Secondary School Third Languages

[Snow Crystal]

icecubism:

I have heard that it is really stressful to take up a Third Language and very difficult as you have to take O' levels and A' levels exams for it too, if you take up a Third Language.
My preference for a Third Language would be French, though is learning it very tough?
I am trying to contemplate my decision as i would not like to join the class then drop out due to pressure and give up on it.
Once i make my decision, i would like to persevere and not give up easily, so i would be very grateful to your advice! Thank you.

Taking up third language if you are referring to French/Jap/German is tough. The syllabus is not washed down and it is commitment. BUT if you qualify, why deny yourself a chance to see what is it all about. You may discover a flair for it. Some even love it and take it all the way to O or A levels. If you future sec school offers Regional Studies Program (Malay Special Program)you may also consider this.

[pslemum]

My ds was allocated MSP in the beginning but then we decided to switch to Jap as he has Malay lessons in school… perhaps picking up Malay would be easier as it is still taught in ‘abc’.

[verykiasu2010]

my DS did quite ok for his 3rd lang, but mommy wants him to drop, to focus more on the core subjects…sigh !

[Neko]

dasalo:

pslemum:

My ds is taking Japanese at Bishan moelc - depite encouragement from us, I do not think he is going to make it , anyone out there with ideas to help them cope? Such a pity to give up - but no point to continue if he has no interest.....

Does he likes Japanese Manga or Anime? I know this ain't sounding good to his academic studies but it really helps. My dd2's Japanese is self taught by reading n watching the above. (Not superb, but able to understand)

Knowing and liking the culture is aslo very important to the language. Try starting with food and I believe most like Japanese food. There is this place in Robertson Quay named \"Bon Gout\", a Japanese comic/bookstore serves very reasonable priced authentic home cook Japanese food. You can read all you want the Japanese books there (of course you have to order their food).
It recently changed new boss and I wondered if it still taste as good.

Wonder if this will help your ds?

My P5 dd self taught katakana thru watching anime and erm, reading food wrappers (weird?). she's interested in taking Jap as 3rd lang in sec sch and is hoping to be offered the chance to do so (must be top 10% in psle?). keeping fingers crossed ...

[KuroYuri]

I am entering sec 1 next year and am considering taking up German. However, my Chinese is not all that great either and with more subjects, i’m afraid it may be more difficult to cope. Any advice?

[Choco05]

KuroYuri:

I am entering sec 1 next year and am considering taking up German. However, my Chinese is not all that great either and with more subjects, i'm afraid it may be more difficult to cope. Any advice?

Hi i'm sec 1 this year just survived a year of 3rd Lang[Jap]. I guess it depends on your interest in the language itself:) Unless you are taking Japanese i don't think Chinese actually matters much in 3rd Lang. If you really want to give it a try i say why not go for it? For all you know you might do well in it:) Even if you don't you can always drop it.

For me 3rd Lang actually helps in pulling my grades up. Do you know that you can actually take the grade of your 3rd Lang to substitute a subject in school? This applies to humanities only i think. But it still helps.

[MummySTay]

Good morning. I have a few questions on 3rd language that a friend, whose DD is also going to RGS, just threw at me. However, due to my inexperience, I could not answer them and I hope the parents here can kindly assist. Thanks in advance.


1. Can 3rd language be dropped anytime during the year?
2. If want to drop, what’s the procedure? Write an official letter? Speak to the dean?
3. How many times a week is the lesson? Some said once, some twice?

[MummySTay]

MummySTay:

Good morning. I have a few questions on 3rd language that a friend, whose DD is also going to RGS, just threw at me. However, due to my inexperience, I could not answer them and I hope the parents here can kindly assist. Thanks in advance.


1. Can 3rd language be dropped anytime during the year?
2. If want to drop, what's the procedure? Write an official letter? Speak to the dean?
3. How many times a week is the lesson? Some said once, some twice?

I called up RGS and now I can answer my own questions. This is for the benefit of those who are interested:

1. There are 2 to 3 window periods in a year whereby students can drop the subject. Once is during mid year.
2. Fill in an official form and submit together with parents' letter.
3. Differs for different schools. For RGS, it is only once a week; 2 hours each time.

[icecubism]

Hi… I’m curious about one thing. I am going to Dunman High School next year and is trying to decide whether i should take up a third language. May i ask, does DHS offer the course in the school or do i have to attend lessons in a designated centre outside of the school for French language? Thank you so much if you could reply ASAP because i need to submit my options by 30 Nov. Thanks again.

[Choco05]

MummySTay:

MummySTay:

Good morning. I have a few questions on 3rd language that a friend, whose DD is also going to RGS, just threw at me. However, due to my inexperience, I could not answer them and I hope the parents here can kindly assist. Thanks in advance.


1. Can 3rd language be dropped anytime during the year?
2. If want to drop, what's the procedure? Write an official letter? Speak to the dean?
3. How many times a week is the lesson? Some said once, some twice?

I called up RGS and now I can answer my own questions. This is for the benefit of those who are interested:

1. There are 2 to 3 window periods in a year whereby students can drop the subject. Once is during mid year.
2. Fill in an official form and submit together with parents' letter.
3. Differs for different schools. For RGS, it is only once a week; 2 hours each time.

For RGS, it is once a week on Friday, for 2012. And it's 3h 15mins each time. For Japanese next year it would be from 2.30pm-5.45pm. I'm an RGS girl and i take Jap:)