Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[SG_KP1]

Cherishnews\" post_id=\"2068301\" time=\"1653275764\" user_id=\"198198:

Hello! May I know which primary schools are strong in Chinese language? I only heard of Pei Hwa and Nanyang at the moment.

Besides the SAP Schools (which are more difficult to get in unless you have Phase 2A or 2B rights), I would also look at whether the school offers HCL in P3-P4-P5-P6 or just in P5-P6. You can also see if the school has an immersion or internationalisation programme or what other CL related activities the school promotes.

Regardless of the school, IMO try to get the kids more exposure to Chinese related activities that are not just school work related. Developing internal interest will give the kid a chance to do well wherever they are. In contrast, if the subject becomes \"one of four compulsory graded classes\" then the kid will only put in so much effort (some may still be able to do well marks wise if that is your only or main objective) and doing so will be a pain / something they don't really look forward to.

[SG_KP1]

floppy\" post_id=\"2068306\" time=\"1653278598\" user_id=\"97579:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Assistance_Plan

There's a reason why they are called 特别辅助计划 の 特选学校.

I assume the two other (non-SAP) SHHKs are \"better than most\" (famous sports announcer phrase)? Perhaps \"offering more than the average school\" is another way to put it...

[Cherishnews]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2068309\" time=\"1653280074\" user_id=\"188234:

Besides the SAP Schools (which are more difficult to get in unless you have Phase 2A or 2B rights), I would also look at whether the school offers HCL in P3-P4-P5-P6 or just in P5-P6. You can also see if the school has an immersion or internationalisation programme or what other CL related activities the school promotes.

Regardless of the school, IMO try to get the kids more exposure to Chinese related activities that are not just school work related. Developing internal interest will give the kid a chance to do well wherever they are. In contrast, if the subject becomes \"one of four compulsory graded classes\" then the kid will only put in so much effort (some may still be able to do well marks wise if that is your only or main objective) and doing so will be a pain / something they don't really look forward to.

Thank you for the advice! I did a Google search and seems like now all primary schools offer HCL. My kid is pretty good in Chinese so I hope he will continue to thrive in this area. I’m not really aiming HCL specifically though. Just hoping that the primary school he will be in in the future will provide a good environment for maintaining or enhancing his mother tongue.

[SG_KP1]

Cherishnews\" post_id=\"2068322\" time=\"1653285782\" user_id=\"198198:

Thank you for the advice! I did a Google search and seems like now all primary schools offer HCL. My kid is pretty good in Chinese so I hope he will continue to thrive in this area. I’m not really aiming HCL specifically though. Just hoping that the primary school he will be in in the future will provide a good environment for maintaining or enhancing his mother tongue.

I think all schools will offer HCL at least in P5 and P6. Some (besides the SAP schools) may start earlier (P3) but I don't think all will. There are some \"normal\" CL classes that are using the HCL materials in the lower-middle primary years. I'd guess this is mainly the case if the school think it has a class (or two) that can handle it.

I don't have any firsthand knowledge of this school but it looked like they are offering HCL in P3 and they also have a decent amount of Chinese related activities (although maybe not as many as the SAP schools). Not sure how this would rank among all of the other schools.

https://rivervalleypri.moe.edu.sg/rv-curriculum/curriculum-and-instruction-cni/mother-tongue

[Liew Nga Wing]

Cherishnews\" post_id=\"2068322\" time=\"1653285782\" user_id=\"198198:

My kid is pretty good in Chinese so I hope he will continue to thrive in this area. I’m not really aiming HCL specifically though. Just hoping that the primary school he will be in in the future will provide a good environment for maintaining or enhancing his mother tongue.

Your kid is pretty good in Chinese, would you like to share how can he do it? Parents speak mandarin to him or he likes to read Chinese books or TV drama?

[Cherishnews]

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2068333\" time=\"1653288652\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2068333 time=1653288652 user_id=195250]
Your kid is pretty good in Chinese, would you like to share how can he do it? Parents speak mandarin to him or he likes to read Chinese books or TV drama?[/quote]

Yes we are a Chinese-speaking family.

[Imp75]

The SHHK schools start hcl at P1 for all pupils. Only pupils who can’t cope are advised to proceed to cl only from P5 onwards…

[Zeal mummy]

Cherishnews\" post_id=\"2068335\" time=\"1653289178\" user_id=\"198198:

Yes we are a Chinese-speaking family.

Perfect for SAP schools! Choose one that is close to your home and you are all set!

[floppy]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2068387\" time=\"1653313123\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2068387 time=1653313123 user_id=58173]
Perfect for SAP schools! Choose one that is close to your home and you are all set![/quote]

Hold that beer.

Cherishnews will need to be close enough to one, ie less than 1km, survive a balloting before the kid is all set.

[floppy]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2068311\" time=\"1653280900\" user_id=\"188234:

I assume the two other (non-SAP) SHHKs are \"better than most\" (famous sports announcer phrase)? Perhaps \"offering more than the average school\" is another way to put it...

To some extent, I think that’s true (offering more than the average school).

Few non-SAP schools can offer to start all their Chinese students on HCL in P1. Even fewer primary schools can afford the same programs as the SAP schools. Being affiliated to one of the largest and richest clan in Singapore, I think they are more well-funded compared to other primary schools.