Higher Chinese in P5 - To opt or not

[usaik]

I have heard some years back that one of the IP schools make HCL mandatory for all their students. Not sure if it still applies today.


I really wonder, wouldn’t student who does not take HCL in PSLE and subsequently has to take HCL in Secondary school find it tougher to adjust as compared to a student who has been taking HCL since primary school days?

[jedamum]

Bump this up for the 2002 qualifying kids!


Welcome all additional feedback. Thanks!

[Dino mummy]

jedamum:

Bump this up for the 2002 qualifying kids!



Welcome all additional feedback. Thanks!

I just signed the option form: not to take higher chinese.
DS qualified and wanted to take the subj cos his frds r taking. However, he noe he is not interested in chinese and he noe he will hv prob handling them. Most of all, he is relutant to put in effort in chinese. He thot over it and decided not to take the subj so he has more time to play.

[jedamum]

Thanks dino mummy for your comments.

Any parents in this thread can share their kids hmt journey?
I had SMSed son teacher and her comments were thatIif son can cope with 4 subjects now, he should try although be prepared for more demanding work. To us, we are hoping to get teacher who can inspire the boy as with that, he will be willing to scale the hmt mountain for her. Lol. Mummy not power enough.

[bebebub]

Dino mummy:

jedamum:

Bump this up for the 2002 qualifying kids!



Welcome all additional feedback. Thanks!

I just signed the option form: not to take higher chinese.
DS qualified and wanted to take the subj cos his frds r taking. However, he noe he is not interested in chinese and he noe he will hv prob handling them. Most of all, he is relutant to put in effort in chinese. He thot over it and decided not to take the subj so he has more time to play.

:hi5: my dd in exact situation as your ds. I told her the decision of opting in must not be becos her friends r doing it. She's convinced and agreed for me to sign the opt out form. I just hope we hv made the right decision :xedfingers:

[jedamum]

Wa! So many opt out? From what I know from my son, one of his friend opt out too. I ask my boy if he knows who opted in, he said don’t know - told him to check with his tuition friends over this weekend and found out one opted out and one wanted in but waiting for her mum to sign the form.

[Dino mummy]

jedamum:

Wa! So many opt out? From what I know from my son, one of his friend opt out too. I ask my boy if he knows who opted in, he said don't know - told him to check with his tuition friends over this weekend and found out one opted out and one wanted in but waiting for her mum to sign the form.

i tink if the kid is interested in the subject and willing to put in hard work, he can take HC. But mine is interested in playing and willing to be lazy so if he takes on, he will complain and complain....
Thru'out his Kindy and Pri days, he dislikes chinese. If it is not cos of enrichment classes and his sch's easier chinese paper, he is unlikely to score Band 1. He doesnt even read chinese books or materials. Look at his compreh paper, I noe it is gone case...can get 2 qns out of 5qns right and kept telling me the paper is difficult.

[Charnic]

Dun worry, i have opted for 4S1H. Few reasons to do so :


1). Child’s Forte
2). Aim for SAP sec school
3). Purportedly seen as stronger class due to the selection criteria.
4). Child’s request

[MMM]

Personally, I feel that HCL is more on compre. So if a child currently struggles on compre.... HCL is going to be very challenging.


My P5 dd was recommended to take HCL based on her P4 results. Those above 85 for P4 HCL are recommended to do HCL. Meanwhile for those below 85, it's optional. Eg. parents have a say whether the child should still do HCL in P5. However, progression to P6 is dependent on their P5 HCL and CL performance. Eg. pass HCL and score at least 70 for normal CL. Along the way, we do hear of peers failing HCL. Though dd never fail but it was the scrap through type (at most 60+). As they are in a SAP schools, most kids opt for HCL unless those who have been struggling with CL, parents usually make the decision on dropping HCL in P5. It's probably wise in cases like that as hearing the results of those who dropped HCL, they just pass CL in P5 (eg. 50+). So they probably will not qualify to take HCL in P6. So why create additional stress for those kids who are already struggling with CL. PSLE T score is only based on normal CL. Also, with HCL results, it will only add a maximum of 3??? points if you get distinction. :? and that is only handy if you are targetting a SAP sec school?

My P4 dd didn't make it to be recommended for HCL next year. But I am opting for him to continue HCL in P5. Personally, if they can, I hope they can continue with HCL in sec school. I saw how it was useful for my niece who sat for O levels 2 years back.

[zeemimi]

For our #1, we as parents had this noble desire for our child to learn more about Chinese. So we opt in. But for #2, after seeing what #1 went through, we thought it was not worth the time n effort. So for pragmatic reasons, we did not let #2 take hcl.