Secondary School Chinese

[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.

[phtthp]

Hi chenlaoshi,



would like to inquire.

above 250 Chinese proverbs (idioms cheng yu) appeared (often tested), inside O-level

- Standard Chinese Paper 2 , or

- inside Higher Chinese Paper 2 ?

Thank you, for clarification.

[chenlaoshi]

phtthp\" post_id=\"1974363\" time=\"1588833485\" user_id=\"35251:

Hi chenlaoshi,


would like to inquire.

above 250 Chinese proverbs (idioms) appeared (often tested), inside O-level

- Standard Chinese Paper 2 , or

- inside Higher Chinese Paper 2 ?

Thank you, for clarification.

Hi phtthp,

For CL, the list is 135 idioms ('simplified' from the list of 250 idioms for HCL - i.e. HCL's is 135+ 115 more idioms).

Since the change in exam format in 2016, CL's cloze passage remains at 10 questions whereas HCL's cloze passage is reduced from 10 questions to 5.

Due to the additional questions in CL's cloze passage, it is not surprising to see more idioms appearing in CL paper 2 than HCL's (e.g. when 2 of the cloze passage's questions are testing on idiom, 8 idioms will be listed as options).