Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[kssp]

Hi parents, could you advise the benefit (if any) of taking higher Chinese if child goes into ACSI IB track at year 1?

[autolycus]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2089366\" time=\"1669002500\" user_id=\"35251:

Can share,
what are some of the challenge(s),
frequently or commonly encountered by JAE (O-level) students inside this IB Curriculum track, apart from having to write lots of essays ?

Mostly along the lines of verbal and written presentation of facts, ideas, and arguments. Being careful with language (e.g. using the right vocabulary for each discipline, correct use of units and values in sciences, articulating a 'clean and clear' argument in the humanities) is one key area. Being able to synthesise across disciplines is a a minor but important area too. Generally these are the two things that O-level students find difficult in the IB, and if not tackled early, will cause problems down the road. The good news is that the modern O-level course does address some of these things, more so than in my time.

[autolycus]

kssp\" post_id=\"2090042\" time=\"1669309652\" user_id=\"195753:

Hi parents, could you advise the benefit (if any) of taking higher Chinese if child goes into ACSI IB track at year 1?

If your child passes HC, he will meet the MOE language requirements and no longer have to do CL after Y4. However, the IB has a second language requirement. But this is actually an advantage, as your child can now take a third language at basic level (something almost like tourist-level foreign language, useful and relatively easy) instead.

[Zeal mummy]

autolycus\" post_id=\"2090240\" time=\"1669366643\" user_id=\"16143:

If your child passes HC, he will meet the MOE language requirements and no longer have to do CL after Y4. However, the IB has a second language requirement. But this is actually an advantage, as your child can now take a third language at basic level (something almost like tourist-level foreign language, useful and relatively easy) instead.

Could the child do Chinese-B in Y1-4, Chinese in Y5-6? Or do Chinese in Y1-4 and higher Chinese in Y5-6 to fulfill the 3rd language requirements?

[autolycus]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2090249\" time=\"1669367649\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2090249 time=1669367649 user_id=58173]
Could the child do Chinese-B in Y1-4, Chinese in Y5-6? Or do Chinese in Y1-4 and higher Chinese in Y5-6 to fulfill the 3rd language requirements?[/quote]

To clarify, there are two language requirements to consider.

1. MOE language requirement. This is met by a) doing mother tongue (MT) at Higher level up to Y4 (and passing), or b) doing it at some lower level all the way through Y6 (and passing).

2. IB language requirement. The IB requires all students to do a second language as part of the IB Diploma.

Thus, most IB students here fulfil their MOE language requirement by doing the IB version of their mother tongue as the IB second language. However, even if the MOE language requirement has been met by 1a) above (did HMT), the IB still requires students to do a second language in Y5/6. The thing is that since you met the MT requirement already for MOE, you can now choose a completely different language to do in Y5/6. This would be the child's 'third language' in the sense that they have English, MT, and (if desired) a 'second second language' or 'third language'.

Based on these facts, yes, the child can do Chinese-B in Y1-4 and Chinese in Y5-6, and also Chinese in Y1-4 and even more Chinese in Y5-6. But these fulfil 2nd language requirements. There is no 3rd language requirement.

[Estéema]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2090249\" time=\"1669367649\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2090249 time=1669367649 user_id=58173]
Could the child do Chinese-B in Y1-4, Chinese in Y5-6? Or do Chinese in Y1-4 and higher Chinese in Y5-6 to fulfill the 3rd language requirements?[/quote]

Chinese Syllabus B is meant for qualifying part of IB Diploma requirements. Not available during Yr1-4 esp when the ACSI doing only IP structured towards IB, hence like all other Sec sch students hv to do either CL or HCL to finish off O level. If HCL is completed successfully, will be exempted fr doing chinese language fr Yr5 or JC. Like autocylus pointed out, for the student can chose to do Syllabus B despite holding a higher level cert in HCL. This is one ‘loophole’ not as yet plugged, IMO. 😉

[kssp]

kssp\" post_id=\"2090042\" time=\"1669309652\" user_id=\"195753:

Hi parents, could you advise the benefit (if any) of taking higher Chinese if child goes into ACSI IB track at year 1?

Thank you Parents for responding to my query!
And Autolycus - thanks for your perspective! My child was keen to take HCL from Yr 1 and I was the one who was skeptical as we do not speak mandarin at home. Although his PSLE scores for CL & HCL were fantastic, they were attained with a lot of effort.
Now i do think that it may be a good idea to go through 4 years of HCL and go for another language \"ab initio\" from Yr 5.

[Zeal mummy]

Estéema\" post_id=\"2090296\" time=\"1669377250\" user_id=\"66413:

Chinese Syllabus B is meant for qualifying part of IB Diploma requirements. Not available during Yr1-4 esp when the ACSI doing only IP structured towards IB, hence like all other Sec sch students hv to do either CL or HCL to finish off O level. If HCL is completed successfully, will be exempted fr doing chinese language fr Yr5 or JC. Like autocylus pointed out, for the student can chose to do Syllabus B despite holding a higher level cert in HCL. This is one ‘loophole’ not as yet plugged, IMO. 😉

Thank you Esteema and Autolycus for sharing information!

[Ta6]

Hello parents, is anyone familiar with the ACE class offered to Sec 3 express students? Is the coming year the first time it is being offered at Acsi?

[Estéema]

kssp\" post_id=\"2090385\" time=\"1669433367\" user_id=\"195753:

Thank you Parents for responding to my query!
And Autolycus - thanks for your perspective! My child was keen to take HCL from Yr 1 and I was the one who was skeptical as we do not speak mandarin at home. Although his PSLE scores for CL & HCL were fantastic, they were attained with a lot of effort.
Now i do think that it may be a good idea to go through 4 years of HCL and go for another language \"ab initio\" from Yr 5.

I was worried abt hoping fr P6 CL to Secondary HCL. Eventually, I need et worry tho every year the sch papers seems to be tough. The scaffolding available is that if they fail to meet the HCL during exams, then continue with CL in Yr5/6. However, we were pleasantly surprised our DS was awarded an A+ but that reflected his continual hard work at the subj & it was a bonus not to hv to think abt CL/HCL anymore. The whole idea is to equip them sufficiently to engage native Chinese speakers in business. Hopefully, they get to use it soon enuf!