[PSLE MT] PSLE less weightage in Chinese / Mother Tongue
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Busymom:
Most parents here would agree that reading is the best way to improve a child's language proficiency.
Actually a more interesting way to learn a language is thru songs. One day I showed DD 童年 by 劉文正 on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOib_26bFRo&feature=related
She was so interested that she asked me to print out the lyrics for her to sing :love:
Mandarin oldies usually have beautiful lyrics and melodies and are great for learning the language. Here are a few songs I plan to introduce to DD.
蘭花草 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cz4JJY6Wl0&feature=related
橄欖樹 齊豫 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjQmZ8t8nQ&feature=related
I used to sing a lot of Eng folk songs when in school, which helped me a lot in learning Eng too
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Just for sharing, FB page created on this matter.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/fan-dui-jiang-diPSLE-mu-yu-cheng-ji-bi-zhong/113447375354697?v=wall -
minnie2004:
Oooh, these were my favourites when I was young! :love: Thanks for link, I have almost forgotten about them already! :oops:
Mandarin oldies usually have beautiful lyrics and melodies and are great for learning the language. Here are a few songs I plan to introduce to DD.
蘭花草 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cz4JJY6Wl0&feature=related
橄欖樹 齊豫 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjQmZ8t8nQ&feature=related -
ksi:
:goodpost:
Actually I do not think there is anything wrong with the statement in bold. For parents who did an excellent job to create that competitive edge, why not? I am not one of those parents as my kid's level of Chinese is not competent, however I give kudos to parents who are able to do so. What is wrong in giving credit where it is due? I do not think my child is born inherent with the lack of ability to learn the language, what I do know is that I have not done the right thing enough resulting in this. Should I feel that since I did not do as well as those parents who did better, I should pro this motion to help my child gain back some advantage? Maybe you think that I am dumb, but I am willing to admit that I did not develop my child well enough in learning the Chinese language as a mother tongue. I am willing to make amends and work towards it, but not at the expense of others.3Boys:
To those who scream 'UNFAIR', the motivation for opposing this measure is then very clear. It is not about promoting the standards of Chinese, but rather, preserving your competitive advantage over other students.
Actually, if the lowering of the weightage of MT is to go through, it will definately benefit my kids. BUT I'm NOT SUPPORTING this. The standard is already so low now and if this goes through, the standard of MT will become a joke... -
[quote]
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Chinese, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.[/quote]For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in English, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Math, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Science, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
See the difference? while the above argument seems possible, they do not seem as 'smooth' if compared to the subject 'Chinese', cos (i reiterate) it strongly suggests that 'academic progression' (on a broad basis, not meaning linguistically) is independent of the command of one's Chinese - if that's the case, i dare MOE to admit that they deem Chinese as a less important subject rather than hide behind the screen of saying that the reduction in weightage is intended to \"http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052718/1/.html -
Multiple replies, with varying takes on what I said. Again, when acting as a lightning rod, which appears a fav past-time of mine recently, the risk is accruing a plethora of negative responses, with the respondents seemingly thinking that they are in agreement with each other, when in fact they may subtly differ on their positions.
Chinese language education is super-politicised isn’t it? It has been from long ago, when the Chinese speaking were in the majority, and drove the over-weightage of CL2. Thankfully common sense prevailed eventually. If MOE announced it were increasing the weightage of math by 50%, I doubt we would get 40 pages of posts in KSP forum.
Be it what it may, the MOE has set the direction based upon the realities on the ground, and rightfully avoided the ‘pork barrel’ of special interest groups in making its decision. That in itself, is brave and forward thinking, and I for one and glad and applaud them for it. -
3Boys:
It has been from long ago, when the Chinese speaking were in the majority, and drove the over-weightage of CL2.
This statement in itself is already incorrect.
CL2 was not over-weighted in comparison to EL even when Chinese speaking were the majority. EL was 100, CL2 was 100, Maths was 50 and Science was 50 up to 1985. The English-speaking should not feel that they were penalised by such a policy.
My BIL who graduated from Uni in the 80s, could not speak or understand much Mandarin even though he is 100% Chinese. He had to pick up Mandarin after started working by going for class. I guess this is the kind of productive adult you feel Singapore needs.
Even multiple replies with some subtle differences, I believe everyone here agrees with what others are posting. There are always more than one angle to an agruement. Do you watch debate at all? -
Busymom:
So, it was overweight in comparison with other subjects other than English, and out of all proportion to its economic importance at the time. If you do not recall, this was political hot potato at the time. If you even dared to speak out of turn, you would have the Chinese Ed harangue you and hurl all sorts of insults your way. It even happened in the classroom.3Boys:
It has been from long ago, when the Chinese speaking were in the majority, and drove the over-weightage of CL2.
This statement in itself is already incorrect.
CL2 was not over-weighted in comparison to EL even when Chinese speaking were the majority. EL was 100, CL2 was 100, Maths was 50 and Science was 50 up to 1985. The English-speaking should not feel that they were penalised by such a policy.
My BIL who graduated from Uni in the 80s, could not speak or understand much Mandarin even though he is 100% Chinese. He had to pick up Mandarin after started working by going for class. I guess this is the kind of productive adult you feel Singapore needs.
Even multiple replies with some subtle differences, I believe everyone here agrees with what others are posting. There are always more than one angle to an agruement. Do you watch debate at all?
As to your second point, it merely proves what I have said. Despite the high weightage at the time, your BIL did NOT develop a proficiency in the language. Setting the bar high for weightage has little bearing on driving proficiency, whereas motivation (like your BIL in adulthood) and teaching technique do. Thank you for illustrating the point. -
i just had this novelty idea...
how about letting parents opt (prior to PSLE) which of the 4 subjects they want to reduce the weightage to 25%. so all the parents have their fair choice of opting for their weakest subject. :idea: -
jedamum:
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in English, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.[quote]
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Chinese, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Math, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
For folk who are encumbered by a lack of ability in Science, this is no longer an incentive to perform better, but rather a punitive measure by which further academic progression is inhibited.
See the difference? while the above argument seems possible, they do not seem as 'smooth' if compared to the subject 'Chinese', cos (i reiterate) it strongly suggests that 'academic progression' (on a broad basis, not meaning linguistically) is independent of the command of one's Chinese - if that's the case, i dare MOE to admit that they deem Chinese as a less important subject rather than hide behind the screen of saying that the reduction in weightage is intended to \"http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052718/1/.html[/quote]I agree. My dd's strength is is the languages and arts. Since P1, she has struggled with Math till now (P3) and i am sure she will continue to struggle all the way to P6. She spends a huge amt of time practicing her maths sums just to make sure that she maintains the average scores.
We recognise that she will not be able to get a stellar PSLE score even when she does very well in the other 3 subjects which she is good at. So, secretly, my hub and I have discussed the possibility of sending her overseas to further her studies shd she failed to go to the sch of her choice to pursue her interests. Does the government cry over the lose of such students? I am sure there are many like my dd and their talents may surpass hers.
What I am trying to point out is that the government has double standard when it comes to the argument that they do not want to lose the bright sparks who are good in 3 subjects but weak in MT. Do kids who are good in 3 subjects but weak in Math has a dimmer spark in comparison?
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