Secondary School Third Languages

[jtoh]

verykiasu2010:

mummyjoyce:

It is always great and exciting for the parents and students in P6 (getting ready for Sec1) to discuss 3rd lang. However from experience, the drop out rate after the 1st 6 mth are extremely high.

Most of the reasons are due to travelling time to the lang center, too much projects in school, extra new subjects to cope, etc etc.
Please prepare for this and many of the studetns actually hate going to 3rd lang class and eventually quit in Sec3 with excuses to concentrate on O level.

Since it is optional, that means can choose not to opt in for the the 3rd lang at all ?

Yes. It's up to your child, although a lot of them opt for it because it sounds so fun and exciting. Some of course opt for it for the wrong reasons - because everyone else is doing it and if they don't do it they'll be seen to be not in the top of their cohort. (Don't laugh. I know a parent who insisted that her child take 3rd lang because of this. And the mother made fun of students who didn't take 3rd lang).

But a lot of them drop the subject after one or two terms.

[Sun_2010]

Anyone who has taken Chinese as 3rd language? i think its called the CPS- Chinese (Special Programme)?

:?:
Needed some advice:

Is it taught in school?
How difficult is it? On estimation is it possible to pick up for a total begginer?

DD did take Mandarin in her Kindergarten and used to pick up quite well but that was then. Now all she remembers is what to say in Chinese for - \"Teacher can i go to toilet\" :stupid:

Would it be a wise thing to ask her to choose this one? I feel even for a year or two if she manages to put in the effort she can pick up good conversational skills...And it will be a life skill .

[verykiasu2010]

jtoh:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"mummyjoyce\"]It is always great and exciting for the parents and students in P6 (getting ready for Sec1) to discuss 3rd lang. However from experience, the drop out rate after the 1st 6 mth are extremely high.

Most of the reasons are due to travelling time to the lang center, too much projects in school, extra new subjects to cope, etc etc.
Please prepare for this and many of the studetns actually hate going to 3rd lang class and eventually quit in Sec3 with excuses to concentrate on O level.

Since it is optional, that means can choose not to opt in for the the 3rd lang at all ?

Yes. It's up to your child, although a lot of them opt for it because it sounds so fun and exciting. Some of course opt for it for the wrong reasons - because everyone else is doing it and if they don't do it they'll be seen to be not in the top of their cohort. (Don't laugh. I know a parent who insisted that her child take 3rd lang because of this. And the mother made fun of students who didn't take 3rd lang).

But a lot of them drop the subject after one or two terms.[/quote]Thank you for the enlightenment

But I guess it will be useful if the child eventually get into the immersion program in those countries where the language is widely spoken

As it is now, my DS has already fixed on two external coachings outside of school (even though the school does offer the 2 CCAs)

[daisyt]

jtoh:

How many of your children are still taking 3rd language at the end of Year 1? I know a lot of kids have dropped it already.

My dd took french till end of year 1 and she got A2 for it. Unfortunately, due to her lost of interest, long travel time, whatever reasons you can think of lah .... she quitted 1st term of year 2. Its very heart ache for us because she was doing fine. But what to do??

[jtoh]

daisyt:

jtoh:

How many of your children are still taking 3rd language at the end of Year 1? I know a lot of kids have dropped it already.

My dd took french till end of year 1 and she got A2 for it. Unfortunately, due to her lost of interest, long travel time, whatever reasons you can think of lah .... she quitted 1st term of year 2. Its very heart ache for us because she was doing fine. But what to do??

What a pity. She was doing so well. But no point continuing on if she's lost interest.

[jtoh]

verykiasu2010:

jtoh:

[quote=\"verykiasu2010\"]
Since it is optional, that means can choose not to opt in for the the 3rd lang at all ?

Yes. It's up to your child, although a lot of them opt for it because it sounds so fun and exciting. Some of course opt for it for the wrong reasons - because everyone else is doing it and if they don't do it they'll be seen to be not in the top of their cohort. (Don't laugh. I know a parent who insisted that her child take 3rd lang because of this. And the mother made fun of students who didn't take 3rd lang).

But a lot of them drop the subject after one or two terms.

Thank you for the enlightenment

But I guess it will be useful if the child eventually get into the immersion program in those countries where the language is widely spoken

As it is now, my DS has already fixed on two external coachings outside of school (even though the school does offer the 2 CCAs)[/quote]If I'm not mistaken, immersion is only for the top performers. Sounds like your son already knows what he's going to focus on in sec school. Hopefully he can get into the CCA of his choice. CCA selection can be a headache in sec school.

[verykiasu2010]

jtoh:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]
Yes. It's up to your child, although a lot of them opt for it because it sounds so fun and exciting. Some of course opt for it for the wrong reasons - because everyone else is doing it and if they don't do it they'll be seen to be not in the top of their cohort. (Don't laugh. I know a parent who insisted that her child take 3rd lang because of this. And the mother made fun of students who didn't take 3rd lang).

But a lot of them drop the subject after one or two terms.

Thank you for the enlightenment

But I guess it will be useful if the child eventually get into the immersion program in those countries where the language is widely spoken

As it is now, my DS has already fixed on two external coachings outside of school (even though the school does offer the 2 CCAs)

If I'm not mistaken, immersion is only for the top performers. Sounds like your son already knows what he's going to focus on in sec school. Hopefully he can get into the CCA of his choice. CCA selection can be a headache in sec school.[/quote]One of the CCA he is keen is hot. We got the back up outside school if he does not get it

The other CCA he is keen on - we know the school is weak in it, so he got his coach from outside confirmed liao

[CMF]

jtoh:

How many of your children are still taking 3rd language at the end of Year 1? I know a lot of kids have dropped it already.

My DD takes Malay as her 3rd language. She will be continuing with it in Sec 4. She enjoys learning the language and finds that she's able to make use of it on a practical basis, eg. when ordering food at Malay stalls etc.

I feel that one of the reasons that DD is able to sustain the interest is cos there is the ability to practise and use the language on a practical basis. Also, this 3rd language is taught in her school, which helps cut down the traveling time to MOE Language Centre (MOELC) in Bishan.

There is a high dropout rate amongst her friends who take the other third languages as compared to those who take Malay.

[jtoh]

Sun_2010:

Anyone who has taken Chinese as 3rd language? i think its called the CPS- Chinese (Special Programme)?

:?:
Needed some advice:

Is it taught in school?
How difficult is it? On estimation is it possible to pick up for a total begginer?

DD did take Mandarin in her Kindergarten and used to pick up quite well but that was then. Now all she remembers is what to say in Chinese for - \"Teacher can i go to toilet\" :stupid:

Would it be a wise thing to ask her to choose this one? I feel even for a year or two if she manages to put in the effort she can pick up good conversational skills...And it will be a life skill .

CSP is taught in some schools. Those that don't offer it have to take it at the MOE centres.

I think it's a good idea to take up CSP. Mandarin is a useful language to know in Asia. Furthermore, if your child qualifies for JC, he can get 2 bonus points in his application for JC. Plus he can use his grade for CSP in lieu of a Humanities subject.

[verykiasu2010]

the eventual location of the MOE Language Centre will be at Pek Hay Road, wef July 2011