Chinese As 2nd Language For non-Chinese

[Chutiya]

Hello all,


I would like to hear your views on taking up CHN as a MT for Non chinese ppl. I have enrolled my son for P1 next yr n y’day I had a call from the principal asking me to re-consider taking CHN. She was adament that we opt for other indian languages. since we are not Indians, whether we tk CHN, Tamil, malay , French or any other language will still be a new & foreign lang. to us.

While I know CHN will be difficult, son has been xposed to CHN since kindy and we are getting 1 to one from a tutor. Currently he’s OK with his studies and enjoys the lang.
Have you experianced pressure from schools to change like this? Without even trying out in school how can they judge that he’ll be a failure? if he’s really bad later we can try for an exemption. Am I right? before even starting the school yr, I hv a bad taset in the mouth already with this request fr. school.

Hope some of you can shed some light.
Thanks

[mum03]

Hi chutiya,

We are non chinese, and our DD takes chinese as her MT. Last year when i register her for Pri 1, the sch requested that I get a letter from her sch that she is proficient in the language.
So far, my DD is coping well in her MT. I pay extra attention, to this subject as i cud not coach her.
I am a Kiasu Parent so I send her to berries once a week, and she as home tuition twice a week. I know that its too much, that is the only way she cud be able to be on par with the native speaking kids. She as done well in her year end exam (band 1). I am extremly happy wz it.
As long as you can support him, and direct him on the right path, i m sure your child cud do well.
Don worry just inform the sch that you know what you r doing, and that u will take full responsibility.

[Chutiya]

Thanks mum03 for taking the time ro reply.

[devilsadvocate]

Hi,


I know this post has been ‘silent’ for over 8 months now.

But I am in a similar predicament.

As we would be moving to Singapore soon it appears that she would have to take either Malay, Tamil or Mandarin as her MT.

We are non-Chinese. My DD has some very basic Mandarin from her Kindie days. Would she be able to take Mandarin as a MT but not tested on the same?

Cheers,

Devils Advocate

[jtoh]

You’ll have to write in to MOE to seek exemption from MT.

[Chutiya]

Hello,


You can apply for an exemption. School has a form and you need to fill up. MOE will grant in most cases but will want you to take up another lang such as French German etc and you need to show the registration. as far as I know kid won’t be tested and no one checks on it. You can ask the school to let her stay in class so she can still take part and be exposed to the language (but depends on the school and teacher I suppose) my son’s class teacher mentioned that fr P3 onwards they will be kept out of class.

[Everything and the Mom]

Hi all, may I find out how your children cope with Chinese as 2nd language? Do you have any recommended tutors? My daughter will be in Primary 1 next year and she has been learning Mandarin since Playgroup and we would like her to continue with the language although my husband and I are non-Chinese and we don’t speak Mandarin. Any advice on growing her vocab other than weekly enrichment classes? Thanks in advance for your help.

[zaza rissa]

Hi,

I’m registering my girl for next yr primary 1. We are non chinese and would like for her to take up Chinese as 2nd language since she’s been learning it from her childcare. What are the procedures and supporting documents we have to submit? I saw a few posts from 2010 and 2011 but im wondering if the steps are still the same.

[pirated]

zaza rissa:

Hi,

I'm registering my girl for next yr primary 1. We are non chinese and would like for her to take up Chinese as 2nd language since she's been learning it from her childcare. What are the procedures and supporting documents we have to submit? I saw a few posts from 2010 and 2011 but im wondering if the steps are still the same.

if your own mother tongue (TL, ML, etc) is not available as a second language in school, it will be easier to register, I guess ? Else you need to explain to MOE why you are not doing your own mother tongue

can call MOE to inquire first

https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/retur ... gue-policy

have seen Caucasians and south asians doing Chinese language for second language and no issue at all and doing well too

[zaza rissa]

pirated:

zaza rissa:

Hi,

I'm registering my girl for next yr primary 1. We are non chinese and would like for her to take up Chinese as 2nd language since she's been learning it from her childcare. What are the procedures and supporting documents we have to submit? I saw a few posts from 2010 and 2011 but im wondering if the steps are still the same.

if your own mother tongue (TL, ML, etc) is not available as a second language in school, it will be easier to register, I guess ? Else you need to explain to MOE why you are not doing your own mother tongue

can call MOE to inquire first

https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/retur ... gue-policy

have seen Caucasians and south asians doing Chinese language for second language and no issue at all and doing well too

Thanks for the info :). Reason i want my girl to take Chinese is because she's been taking the language since nursery and i wish for her to continue it. Will try to email to MOE.