2022 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (born in 2010)
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Noted that. Thanks for sharing SG_KP1.
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EarlGrey019\" post_id=\"2089369\" time=\"1669003181\" user_id=\"198855:
Yes, SG_KP1 is correct
Noted that. Thanks for sharing SG_KP1.
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 -
EarlGrey019\" post_id=\"2089336\" time=\"1668992011\" user_id=\"198855:
Japanese has 3 writing systems, there is indeed alot to pick up for a beginner, the sentence structure also differs from the English language.
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?
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. -
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… -
I guess in terms of popularity, Japanese is first followed by French, German and lastly Spanish?
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I would pick Spanish first given that it's one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
My DS would pick Japanese because he's into Anime but agrees that Spanish is likely to be more useful in the future
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Here are some articles on the various foreign languages. The articles are talking about the JC level (H2) yet some of the pros are the same.
2017:
https://rafflespress.com/2017/09/13/please-mind-the-platform-gap-the-road-less-taken-h2-german/
https://rafflespress.com/2017/09/30/please-mind-the-platform-gap-the-road-less-taken-h1h2-japanese/
https://rafflespress.com/2017/09/09/lingua-franca-taking-h2-french-in-jc-please-mind-the-platform-gap/
2020:
https://rafflespress.com/2020/01/14/taking-h2-spanish-in-jc-es-pan-comido-please-mind-the-platform-gap/
2022:
https://rafflespress.com/2022/11/19/please-mind-the-platform-gap-taking-h2-french/
https://rafflespress.com/2022/11/19/please-mind-the-platform-gap-taking-h2-japanese/ -
Alternatively, these tables say focus on English and Chinese (MOELC was setup in 1978-1979 to offer Japanese, French, and German). Of course, additional languages are not only about economics/trade...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_largest_historical_GDP -
Lastly, the sales pitch for Malay, Bahasa Indonesia, or Arabic.
https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/mastering-a-third-tongue-for-a-regional-outlook
https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/students-of-arabic-discover-a-language-of-rich-roots-and-rewards -
I understand. If I may summarize, interest then distance to travel need to be considered carefully. Afterwards, it would be if the student is able to utilize that lang in the future.
In terms of distance, it seems we are closer to Bishan than Newton, so there’s one point there.
For interest, I will have a frank discussion with DD. I am more inclined to German but if she is not comfortable with it then so be it.
Thanks for the rafflesspress articles above, they are really helpful.
About Japanese, eventhough DD takes HCL, however as it is a must to learn all the three ways of writing, I believe it’s not in our options since it may take up too much time to learn it.
Thank you so much everyone for your detail and thorough replies. Really appreciate it.
This forum is really awesome 👏
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