Primary School English Tuition Programme
Get Set! Get PEP! Go!
The I Can Read Primary English Programme (PEP) builds on our strong reading DNA to develop English proficiency across listening, speaking, reading and writing, with grammar and vocabulary at the core.
Guided by the 5Cs: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication and Comprehension, students learn to think critically, use English accurately, write effectively and communicate confidently in school and beyond.
From engaging, story-based learning in the lower primary years to greater academic rigour and exam readiness with learning based on a thematic approach, our curriculum grows with your child from Primary 1 to 6, building the skills, strategies and confidence for school assessments, the PSLE and beyond.
Primary 1 & 2: Pick up the P.A.C.E. with PEP
Building strong foundations and early confidence
Primary 1 and 2 give students a strong start in English through engaging, purposeful learning that builds accuracy, confidence and language proficiency for the Primary years ahead.
What learning looks like:
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Story-based learning makes English engaging through relatable characters, situations and ideas.
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Strong foundations in grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and sentence construction are developed using the strategies from our PEP Toolkit.
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Active learning builds listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through discussion, role play and presentations.
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Personalised learning supports students in becoming confident communicators in school and beyond.
Primary 3 to 5: S.T.E.P. up with PEP
Developing skills through structured progression
As students progress, learning becomes more rigorous and exam-focused, building English mastery and strategies for increasingly demanding school assessments.
What learning looks like:
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Progressive practice builds English accuracy and independence, preparing students for exam readiness and effective communication in real-world contexts.
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Theme-based learning strengthens grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, oral communication and listening comprehension through targeted practice and our PEP Toolkit strategies.
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Writing skills are developed through model compositions, thematic vocabulary and Show, Not Tell techniques.
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Exam-style questions and progressive difficulty build confidence with different question types and increasingly challenging texts.
Primary 6: Grow by L.E.A.P.s and bounds with PEP
Achieving Readiness for PSLE and beyond
In Primary 6, learning becomes highly focused on PSLE preparation, strengthening English proficiency, exam strategies and confidence under examination conditions.
What learning looks like:
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PSLE-focused practice develops proficiency and exam strategies across Papers 1 to 4, while equipping students for future learning.
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Targeted practice through engaging themes strengthens grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, oral communication and listening comprehension.
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Model compositions, thematic vocabulary and effective writing techniques refine students’ writing skills for the PSLE.
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Mock examinations and wellness activities build exam familiarity, time management, focus and confidence.
Stay Connected to Your Child’s Learning with ICR Connect
We believe progress should be clear to both students and parents. Through termly assessments and progress reports, we track academic development and areas for continued growth.
ICR Quest
Our Interactive eLearning Resource
ICR Quest is designed to strengthen your child’s language and grammar skills. With carefully curated content across six levels, your child can practise and build a solid foundation step by step.
The engaging worksheets mirror what they learn in class, giving them extra practice and reinforcement in a fun and effective way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Primary English programme?
The I Can Read Primary English Programme (PEP) is designed for students from Primary 1 to Primary 6, building English proficiency across listening, speaking, reading and writing, with grammar and vocabulary at the core.
Rooted in I Can Read’s strong reading DNA and guided by the 5Cs: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication and Comprehension, the curriculum grows with your child through engaging, story-based learning, progressive skill development, greater academic rigour and exam readiness, preparing students for school assessments, the PSLE and beyond.
How is the programme structured across Primary 1 to 6?
Primary 1 & 2: Pick up the P.A.C.E. with PEP
Students build strong foundations and early confidence through story-based, engaging learning, developing grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and skills across listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Primary 3 to 5: S.T.E.P. up with PEP
Learning becomes more rigorous and exam-focused, with progressive practice, writing techniques, increasingly challenging comprehension texts and exposure to exam-style questions and strategies.
Primary 6: Grow by L.E.A.P.s and bounds with PEP
Learning focuses on PSLE preparation, with targeted practice, exam strategies, writing techniques and Paper 1 and Paper 2 mock examinations to build confidence and exam readiness.
How does the programme prepare my child for school assessments and the PSLE?
Exam readiness is developed progressively rather than only beginning in Primary 6.
From Primary 3, students encounter increasingly challenging comprehension texts, higher-order MCQs and exam-style questions, while learning techniques to approach different question types effectively. In Primary 6, preparation becomes more focused on the PSLE, with targeted practice, exam strategies and Paper 1 and Paper 2 mock examinations to build familiarity, time management and confidence under exam conditions.
Does Primary English include online practice?
How do I know if the Primary English programme is suitable for my child?
Related reading
Browse Our Programmes
Tap a programme below to explore.
Reading Foundations | Pre-Reading Programme
Champion Readers | Reading Programme
Headstart to Primary 1 | K2 to P1 Bridging Programme
Primary English Programme
Your child will develop strong English skills from Primary 1 to 6 through engaging, story-based and theme-based learning that progressively builds grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and communication skills. As learning advances, your child will develop critical thinking, strengthen writing skills and gain the strategies and confidence needed for school assessments, the PSLE and beyond. Includes access to eLearning Platform: ICR Quest. Learn more →
Reading Foundations
Levels 1 to 3
Builds the skills children need before formal reading.
Your child will start recognising sounds that form a word, enjoy stories, improve their vocabulary and develop pre-reading skills.
Includes access to eLearning Platform: I Can Read Heroes.
Champion Readers
Levels 1 to 6
A structured programme that builds decoding, comprehension, grammar, and communication skills.
Your child will be guided to be curious and confident readers who can communicate with purpose and meaning.
Includes access to eLearning Platform: I Can Read Champs.
Headstart to Primary 1
Build your K2 child's confidence and readiness for Primary 1.
Your child will be well-prepared for the demands of Primary 1 in reading, writing, and communication.
Primary English
Your child will build strong language skills from Primary 1 to 6 while developing critical thinking abilities and creative expression.
Through engaging lessons your child will learn to think broadly, write imaginatively and express ideas with confidence and develop skills for assessment and exam readiness.
Includes access to eLearning Platform: ICR Quest.
What Parents Say About I Can Read
Real stories, real progress
