Learning Chinese (Primary/Preschool)

[rosemummy]

chamonix:

rosemummy:

You are learning Japanese too? What a coincidence, me too! I tried taking courses twice; once after A levels and a second time when I was in the workforce. Sad to say, I wasn't motivated enough to venture beyond the elementary stage.

Most of the kids I know are either in primary or college. But I will surely ask around and see if I can dig out any info you need.

Not really. Just that I had an office in Tokyo and had spent a bit of time there. Needed some knowledge to get by. The trouble is everyone assume that I'm Japanese and it can be embarrassing when they find that I can't quite speak it.

And thanks in advance for your offer.

[Chenonceau]

Here is an update on Little Boy’s memorization marathon. We have reached tipping point and are moving on to Phase 2. He now has enough word recognition to read stories that are age appropriate for pleasurewithout getting frustrated. So, we have stopped memorizing altogether in favour of copious reading. I have updated the 1st post with the weblink describing Phase 2 more clearly.

[JRLam]

Chenonceau:

Here is an update on Little Boy's memorization marathon. We have reached tipping point and are moving on to Phase 2. He now has enough word recognition to read stories that are age appropriate for pleasurewithout getting frustrated. So, we have stopped memorizing altogether in favour of copious reading. I have updated the 1st post with the weblink describing Phase 2 more clearly.

I totally admired both you and your son's perseverance! It is absolutely no mean feat to have spent the last month memorizing Chinese essays, 24000 words!

We lacked the consistency, determination and patience. Both me and my son. He just detested it, dragged himself to do it, took his own sweet time to do it etc, even though we started on the footing and agreement that this tedious exercise, though not enjoyable, will help him in the end (or shorten his misery of not able to master CL). However, the overloading of hw, plus whatever time left still need to be allocated to other subjects, his reluctance, and my inconsistency to adhere to it .. led to giving it up after 2 sessions?

With 2 weeks to go for SA1, we have to fall back on whatever he can learn from past yr exam papers + assessments .. sign ..

Well, I still harbour the thought that I will make sure he reads more CL books during June hols .. wish me luck!

[QuiteKSMum]

Hi JRLam,


All the best! Q.sure you & your son will make it. I have been thru what you're going thru with my son last yr & glad to be able to say we've come out stronger & better (of course still far fm A* std ). At least the interest in CL lang is there... :celebrate:

[Chenonceau]

QuiteKSMum:

Hi JRLam,


All the best! Q.sure you & your son will make it. I have been thru what you're going thru with my son last yr & glad to be able to say we've come out stronger & better (of course still far fm A* std ). At least the interest in CL lang is there... :celebrate:

QuiteKSMom, did you go memorization route too?

[QuiteKSMum]

A combination of methods, memorization included ( but was also \"torturous\" for son). We memorized some gd compo phrases, cheng yu, oral phrases (with variety of topics) & some typical ans to OE Compre qns wh ask for views/take on certain person/scenarios...


We had to do this esp during his P6 yr last yr as the lang doesn't come naturally to him & due to time constraints issues. We supplemented \"aggressively\" with more reading after PSLE (with all the time in the world after mid Oct)... Glad to say althou he's doing HCL now ( he didn't do last yr), he is enjoying the lessons & coping well, IMO. :celebrate:

[Chenonceau]

QuiteKSMum:

A combination of methods, memorization included ( but was also \"torturous\" for son). We memorized some gd compo phrases, cheng yu, oral phrases (with variety of topics) & some typical ans to OE Compre qns wh ask for views/take on certain person/scenarios...


We had to do this esp during his P6 yr last yr as the lang doesn't come naturally to him & due to time constraints issues. We supplemented \"aggressively\" with more reading after PSLE (with all the time in the world after mid Oct)... Glad to say althou he's doing HCL now ( he didn't do last yr), he is enjoying the lessons & coping well, IMO. :celebrate:

Wow! I really appreciate your sharing. Very encouraging!! And so full of specific coping strategies. If your son is doing HCL now without doing HCL last year, his grades for Chinese must be very good. Otherwise, he wouldn't be allowed to do HCL in secondary school right?

[QuiteKSMum]

Glad to share... He did well enough to be offered HCL. But his sec sch actually actively encourages students to take up HCL. Even if you are not offered the HCL option, you can still \"appeal\" to take, approval is almost automatic...So for his sch, a govt sch, there are actually more pupils taking HCL than CL...

[pixiedust]

QuiteKSMum, thanks for your sharing ! It is so encouraging ! You and your boy must have worked very hard ! I freel very 感动 (touched) reading your success story.


JRLam,
We are in same boat. I want to push harder but I don't want to push too hard. Also, sometimes I run out of steam. Yes, 2 weeks to SA1 now. Just do our best with whatever time left.

[QuiteKSMum]

Hey pixie dust, :celebrate: :celebrate: Jia You!