Secondary School Chinese

[newbieks]

chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"1965661\" time=\"1583161884\" user_id=\"162894:

newbieks\" post_id=\"1965463\" time=\"1583024849\" user_id=\"178749:

Chenlaoshi, May I know what is the usual practice to penalise for 错别字for comprehension section? Is there a max number of marks that can be deducted for the whole paper?

For IP, the student will take HCL in Sec 4 and meet the schools requirement to be promoted to JC1 right? Is HCL result in anyway important for university admission?

Thanks.

Hi newbieks,

For O Level HCL

-> The deduction of marks for 错别字 is applicable to Paper 1 email writing and compo writing. Each 错别字 is -0.5 marks, max. deduction is 2 marks for email writing and 4 marks for compo writing.

-> For Paper 2, student won't be deducted marks just because of 错别字. The main repercussions of 错别字 in Paper 2 are:
(1) marks won't be awarded for the particular question since there are so many 错别字/错字 in the answer to the extent that it affects the understanding the answer's content
(2) the 表达 component of the 片段缩写 question (4 out of 12 marks) will be affected

Some schools such as RI do apply marks deduction for 错别字 in Paper 2 in school examinations though, partly to highlight the importance of writing the words correctly to the students. In such cases, the deduction is -0.5 marks for every 2 错别字, max. deduction is 4 marks for Paper 2.

Yes, a pass in HCL is the min. requirement for Year 4. The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Requirement for university admission is fairly 'easy' to meet.
[quote]Meet the Mother Tongue Language (MTL) requirement for admission by having one of the following*:

Minimum of D7 for the higher MTL paper taken at the 'O' Level examination.
Minimum of ‘S’/ ‘D7’ grade for the H1/‘AO Level’ MTL paper or General Studies in Chinese.
Minimum of 'S'/‘O’ grade for the H2/‘A Level’ MTLL paper taken at the 'A' Level examination.
Pass in the MTL 'B' Syllabus paper at the 'A' Level examination.

A good MTL result is a \"nice-to-have\":
[quote]The University will include the MTL subject grade in the scoring only if it raises the competitiveness of the candidate. [/quote][quote]If you have done well in your MTL subject at the ‘A’ Level examination, you are allowed to use the MTL bonus points to gain admission to the Arts & Social Sciences (MTL Related) Courses. [/quote][quote]Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' Level
http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/when-you-apply/mtl-related-courses[/quote][/quote]Thanks, chenlaoshi. I know that for comprehension section, both RGS and NYGH deducts 1 mark for every 2 错别字。So I thought that is the norm. Not really to the extent of affecting the understanding of the meaning kind. Not sure if there is a max cap for 错别字mark deduction though. Guess really drill the kid to be mindful of what he/she writes. For my child, it is a bad habit formed since primary school, but given that comprehension is not that such a big portion, and no outright penalty for paper 1, guess she did not really feel the pinch then.

[chenlaoshi]

newbieks\" post_id=\"1965674\" time=\"1583193285\" user_id=\"178749:

Thanks, chenlaoshi. I know that for comprehension section, both RGS and NYGH deducts 1 mark for every 2 错别字。So I thought that is the norm. Not really to the extent of affecting the understanding of the meaning kind. Not sure if there is a max cap for 错别字mark deduction though. Guess really drill the kid to be mindful of what he/she writes. For my child, it is a bad habit formed since primary school, but given that comprehension is not that such a big portion, and no outright penalty for paper 1, guess she did not really feel the pinch then.

I see, newbieks. For marking scheme, sections tested etc. in Year 1 and 2 or lower Sec, it still varies across schools. Year/Sec 3 onwards, the exam format and marking scheme will be in accordance to O'Level.

Yeah, it's good to let them feel the pinch so that there's enough time and opportunities to work on this issue. Also, they will tend to take more notice of such kind of errors and learn from them, esp. when the marks deducted are of a sizable amount (whereas they might just 'brush them off' as minor issues). It can be an issue of/combination of carelessness, consequence of rush job, lack of/no checking, lack of foundation/practice in writing of characters etc.

[MathematicsMagic]

I am curious about something.


How much harder is secondary CL, if compared to primary HCL? And in what way, if you can elaborate? Or is it more like just the difference in the way how the exam tests student?

比起小学高华，中学普华有多难？怎么个难法？还是更多是在考学生的方法不一样而已？

[chenlaoshi]

MathematicsMagic\" post_id=\"1967039\" time=\"1584169804\" user_id=\"175446:

I am curious about something.

How much harder is secondary CL, if compared to primary HCL? And in what way, if you can elaborate? Or is it more like just the difference in the way how the exam tests student?

比起小学高华，中学普华有多难？怎么个难法？还是更多是在考学生的方法不一样而已？

If during Primary school, the child's learning of the language is mainly via studying textbook words and phrases and memorizing descriptive phrases simply to fit them into compo writing (死背硬记) + little/no reading beyond syllabus text, then Secondary school CL will be quite a challenge, even if they were to score high As or A* (or in the case of HCL, Distinction). For this type of preparation method, there's a serious lack of reading involved - they barely read the passages in the stories and probably only focus on the words that 'need to be learnt', making comprehension passages their only other form of passage/story reading.

For Secondary school (HCL aside), the way students are tested, is no much different from Primary school - the main sections being cloze passage and comprehensions. However, they face the following challenges:

- variety of passage types encountered 说明文、记叙文、议论文 etc.
- rhetoric approaches to appreciate and apply 比喻、拟人、夸张、排比 etc.
- broader themes/topics covered, more personal takes/opinions required (critical thinking skills + increase range of vocab required to articulate one's views)
- idioms, proverbs, quotes/examples relating to historical characters and references to famous incidents appear every now and then in passages - while the students may be able to infer based on contextual clues, having prior understanding/background knowledge will be beneficial.

As for Secondary school HCL, the students command of the language is tested even further - grammar skills and range of vocab (since their oral format requires them to present a verbal report; there's a forum style question as one of the option under paper 1 email writing section; their compo is 60 marks vs. CL's 40 marks and there are editing and summarizing sections in written paper).

Again, relying on Sec school CL/HCL textbook alone will not be sufficient if one aspires to achieve good grades.

[jj_1808]

Can anyone share of the methods on how to make the children able to master 中学成语250条 (250 CHINESE IDIOMS FOR SECONDARY LEVEL) well?

[chenlaoshi]

jj_1808\" post_id=\"1973849\" time=\"1588517689\" user_id=\"31403:

Can anyone share of the methods on how to make the children able to master 中学成语250条 (250 CHINESE IDIOMS FOR SECONDARY LEVEL) well?

Accumulative learning
- I cover 5 idioms per week in alphabetical order (school teachers will go by syllabus order). In this way, the range of idioms covered is kind of \"extended\" over the same period of time.

Formative and summative assessment
- 造句 homework for the idioms learnt each week
- mini test after every 25 idioms covered

Strengthen understanding
- Let the students have something to associate the idiom with. Origin of the idiom (成语故事) is one good way. I would suggest watching video rather reading from printed text. (Still remember watching《成语动画廊》on Channel 8 when I was young. )

- Grab the opportunity to broaden their horizons and inculcate interest in CL
e.g. when explaining 大公无私 (impartial), besides sharing the 成语故事, I elaborated by introducing 包拯 (Justice Bao).

another e.g. 东窗事发 (plot is exposed), 秦桧 and his wife 王氏 were mentioned in the 成语故事. From there, I go on to cover 岳飞 and the origin of 油条

Besides forming a deeper impression, it helps the kids learn more about Chinese history and culture. For instance, idioms involving military/historical warfare, such as 破釜沉舟 and 四面楚歌 managed to arouse the interest of some of my students in reading classical novels like 《三国演义》 and 《水浒传》 too.

Regular application
- In email & compo writing, oral or even compre, challenge the kids to articulate their views; explain certain phrases or substitute idioms with the ones they have learnt

======
On a side note, the 250 idioms is not sufficient imo. It will be kind of negative to restrict one's learning to the limit.

Take 2017 O'Level HCL paper for example. In the cloze passage section, 万无一失 and 全力以赴 appeared as options. In the same year's compre passage, there are idioms 装腔作势 and 脱胎换骨. All these 4 idioms are not amongst the 250 idioms.

Therefore, I would encourage parents and students to seize every opportunity to expand their range of vocab. Build your own list/notes by checking out the idioms that appear in cloze & compre passages and articles which you come across.

[jj_1808]

Thanks

[ammonite]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone have recommendations for chinese tv dramas that are suitable for secondary school age boys? Preferably something light and NOT in the style of K-drama or chinese imperial palace drama and no local dramas. Thank you!

[zac's mum]

ammonite\" post_id=\"1974322\" time=\"1588817108\" user_id=\"50141:

Hi, I am wondering if anyone have recommendations for chinese tv dramas that are suitable for secondary school age boys? Preferably something light and NOT in the style of K-drama or chinese imperial palace drama and no local dramas. Thank you!

Do boys even like dramas? Lol...maybe those with more action like 神雕侠侣?

We are watching 冲上云霄 Series 1 with DS these hols 🥰 Unfortunately couldn’t find Mandarin version so we are watching it in the original Cantonese haha.

[chenlaoshi]

ammonite\" post_id=\"1974322\" time=\"1588817108\" user_id=\"50141:

Hi, I am wondering if anyone have recommendations for chinese tv dramas that are suitable for secondary school age boys? Preferably something light and NOT in the style of K-drama or chinese imperial palace drama and no local dramas. Thank you!

I think 动漫 and 动态漫画 would be a good start to cultivate interest in the language and patience in following through a series.
三毛流浪记 (https://www.wowodm.net/cartoon/779335.html)
三国演义 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKF5Y1S7Ujs&list=PLwtGjY1jrSDccJuPIqVHoXPHovd1RBJQ5)
长歌行 (https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTM2Njk2NDU0MA==.html)

武侠剧 and 仙侠剧 are not as 'heavy' as 历史剧 but because some of the dialogues may involve Classical Chinese (文言文), they might not be able to fully appreciate yet.

校园剧 would be suitable for upper Sec and older.