Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[tamarind]

Adding to what I wrote earlier, every parent has a different expectation. To some parents, \"good enough\" means to become the top student of the school. In that case, then it is not enough to read Enid Blyton books by K2, such kids must be reading E.B. White, C.S.Lewis books etc by 5 years old.


When I wrote that reading up to levels 5 to 7 of the Peter and Jane series are \"good enough\", I mean that kids will be able to get average results without having to struggle

For those who want their kids to get 95+ marks in English, then they have to work much harder.

[tamarind]

I think we are seriously off topic.


Coming back to the topic of Chinese enrichment, if parents want their kids to be the top scorer in Chinese from P3 onwards (it is not difficult to get 100 marks in P1 and P2), then attending enrichment classes is not enough. Your kids must be able to read long Chinese novels by K2. My colleague, who is from mainland China, has a daughter who is top scorer for Chinese in the whole cohort. She told me that her girl have been reading very thick books before entering P1 Of course, she never need to attend any Chinese enrichment classes. These top scorers in Chinese will most likely read 金庸 novels before 10 years old.

For those parents who have slightly lower expectations, like around 95 marks, then it is best to make sure that your kids can read long Chinese novels (more than 70000 words) very latest by P3. Otherwise you will start to panic in P4, and no enrichment classes can help you.

[jedamum]

tamarind:

I think we are seriously off topic.


Coming back to the topic of Chinese enrichment, if parents want their kids to be the top scorer in Chinese from P3 onwards (it is not difficult to get 100 marks in P1 and P2), then attending enrichment classes is not enough. Your kids must be able to read long Chinese novels by K2. My colleague, who is from mainland China, has a daughter who is top scorer for Chinese in the whole cohort. She told me that her girl have been reading very thick books before entering P1 Of course, she never need to attend any Chinese enrichment classes. These top scorers in Chinese will most likely read 金庸 novels before 10 years old.

For those parents who have slightly lower expectations, like around 95 marks, then it is best to make sure that your kids can read long Chinese novels (more than 70000 words) very latest by P3. Otherwise you will start to panic in P4, and no enrichment classes can help you.

Hi Tamarind,
I agree with you.
Despite starting chinese enrichment young, my ds1 never took a liking to reading (both english and chinese) books and hence not able to advance in these two areas. Can feel that stress in P3 with the spike in chinese standard. His chinese language standard is still below his level although I am glad that he still manage to keep afloat in his MT class which is supposedly streamed every year based on school results. The higher standards of his peers at least give influence him to try his best although he still will not do stuff that he does not enjoy (eg reading). I had recently bought some chinese story books (clearly a notch lower to his current standard) and will encourage him to read during the holidays. We had bought Doreamon cartoon (sadly, without subtitles!). My ds2 (in k1) is enjoying it and is less resistant to speak in mandarin as compared to ds1. he is also in berries. can you refresh my memory what are the good books that you will recommend for this level? I go to the library 3x a week and will try to borrow at least 1 chinese story books for my preschooler.
THanks.

[tamarind]

Hi jedamum,

You can find my list of good Chinese story books here :

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-raise-bilingual-child.html

Scroll down to see the long list of books for different age groups. All the books are available in the National Library.

I have also included 3 audio books which I think are very good. I believe that one of the ways to encourage a child to speak mandarin, is to let him listen to more Mandarin. These audio books are very well produced, and the story teller speaks beautifully.

I am not sure whether the audio books are available in the library, I bought them directly from http://www.dangdang.com. Parents who are interested can also try http://www.65daigou.com.

I remember that when my kids were in Berries K1 class, the teacher already advised me to let them read more Chinese story books at home. So even parents still have to do a lot of work at home even when they send their kids to enrichment classes

[yap_susan]

Hi

Currently my K2 son is in berries (Tampines). I am thinking of switching him to molin when he reaches p1. Not sure if there is a difference in standard and emphasis. Can anyone please enlighten me? distance is a concern. I am staying in Tampines.

[yap_susan]

Hi,

Any idea is there Chinese holiday programs conducted by molin or hua language?

[danny22]

sign, hcl education centre is the worst education centre we attented so far… my daughter’s grade deprove from B to C, i think it is becoz their teachers are keep changing, and my daughter just cnt have a steady learning environment. also, they suck money like crazy. now my daughter transfer to ai de bo le, i think they are quite gd, effective and fair price. just wana make a suggestion to all parents that really should think twice if you wanna attend HCL…

[jo.010813ong]

Hi tamarind,


Could you kindly PM your charges? My gal is in P1. I realised she doesn’t know some of the Math concept. We are staying around Telok Blangah area.

Thanks, Jo

[try]

Just wondering if school teachers can help? Children nowadays are spending so much time in school. Wouldn’t having tuition deprive them of any play or family time?

[Daddy D]

I asked and my kid’s PCF teacher replied that they will not be teaching hanyu pinyin in K2.

The teacher replied that it is directive set by PCF… cos’ Pri Sch "complained" about some kids knowing too much hanyu pinyin compared to others.
Even if the PCF is not teaching, other schs/enrichment classes will teach… end up those who didn’t learn hanyu pinyin earlier will fall behind?