SINGAPORE - When Julia Wong first entered primary school six years ago, she had difficulties reading and writing in English. The Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School pupil would often fail her English assessments in the first semester in Primary 1.

She was subsequently placed in the learning support programme for about six months, where she learnt how to identify sounds, pronounce and spell words.

"Before the programme, I couldn't read or write English. I thought that something was wrong with me," said Julia, who would find time for practice even after school.

"But my teachers encouraged me, and they were very patient with me. The programme also helped build my confidence."

By the end of Primary 1, she had already caught up with her peers.

Even her family was surprised at the progress she was making. "My mother was shocked because I was failing back then, and then, suddenly, I improved by a lot," she said.

On Thursday (Nov 24), the 12-year-old bagged an A* for the English subject at the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). She also received an A* for mathematics, and two As for science and Chinese.

Julia, who was a prefect and a member of the school choir, said: "I didn't want to disappoint my teachers. They have worked very hard.

"Without their guidance, I wouldn't be able to do well."

Ms Angelin Chan, her form teacher for the past two years, said Julia has been a role model for her peers. "She is resilient, and her peers look up to her. Even the teachers have learnt a lot from her."

Julia, whose ambition is to become a teacher, hopes to help other pupils in future, just like how her teachers have done so for her.

"It would be good to give back, and help others who are just like me," she said.