Secondary School Chinese

[ry_mummy]

Hi Chenlaoshi,

In that case, then what is the benefit of sticking to pu-hua instead of dropping to CLB since it will not affect entering JC?
Coz my son was saying some of his friends who were weak in Chinese were told to drop to CLB. In that case, isn’t that better for them? Less stress and still does not affect their chances to enter JC?
Please pardon my ignorance. Thank you.

[PlayfulFairy]

Hi all,


May I know what is the scope of work to revise for Chinese O Level Paper 2?




For 综合填空, are the words from Sec 1 to Sec4 tested ? Asked my child but she is not sure 🤔

Thanks!

[chenlaoshi]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2110233\" time=\"1685860148\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2110233 time=1685860148 user_id=53606]
Thanks, chenlaoshi! When u are free (no hurry as I believe ure v busy with O level exam preps + June PSLE oral crash course for the kids right now), could u pls let me know the pros & cons of sticking with CL versus dropping to CLB in secondary school? (both are available in-house for this kid’s school.)

What are the differences in examinable components/format between the two?[/quote]

Yeah, zac's mum, you are right. On top of the usual lessons, I am occupied with additional sessions on weekdays morning too - mainly focusing on 1-1 practices for O Level CL, HCL and PSLE oral - more drained mentally than physically as of now .

These are the examinable components for CLB:
[quote]Paper 1: 20 marks (20%)
- choose between email writing or picture compo

All written input are via computer - which is not exactly \"easy\". Reading (pronunciation) and word recognition skills are key. For example:
- want to type 身 (\"shen\" not \"sheng\") - if typed wrongly, won't be able to find the correct character
- want to type 戴 (put on) but 带 袋 呆 代 待 all appear as options to choose from, need to recognize to choose correct character


Paper 2: 30 marks (30%)
- all mcq
- language usage + 2 mcq compre
Word recognition + understanding of the meaning are key.


Paper 3: 50 marks (50%)
- Oral 30 marks (passage reading 10, conversation 20)
- LC 20 marks[/quote]In short, the biggest advantage is no need to worry about the 写 part of language learning, just need to focus on 听说读（认）. Those who can speak and/or can read and understand passage context will cope well with CLB. Those whose range of vocab is very limited + seldom speak the language will still struggle despite CLB being seemingly easier than CL.

[chenlaoshi]

ry_mummy\" post_id=\"2110363\" time=\"1686047409\" user_id=\"33677:

Hi Chenlaoshi,
In that case, then what is the benefit of sticking to pu-hua instead of dropping to CLB since it will not affect entering JC?
Coz my son was saying some of his friends who were weak in Chinese were told to drop to CLB. In that case, isn't that better for them? Less stress and still does not affect their chances to enter JC?
Please pardon my ignorance. Thank you.

Hi ry_mummy,

As an educator coaching this subject, I am bias

1. It is not that difficult to at least obtain a satisfactory result (e.g. B4 requires \"only\" 60%).

2. Dropping to CLB from CL doesn't necessary means it's easier or one will do better (reasons can be found in https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8835&start=1140#p2110583) . Mother Tongue B's grading are Distinction, Pass and Ungraded. There's a chance the same student may score C5 or C6 in CL and only score Pass in CLB. If that's the case, I would value the former situation as a \"better result\".

3. In these last few years of studying Chinese language as a subject in academic life, would it be beneficial long term to just \"give up\" or opt for the easier/easiest option instead of maximizing the remaining years to hone one's knowledge/skill on our Mother Tongue/a language that can be used throughout one's life? ---> this point is in relation to those who aren't that weak until they need to drop to CLB, yet are contemplating to do so for the convenience/\"advantage\" sake.

My stand is:
- if it's advised by the school teacher, then go ahead and drop but do find out from the teacher about how the child can make the best out of the decision (i.e. obtain as good a result as possible in CLB)
- if it's not interested/weak foundation wise in the language, speak to the school teacher to enquire if the child's weakness can be offset by the drop to CLB.

[chenlaoshi]

PlayfulFairy\" post_id=\"2110447\" time=\"1686194770\" user_id=\"2120:

Hi all,

May I know what is the scope of work to revise for Chinese O Level Paper 2?




For 综合填空, are the words from Sec 1 to Sec4 tested ? Asked my child but she is not sure 🤔

Thanks!

Hi PlayfulFairy,

For weightage/non-weightage assessments in school (esp. for lower Sec level), words & phrases covered in syllabus may be enough (tested scope will normally be informed).

For O Level, it is not. You can see from 10 year series as well as these previously shared examples from school's upper Sec cloze passages how the phrases tested are beyond syllabus coverage:

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8835&start=1070#p2100508
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8835&start=1130#p2109198

[zac's mum]

Thank u v much, chenlaoshi. I saw some reddit commenters saying that CLB is like Primary 4-5 level kind of Chinese, but based on the format/weightage u have mentioned (and the CLB textbooks I have seen), it doesnt seem that much easier/forgiving on the child’s skill level than the equivalent secondary CL level. They still need to know the same secondary level vocab & current affairs (for Oral). Still need to have that certain level of competency otherwise cannot pass. Unless they are the extremely heng kind of person who can tikam MCQ and get >50% correct I guess.

[chenlaoshi]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2110595\" time=\"1686362874\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2110595 time=1686362874 user_id=53606]
Thank u v much, chenlaoshi. I saw some reddit commenters saying that CLB is like Primary 4-5 level kind of Chinese, but based on the format/weightage u have mentioned (and the CLB textbooks I have seen), it doesnt seem that much easier/forgiving on the child’s skill level than the equivalent secondary CL level. They still need to know the same secondary level vocab & current affairs (for Oral). Still need to have that certain level of competency otherwise cannot pass. Unless they are the extremely heng kind of person who can tikam MCQ and get >50% correct I guess.[/quote]

It's worth remembering that there's only 1 x 2 hr lessons per week too, for schools that do not offer CLB.

Overall, the words/phrases that appear passages are around upper Pri's standard but some of the phrases are still beyond Pri level. Also, as you mentioned the context of the passages include social topics too - not restricted to narrative type only in Pri level.

Here are some O Level Chinese B specimen papers from SEAB:
https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2024syllabus/1153_y24_sp_1.pdf
https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2024syllabus/1153_y24_sp_2.pdf
https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2024syllabus/1153_y24_oe_sp_3.pdf

[phtthp]

ry_mummy\" post_id=\"2110363\" time=\"1686047409\" user_id=\"33677:

Hi Chenlaoshi,

In that case,
then what is the benefit of sticking to pu-hua instead of dropping to CLB since it will not affect entering JC?

Coz my son was saying some of his friends who were weak in Chinese were told to drop to CLB. In that case, isn't that better for them?
Less stress and still does not affect their chances to enter JC?

Please pardon my ignorance. Thank you.

You are asking about what's the
benefit (advantage) of pu-hua, over CLB ?

If your Sec 4 son (aged 16) were to take CLB
instead of take pu-hua (O-level),
assuming that he passes CLB and let's say he is targeting for Junior College entry path via L1R5 (nett),

not sure if
MOE will allow the CLB (O-level) score to be factored in, as part of his L1R5 or not, for admission into JCs.
Why ?

Because

CLB (O-level) is simple,
like Lower Primary (3 to 4)
primary schools' basic, fundamental, elementary Chinese standard. You may refer to sample O-level CLB past year papers, to take a look.


Perhaps,
your son can approach MOE or clarify with his Secondary school's Chinese HOD, directly. His Chinese Head of Department, will know.

FYI

If your son's Secondary school does not offer CLB,
then,

he will have to travel to the next, nearest / closest Secondary school, that offer CLB. Often, this will be conducted \"After school dismissed\", in the afternoon.
Because

not all Secondary schools in Singapore, offer CLB.

If need to travel to another Secondary school for CLB lessons, find out in Total,

how many CLB lessons are being conducted per week, from Monday to Friday. Is it more than one CLB lesson conducted, per week ?

[Reenie]

Hi Chen Laoshi! 您好！


May I know if there’s any books you can recommend for 议论文？or resources? Like a compilation of good stories/example 论据。 谢谢你！

[chenlaoshi]

Reenie\" post_id=\"2110761\" time=\"1686646861\" user_id=\"7078:

Hi Chen Laoshi! 您好！

May I know if there’s any books you can recommend for 议论文？or resources? Like a compilation of good stories/example 论据。 谢谢你！

Hi Reenie,

You may want to check out the book recommended in https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8835&p=2078600&hilit=oral#p2078600 that covers major themes/topics, suitable for gathering knowledge for oral and paper 1 components.

As for compilation of 论据, you can take a look at https://yuyi.com.sg/products/9787555510208?variant=40123305459861.