Marymount Convent

[Tinkerbelle]

michyms:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi cantbearit2,
DD2 also has the same problem with Chinese oral. She's doing 深广 & She has no problems answering questions within the textbook but her oral skills needs more improvement. For SA1 Chinese oral, she got a picture of a cinema and someone eating popcorn. She did not know what 'cinema' and 'popcorn' are called in Chinese. :shock: Now, we try to converse in Chinese with her more.

No worries, can finish revision in time....just need to stagger the revision out....do a little each day and learn a few spelling words each day.
Jia you!! :rahrah:

Tinkerbelle, I only just recently found out what pop corn in Chinese is! So guess can't blame the little ones for not knowing... these days the chinese standards seem so much higher than the past, doesn't it seem so?

Hi michyms,
Yes, I totally agree.....nowadays, the standard for Chinese is getting higher. Back in our days, we used to be able to score well for Chinese if we memorise our work well but now, the kids have to be well-rounded, with many components to focus on.

With MOE's new initiative to increase the weightage the Oral component in Chinese assessment, it's seems harder to score well in Chinese these days for the more English-speaking kids. So it's important to work on their Chinese oral from young and lay the right foundation.

[michyms]

Tinkerbelle, what do you think we can do to help our kids with oral? I have been making dd read CHinese books everyday (by rewarding her with iPad games)... but maybe i need to get her to watch chinese dramas too! That's how I picked up Chinese when I was young

[gorilla]

michyms, I’ve been getting my girl to watch chinese drama on tv! I know she’s just reading the subtitles but i think it’s working.


She’s more willing to speak to me in mandarin and I’ve also switched to mandarin whenever possible. I also buy chinese dvds like the Tao Shu series for her.

My girl’s chinese is quite bad but it’s beginning to show some progress.

[michyms]

gorilla, looks like I need to up dd's TV time :rotflmao: I never thought I'd ever say that. But if its going to help, then so be it. What is the Tao Shu series? Any good?

[gorilla]

hahaha i know what you mean! But for the sake of her chinese, more tv pls! Both my girls love the Tao Shu series. I bought both the English & Chinese set.


http://www.learnchinesebooks.com/taoshu/taoshu-and-friends-dvd

It features a mix of animation and “live-action” sequences that introduces kids to various aspects of Chinese tradition and culture. A great introduction to all things Chinese, from culture, calligraphy to Chinese chess, viewers will not only get to enjoy Taoshu’s humor and antics, but will actually get to see ‘real’ kids engaging in these practices today.

Complete set includes:

Taoshu and Friends Vol. 1: Traditional Festival 传统节日(新春快乐, 欢庆中秋节,欢庆端午节)

Learn all about the most important traditional festivals celebrated by the Chinese. Join Taoshu and Lingling as they feast on traditional goodies and explore meaningful New Year customs such as paper-cutting and eating reunion dinner. Find out why we eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival and dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival!

Taoshu and Friends Vol. 2: Traditional Arts and Performances 传统艺术篇 (百家姓／文学的乐趣／龙风书法,文房四宝／书法／唐诗华乐／华族舞蹈／中国水墨画)

Taoshu and Lingling learn all about traditional Chinese music and instruments! Join them on this dramatic journey as they explore the exciting world of Chinese performing arts. Taoshu also learns the importance of knowing the meaning of his name and finds out about the origins of the Chinese script and calligraphy.

Taoshu and Friends Vol. 3: Traditional Customs and Practices 传统民俗篇 (十二生肖／昆虫世界／中国结米和面食／捏面人／株算送礼习俗／传统礼品／华人做寿)

Find out the significance of the 12 Zodiac animals in Chinese culture and how the ancient way of counting using the abacus is still an efficient and wonderful way of making calculations. Taoshu also learns certain gift-giving customs and what gifts are considered auspicious or unlucky.

Taoshu and Friends Vol. 4: Chinese Cultural Gems 中华国粹篇 (京剧／画面谱／清明节/武术精神／中药和中医/武术精神／中药和中医)

Find out all about these uniquely Chinese cultural gems such as martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Chess and even the invention of TOFU! Taoshu also learns about the Chinese “All Souls Day” or Qing Ming Festival, and why it’s important for the Chinese people to visit their ancestors during this time.

Taoshu and Friends Vol. 5: Chinese Food and Culture 传统饮食篇 (筷子／中华煮食法／米食)

Come delve into a mouth-watering episode filled with Chinese cuisine and delicious food! Lingling also learns the proper way to hold the chopsticks and learns why it’s an essential tool in every Chinese household.

[michyms]

Thank you Gorilla! I found them available at the library, so I have reserved two titles, will borrow those and see if the kids like it before buying Does your girl attend any Chinese enrichment classes as well?

[phoenix]

Hi, does anyone know when Marymount Convent sends us the information regarding Orientation Day?

[gorilla]

No worries michyms. Yes a good idea! I’ve borrowed the books from the library

but long wait list so might just get it for my girl.

Nope, she doesn’t attend any chinese enrichment class but I’ve recently send her for this Chinese P1 Prep, a 1 to 1 session. Need to desperately bring her level up to speed.

[gorilla]

Hi phoenix, I’ve only received the blue carbon copy form and that’s about it. Rgds.

[phoenix]

gorilla:

Hi phoenix, I've only received the blue carbon copy form and that's about it. Rgds.

Thanks Gorilla