news and tips hot off the press!
