2022 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (born in 2010)

[jlytze]

kiasumommy123\" post_id=\"2089211\" time=\"1668850478\" user_id=\"199946:

BTW, is this good? Anyone go for it last year?

Hi, yes my dd found it pretty useful! Helped in her in deciding between Japanese and Spanish!

[jlytze]

kiasumommy123\" post_id=\"2089211\" time=\"1668850478\" user_id=\"199946:

BTW, is this good? Anyone go for it last year?

Hi, yes my dd found it pretty useful! Helped in her in deciding between Japanese and Spanish!

[loyzy]

kiasumommy123\" post_id=\"2089211\" time=\"1668850478\" user_id=\"199946:

BTW, is this good? Anyone go for it last year?

Ya went for it last year too. Tot it was very informative. At least had a better idea of what each language is about instead of sending my ds in blind.

[loyzy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2088666\" time=\"1668334477\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2088666 time=1668334477 user_id=53606]
What was the AL cut-off last year to be offered these four 3rd languages?[/quote]

Your kid thinking of doing a 3rd language too? Which language would u choose?

[EarlGrey019]

Hi, we are also considering 3rd lang either Spanish or German. Really appreciate if anyone can share the pro and cons between the above two langs.


I also heard from some friends that Japanese is the most difficult with highest dropping rate. Is this true?

[SG_KP1]

EarlGrey019\" post_id=\"2089336\" time=\"1668992011\" user_id=\"198855:

Hi, we are also considering 3rd lang either Spanish or German. Really appreciate if anyone can share the pro and cons between the above two langs.

I also heard from some friends that Japanese is the most difficult with highest dropping rate. Is this true?

I think first question is whether the student just has more internal interest in one or the other for whatever reason. If not, second question is what does the student intend to do with one of the languages (or accumulate some option value) or is it just for fun (just pick either)? The base of Spanish speakers around the world is larger. However, does the kid want to go to these regions or is he/she likely to end up there? Spanish may have some value in parts of the U.S. but I don't think it is critical. Individually, Germany is still a larger economy and some industries may have more of a global presence (including Asia).

I am not sure on difficulty, but my general impression is that Spanish is a fairly easy language to learn (again, relatively speaking; all of these can be hard if not interested or not linguistically inclined).

Also, I think German is only at Bishan MOELC while Spanish is only at Newton MOELC. If truly indifferent between the two, I will consider location vs. secondary school and route back home; additional time on the road 1x per week (and getting home very late) is a real factor.

[EarlGrey019]

Noted that. Thanks for sharing SG_KP1.

[phtthp]

EarlGrey019\" post_id=\"2089369\" time=\"1669003181\" user_id=\"198855:

Noted that. Thanks for sharing SG_KP1.

Yes, SG_KP1 is correct

Spanish : is only taught at Newton (MOELC)

while

German : Is only taught at Bishan (MOELC)

So, may consider,
is your house nearer to (Bishan or Newton) ?


Bishan :
on both (red line and orange colored Circle line) MRT


Newton :
on both (red North-South line and blue colored Downtown line, next to Steven station) mrt

[decollette]

EarlGrey019\" post_id=\"2089336\" time=\"1668992011\" user_id=\"198855:

Hi, we are also considering 3rd lang either Spanish or German. Really appreciate if anyone can share the pro and cons between the above two langs.

I also heard from some friends that Japanese is the most difficult with highest dropping rate. Is this true?

Japanese has 3 writing systems, there is indeed alot to pick up for a beginner, the sentence structure also differs from the English language.
Gotta say it really helps if you are good in chinese. I did japanese for a few years formally after being exposed to the language at a previous job.

[SG_KP1]

Yes, I think a basic question is do you like MT? All of these (MT and Third Lang) are easier and more fun if someone is doing something with the language beyond the basic course materials. I.e. read, watch tv shows, listen to music in whatever language. If not really interested and only trying because "eligible," one will most likely fall by the wayside sometime during Sec 1 (which is fine; there are a lot of other ways to spend your time in secondary school).


There are exceptions, such as don’t like MT but somehow attached to a Third Lang (Japanese cartoons, etc). But at the core, the student likely needs to want to put in time beyond the basic class time / hw to get the most out of things. If not, just give it a pass is probably the better route…