I'm at a loss with my p5 son's Chinese

[tamarind]

ksme:

On the results - his results are not consistent. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Then again, his english results are also like that. I am hoping that over time (next 1.5 years to PSLE), he can achieve more consistent results. Unfortunately, results are not controllable by us. However, if we can help them build up the interest in the language, that will stay with them for life.

ksme,
I totally agree with you !

[tamarind]

Brenda10:

mistychances:

I guess it is tough for me coz DS is already in p5, as much as i want him to enjoy learning, I'd still want him to perform. And since he's got a good memory for everything else except chinese, I believe, with more effort, he should be able to overcome the problem.


I wish I had seen the importance of exposure to the lang when he was little. Now, we just have to work doubly hard & I'll continue to help him in anyway for now & for future

To achieve the result within a shorter timing should have reading, listening, speaking and watching CL show daily.

Brenda10,
You are right. Especially now that the oral component is going to more important, parents must focus on reading and speaking. If a child can speak well, he will also be able to write well.

Also, since kids can use dictionary in PSLE exams, there is no need to worry about practicing how to write many words. Parents should focus on teaching kids to recognize and understand as many Chinese words as possible.

[Brenda10]

Hi Tamarind


FYI, as of now the Electronic Dictionary is introduced in Paper 1 - CL compo. Only.
Paper 2 - (other components like MCQ and open and end question etc) is not allowed to use unless the exam format is revamp again in future.

[tamarind]

Brenda10:

Hi Tamarind


FYI, as of now the Electronic Dictionary is introduced in Paper 1 - CL compo. Only.
Paper 2 - (other components like MCQ and open and end question etc) is not allowed to use unless the exam format is revamp again in future.

Brenda,
Thanks for the information. Paper 2 includes comprehension right ?

[Brenda10]

tamarind:

Brenda10:

Hi Tamarind


FYI, as of now the Electronic Dictionary is introduced in Paper 1 - CL compo. Only.
Paper 2 - (other components like MCQ and open and end question etc) is not allowed to use unless the exam format is revamp again in future.

Brenda,
Thanks for the information. Paper 2 includes comprehension right ?

Hi Tamarind

Yes. Paper 2 includes comprehension.

[metz]

pixiedust:

Back to the forgetfulness issue, it is necessary to keep repeat writing the words. Read the book1 of 五读 when you get it. We are both P5 parents so I can understand the lack of time and volume of words that build up.

Hi pixiedust,

My son was in the exact predicament just a month ago. Repeated practices on writing the chinese characters just didn't work for him. As a result, he got very frustrated and I was left wondering how else I could make learning easier for him.

That's when I thought some fun elements in learning might help. And viola, it does!

Instead of getting him to just practise writing, we concoct silly stories about words. On example is 金. Here's how it goes : 八个王子两条腿. And to expand on his vocab, I explained to him that if he missed out the legs, the word will be 全 as in 安全, 全部.

Another way is to build new words upon words that he already knew or break the word down into simple forms. For instance, the word 戴. 土下有田，田下有共。因为可以戴在我身上，所以旁边有个斜勾点。I also took the opportunity to teach him that 異 is actually the traditional chinese version of 异.

The above methods work very well for my son. Hopefully they can give you some ideas to include fun in teaching your son to write Chinese characters.

加油, all the P5 mommies!

[pixiedust]

Hi chamonix,


Thank you for sharing ! You have a clever method ! Brilliant ! It is similar to using mnemonics for English spelling.

I will try in that direction...but mommy needs some creative juice to think up the interesting stories (no time to watch Kim Jun-won drama liao :lol:)


Hi ksme,

Thanks for sharing your story. Good to read that your son had a luck break. I hope such a good 天时地利人和 momment will arrive for my son soon. Keep us posted of your ds's progress!

[Brenda10]

chamonix:

My son was in the exact predicament just a month ago. Repeated practices on writing the chinese characters just didn't work for him. As a result, he got very frustrated and I was left wondering how else I could make learning easier for him.


That's when I thought some fun elements in learning might help. And viola, it does!

Instead of getting him to just practise writing, we concoct silly stories about words. On example is 金. Here's how it goes : 八个王子两条腿. And to expand on his vocab, I explained to him that if he missed out the legs, the word will be 全 as in 安全, 全部.

Another way is to build new words upon words that he already knew or break the word down into simple forms. For instance, the word 戴. 土下有田，田下有共。因为可以戴在我身上，所以旁边有个斜勾点。I also took the opportunity to teach him that 異 is actually the traditional chinese version of 异.

The above methods work very well for my son. Hopefully they can give you some ideas to include fun in teaching your son to write Chinese characters.

加油, all the P5 mommies!

Thank you for sharing and it's interesting as we can see all type of 法宝 that can help to improve in learning CL. That's wish everyone 有志者事竟成! :celebrate:

[tamarind]

Page 4 and page 16 of the first book of 四五快读 series explains how to teach kids to relate the shape of a word to its meaning. Actually that was the way my Chinese teachers taught me when I was in school. I will be surprised if Chinese teachers nowadays don't teach that way anymore.


The author also explains a much more efficient method of learning Chinese :

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w1nyHWTEh94/SzQNqxhw_hI/AAAAAAAABa8/l086PP3oR54/s1600/b11.JPG

Book 7 contains many groups of words with common parts, made easy for kids to learn. Actually this was how I learned Chinese words when I was a student

The first 30 pages of 四五快读 book 1 is really a must read for all parents whose kids are learning Chinese.

More information in my blog :
http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2009/12/teaching-chinese-at-home.html

If we use good resources like the 7 books of 四五快读 series, kids can learn a lot faster and easier. Without these books, kids will take a much longer time in order to know enough words to read long Chinese novels. Using the 四五快读 series, it is possible for kids to read novels by P1.

[metz]

pixiedust:

Hi chamonix,


Thank you for sharing ! You have a clever method ! Brilliant ! It is similar to using mnemonics for English spelling.

I will try in that direction...but mommy needs some creative juice to think up the interesting stories (no time to watch Kim Jun-won drama liao :lol:)

No worries, the drama will still be there waiting for you

Once you start the ball rolling, I'm sure your son will be making up all sorts of stories in no time.

Another way that I try to increase his chinese vocabulary is introducing similar characters to the new word we come across. For example, 痛, I will introduce 勇 蛹 涌 通 桶 诵 捅 along with their meanings and usage. Having a good dictionary by my side is very important. Also, as far as my rusty brain allows me, I'll teach him good phrases whenever they pop into my head. Eg. from 信, I also taught him the meaning of 言 and 言之过早. from 过，we have 过了这个村儿，没这个店儿. All these may be unrelated to his textbook, but they certainly add more fun to our learning.

I'll share more if I can think of interesting methods.