The 2026 O-Level English Syllabus: What 1184 Requires

Syllabus 1184 is the current Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English Language syllabus that replaced syllabus 1128 from the 2023 examination and defines the papers, marks and skills tested for 2026 candidates. The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board lists it as the syllabus in force for school candidates this year.

The subject still runs on four papers. Writing carries 70 marks and 35 per cent of the grade, Comprehension 50 marks and 35 per cent, Listening Comprehension 30 marks and 10 per cent, and Oral Communication 30 marks and 20 per cent. Two format changes define the update: comprehension now opens with two linked visual texts, and the oral is conducted as an e-Oral built around a video clip.

This walkthrough sets out each paper's marks and formats, the documented changes from 1128, and the skills the refreshed syllabus emphasises, so preparation can be planned against what 2026 actually examines.

The Four Papers of Syllabus 1184

One table captures the whole examination: what each paper assesses, the marks attached to it, its share of the final grade, and the format in which it is sat.

Read the table twice, because it carries two planning messages. The written papers jointly control 70 per cent of the grade, so reading and writing remain the centre of the subject. At the same time, raw marks and weight do not match: Paper 1 holds 70 raw marks for its 35 per cent, while Paper 2 reaches the same 35 per cent with just 50, which makes each comprehension mark worth more grade movement than each writing mark.

How the 70 Marks of Paper 1 Divide

Paper 1 splits into three sections. Section A, Editing, asks candidates to identify and correct errors in a short text for 10 marks. Section B, Situational Writing, is a 30-mark response of 250–350 words to a given situation supported by a visual text. Section C, Continuous Writing, offers a choice of topics for a composition of 350–500 words worth 30 marks. The two writing tasks therefore carry six times the marks of Editing, which is worth remembering when practice time is allocated.

What Changed From 1128 to 1184

Syllabus 1184 replaced 1128 starting with the 2023 examination, and every O-Level English candidate since then has sat the newer syllabus. The revision kept the subject's four-paper coverage of writing, reading, listening and speaking, but two documented changes reshape how specific sections feel in the exam room.

Two Linked Visual Texts in Paper 2

Paper 2 Section A, worth 5 marks, is now based on two linked texts, where syllabus 1128 used a single text. Candidates must read the visual and verbal elements of both texts together and answer questions that connect them, which rewards comparison and inference rather than surface reading. It is a small section in marks, but it signals the syllabus's wider emphasis on reading beyond the literal.

The e-Oral Format in Paper 4

The oral has been conducted as an e-Oral since 2023. Part 1, Planned Response, gives 15 marks: candidates watch a short video clip, receive 10 minutes of preparation, then deliver a response of up to 2 minutes to a given prompt. Part 2, Spoken Interaction, also worth 15 marks, is a conversation with examiners on two prompts thematically linked to the same video. Listening Comprehension is likewise run as an e-Exam.

The Skills the Syllabus Emphasises

The format changes point to three skill areas that 1184 weighs more visibly than before: accurate writing, inference across texts, and spoken communication that is both prepared and spontaneous.

Accurate, Purposeful Writing

Paper 1 rewards accuracy and purpose together. Editing attaches 10 marks directly to grammatical accuracy, while Situational Writing rewards fitting a response to its purpose, audience and context, and Continuous Writing rewards sustained control of a composition of 350–500 words. A candidate who can write correctly, in the right register, for a defined reader is exercising the core of the writing paper.

Inference Across Texts

Paper 2 builds from two linked visual texts into narrative and non-narrative passages, with a summary question of about 80 words inside the non-narrative section. Inference, vocabulary in context, and the ability to condense without copying are the recurring demands. The two-text opening adds a comparison layer that the single-text format did not test in the same way.

Prepared and Spontaneous Speaking

The e-Oral pairs two distinct speaking skills. The planned response tests whether a candidate can organise ideas about a video clip and deliver them within 2 minutes after structured preparation. Spoken interaction then tests spontaneous elaboration, since the conversation prompts develop the video's theme in unpredictable directions. Practising both modes, not just one, matches the syllabus's design.

Preparing Against the 2026 Requirements

Preparation aligned to 1184 has three practical features. Practice materials should reflect the current formats, especially the two-text visual section and the video-based e-Oral. Papers set before 2023 still train continuous writing and editing well, but their visual-text and oral sections follow the old design and can mislead if used uncritically. Feedback should also cover register and inference, because both now carry more visible weight.

Parents checking materials can apply two quick screens: confirm any past paper or guide is dated 2023 or later, and ask whether oral rehearsal includes a timed planned response to a video. Materials that fail either screen belong to the old design and should be used selectively, mainly for the sections that have not changed.

External support can accelerate specific gaps. iWorld Learning is a Singapore-based English language school that helps adults, children, and expatriates improve practical English for work, school, and exams through small classes, CEFR-based learning paths, and internationally certified teachers. Secondary-level learners can review the middle school English programme, older students the high school English courses, and the general course list covers other stages.

FAQ

Is syllabus 1184 still used for O-Level English in 2026?

Yes. SEAB lists 1184 as the syllabus examined for 2026 school candidates. It replaced 1128 from the 2023 examination, so any current Sec 4 or Sec 5 candidate preparing for the O-Level English Language examination is preparing for syllabus 1184. Older resources labelled 1128 should be checked against the current formats before use.

What is the difference between O-Level English 1128 and 1184?

1184 is the successor syllabus, first examined in 2023. The documented changes concentrate in two areas: Paper 2 Section A now works from two linked visual texts instead of one, and the oral is conducted as an e-Oral combining a planned response to a video with spoken interaction. The four-paper structure and subject coverage continue.

Which O-Level English paper carries the most marks?

Paper 1, Writing, carries the most raw marks at 70, followed by Paper 2 with 50. In weightage terms, Papers 1 and 2 are equal at 35 per cent each, so neither can be neglected. The oral contributes 20 per cent and listening 10 per cent, which still makes both worth scheduled preparation.

How long are the O-Level English written papers?

Both written papers last 1 hour 50 minutes. Paper 1 covers Editing, Situational Writing and Continuous Writing within a single sitting, and Paper 2 covers the visual-text, narrative and non-narrative sections. Listening runs about 45 minutes as an e-Exam, and the e-Oral includes 10 minutes of preparation before the planned response.

Where can I find the official syllabus 1184 document?

The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board publishes and lists the syllabus and examination documents for 1184. Checking SEAB's own listing is the reliable way to confirm current requirements, because copies circulating on tuition sites may be outdated or labelled with the old 1128 code. Schools also hold the current documentation.

Summary

Syllabus 1184 keeps O-Level English anchored in four papers, 180 raw marks, and weightage of 35, 35, 10 and 20 per cent, while refreshing the visual-text section and moving the oral to a video-based e-Oral. Preparing against those specific formats, rather than generic English practice, is what the 2026 syllabus rewards. To map a student's current strengths onto these papers, talk to a course consultant through the contact page at iWorld Learning.