Q&A - PSLE Chinese

[phtthp]

Hi Chen lao shi,


If no time to go Chinese tuition, can kindly recommend which assessment or guide book off the shelf, is good for open-ended Chinese comprehension (li jie wen da)?

Thank you, very much.

[chenlaoshi]

phtthp:

Hi Chen lao shi,


If no time to go Chinese tuition, can kindly recommend which assessment or guide book off the shelf, is good for open-ended Chinese comprehension (li jie wen da)?

Thank you, very much.

Hi phtthp,

Guide book wise, you may want to take a look at this one:
https://s18.postimg.org/4y2tpmv8p/compre.jpg\">

Tips and pointers plus examples are the provided, followed by some exercises for practice. Quick preview snapshots:
https://s18.postimg.org/rzjevdfgp/compre_preview1.jpg\">
https://s18.postimg.org/o362ze26x/compre_preview2.jpg\">

[FantasyLandDreams]

Hi Chen Lao Shi,

In terms of weightage for Psle CL and HCL papers, is it true that we just need to revise P5 and P6 texts, and lesser of P4 textbook? Roughly what is the % weightage breakdown for P4 to P6? Thanks.

[chenlaoshi]

FantasyLandDreams:

Hi Chen Lao Shi,

In terms of weightage for Psle CL and HCL papers, is it true that we just need to revise P5 and P6 texts, and lesser of P4 textbook? Roughly what is the % weightage breakdown for P4 to P6? Thanks.

Hi FantasyLandDreams,

This question can be a little tricky in my opinion.

It is worth noting that syllabus text do not just appear as part of the choices for correct answer but can also be part of the question or appear in comprehension passage.

1. Yes, if the child knows P5 + P6 syllabus text very well, then CL Paper 2 mcq + cloze passage sections and HCL Paper 2 cloze passage + editing sections should not pose too much difficulty for them.

2. Not really sufficient esp. for comprehension passages and HCL Paper 2 editing section as the kid should be equipped with the understanding of as many words/phrases as possible so as to handle these sections with confidence.

The list of syllabus text (P1-P6) is available on MOE website here:
CL --> https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-source/document/education/syllabuses/mother-tongue-languages/files/character-list-primary-chinese-2007.pdf
HCL -->https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-source/document/education/syllabuses/mother-tongue-languages/files/character-list-primary-higher-chinese-2007.pdf

A little 'trivia': 沿(着) was a 识读字 in P4B and in P6A it became a 识写字. Similarly, P4B 戴 was a 识读字 and in P6A it became a 识写字. Other examples include 钻 and 剩. Likewise, there are 'overlapping' words between P5 and P6 too.

There are also idioms which may appear (as one of the mcq choices especially for cloze passage section or as part of the comprehension passage or as part of the correct answer to comprehension question).

Yet, if we refer to the list of syllabus text alone, we can only see words (字) or phrases (词语). Thus, it's worth spending time reading on the testable idioms too.
http://sapgrp.com.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/print_cover/3212503_CoverHi.jpg?itok=VC91jg8A\">

If we were to really put a weightage for P5 and P6 syllabus text, then it's probably around 70%. Sections like 完成对话 and 阅读理解二(A组) which is like graphic stimulus with note/message writing are pretty independent (i.e. not based on syllabus text alone).

Thus, my suggestion/points to note will be:
- Revise syllabus text P5,6 (meaning + pronunciation i.e. 汉语拼音. for HCL, to learn how to write too)
- At least read through briefly (if time is an issue) P4 syllabus text (and even lower primary)
- Understanding the meaning of testable idioms will be great (advantage/good to have)
- Expand range of vocab by learning unfamiliar words/phrases that the child may come across in passages while attempting practice/past yr exam papers

Sorry for the long post (if any clarification is needed, please feel free to let me know).

[FantasyLandDreams]

Thank you very much for your reply, 陈老师！

[mylulaoshi]

FantasyLandDreams:

Hi Chen Lao Shi,

In terms of weightage for Psle CL and HCL papers, is it true that we just need to revise P5 and P6 texts, and lesser of P4 textbook? Roughly what is the % weightage breakdown for P4 to P6? Thanks.

Pri 5&6 overlaps Pri 4. Pri 5 weighs a good 60% roughly as it has 18-20 Chapters. Pri 6 only 10 Chapters. A student with full Pri 5 syllabus mastery and basic Comprehension skills should secure low 'A' for Chinese (75-80%) by Pri 5 and PSLE.

[gafield]

P4 texts?! Oh no! I think DD P4 texts should be in Pulua Semakau by now

[iamastudent]

Hi, wish to share with all a good Chinese tutor in the East. She is kind and patient with students. She has proven records of helping weaker students to sustain their interest in the language and at the same time pull their results up. She is an experienced preschool and primary school tutor. Please pm me if interested. Thanks!


I was her student in primary school and my Chinese improved a lot since I met her. Wasn’t a straight A student before I met her but subsequently achieved A* for Chinese and Distinction for HCL. I developed an interest in Chinese Writing and entered Dunman High School. Thanks to her I managed to found my Forte in languages and took up H2 Translation (Chinese) for A level. Currently awaiting results and wish to continue to offer tuition for primary school students(I was a student tutor for 3 years before I decided to take a break for A levels).

Chinese is not a difficult language to learn and the most important part in to build the confidence in children so that they stay interested in the language and will be capable of doing well in the subject.

[kchairenn]

gafield:

P4 texts?! Oh no! I think DD P4 texts should be in Pulua Semakau by now

Though your books are in Pulau Semakau, you can use the XueLe website to read the passages.
As what others have suggested, doing more practice or revision papers to boost confidence is more important when in P6.

[gafield]

kchairenn:

gafield:

P4 texts?! Oh no! I think DD P4 texts should be in Pulua Semakau by now

Though your books are in Pulau Semakau, you can use the XueLe website to read the passages.
As what others have suggested, doing more practice or revision papers to boost confidence is more important when in P6.

I hope so too :xedfingers: