Frequently Asked Questions

This Frequently Asked Questions section provides helpful information for parents, students, and teachers who wish to learn more about BTTSAL and its services.

Here you will find clear answers about our curriculum, assessments, examinations, and partner language societies. Whether you are looking for prescribed books, examination schedules, registration procedures, or general guidance, this section is designed to make your experience easier and more informed.

BTTSAL is committed to supporting South Asian language learning in a structured and accessible way, and these FAQs aim to address the most common enquiries from our community.

Key Guidelines for Non-Tamil Indian Language (NTIL) Enrolment and Assessment:

1. Enrol your child/ward in a suitable centre for the learning of your chosen NonTamil Indian Language (NTIL) as it is not provided for in schools.

2. The Board for the Teaching and Testing of South Asian Languages (BTTSAL), a community body, oversees the delivery of NTIL instruction and Assessment across school levels.

3. Inform the school of your enrolled centre within one month of the approval date.

4. Only grades given by the BTTSAL or tutors registered under the BTTSAL will be recognised by MOE and recorded in school results for in-school progression.

5. The NTILs will not be offered at the higher mother tongue level at the GCEO level/ Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) and A Level Examination.

6. ‘B’ Syllabus and G1 are also not available for NTILs at the GCEO level/ SEC and A Level Examination.

7. Students who have been granted approval to offer an NTIL at secondary level are required to continue to offer the same language at the GCE N Level, O Level/SEC and A Level Examinations.

8. There is no ‘Oral’ Component for secondary Level Examination.

How do I register my kid for NTIL languages studies?

You can refer to the links for different organisations provided at the Home Page.

From where can I purchase the Mother Tongue Books?

You can purchase the books from the respective Community Group office where your child is registered.

May I check if Secondary students could switch from G2 to G3 in Mother Tongue?

Based on the criteria the student should be able to offer G3 Mother Tongue in Sec 3 if he/she
meets the following criteria at the end of Sec 2:
(i) Obtains at least 50% for subjects currently offered at G3 for at least 3 subjects (of which 2 should be EL/MA/Sci).
(ii) Obtains at least 50% overall for G2 Mother Tongue.

If my child is unable to sit for the examination, would he/she be granted Valid Reason?

Valid Reasons (VR) will only be granted for the following circumstances:
a. Direct School Admission (DSA) commitments (with supporting documents)
b. Mathematics Olympiad participation (with supporting documents)
c. Robotics competitions (International level) (with supporting documents)
d. Certified medical reasons (with supporting medical documents)
e. Bereavement of immediate family members (parents, siblings, grandparents) with official death certificate
f. Any special case that warrants a VR with supporting documents

Can my child be exempted from studying Mother Tongue and how?

For this you should contact your child’s main stream school’s Mother Tongue HOD.

When will the grades of my child’s MT exam performance be released?

The overall grades will be released along with the result of other subjects by the main stream school.

If I am not satisfied with the marks of my child then how can I appeal for the re-checking?

You can apply through the Appeal form available at the language community group office. You can appeal within a span of three weeks after the release of NTIL results.

Do I have to pay for the appeal?

There is a fee of $100.00 which is not refundable.

How will I come to know about the result of my appeal?

The report of the appeal will be sent to you by post.

If I want to plan holidays during the official term break period, then will it affect my child’s studies?

Although all NTIL weekend centres operate during the main stream school’s term break, but only one Saturday is affected by examination. Please refer to the examination dates provided.

Connect With BTTSAL

Have questions about our curriculum, assessments, or resources? Reach out to us and we’ll be happy to assist.