Higher Chinese in P5 - To opt or not

[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.

[Awonder]

Hi, need some urgent advice abt HMT. He score 85 in his CA2 and all his other subject above 90. He is recommended to take up 4 Standard. I am thinking of letting him try HMT and in a dilemma now cos he is not in HMT for the past few years and wonder if he can cope. Btw, is it important to take up HMT?


Would there be any much different in Standard and Higher MT, such as learn more new words or more time demanding? Would it affect or bring down his mark in Standard Chinese, cos from my understanding the HMT should help in his Standard but probably he would not fare as well in HMT.

He is not so keen in taking up HMT and would rather do well in his Standard so most probably would respect his choice.

Just very keen to hear from any mummy with similar situation as mine. TIA

[BeContented]

Personally, as a Chinese I would hope my children can be good in CL. (& HCL if possible). To me, HCL is an extension to CL & if the child is able to handle their 4 core subjects well & do not detest CL, go for it. I'm not exactly stressed over HCL cos I view it as an optional subject - bonus if perform well enough to be used for SAP schools. Honestly, my kids were not given the option to say no to HCL during P4. :oops: We assessed them & felt they should be able to handle. Dun have to score distinction in Sch exams or PSLE, merit is good enough & if they really cannot manage, I'm prepared to let them drop it.


Perhaps my view is too simplistic, but its just like English Lang, read & listen more & they should be ok enough. Frankly, they still dun really read Chinese articles/storybooks but I do try to get Chinese comics to 'entice' them, let them watch the 9pm chinese shows etc.

Well, I do not know the HCL outcome yet......will know this 22Nov & next year :). If given an option, I will still 'encourage' them to take up HCL in Sec Sch.

[jedamum]

Good good good! Let the feedback flow in!

Thanks every one!
Son didn’t do well for chinese sa1 and through lots of effort, he made the most improvement this sa2 for this subject, so he feels very encouraged. But we noted that his improvement came from other components such as oral and listening comprehension. His paper two remains slightly below strong performance. On one hand, I would like to ride on his enthusiasm but also worrm if he can cope. What is the additional component needed for hmt? Exam what? Same format as NC? Eg cloze passages etc…

[PiggyLalala]

jedamum:

Good good good! Let the feedback flow in!

Thanks every one!
Son didn't do well for chinese sa1 and through lots of effort, he made the most improvement this sa2 for this subject, so he feels very encouraged. But we noted that his improvement came from other components such as oral and listening comprehension. His paper two remains slightly below strong performance. On one hand, I would like to ride on his enthusiasm but also worrm if he can cope. What is the additional component needed for hmt? Exam what? Same format as NC? Eg cloze passages etc...

Paper 2
Editing (10 marks), cloze passage (10 marks)
Comprehension.

No oral. No listening comprehension.

Paper 1:
Composition - no picture; 完成文章or 命名题 -2 pick 1.

Maybe u can go to popular and look at the p5/p6 assessment books, to get a feel of the standard and to know the various assessment components.

[jedamum]

Thanks piggylalala

Sounds tough! And I already sign the form! Why school never give briefing!

[PiggyLalala]

jedamum:

Thanks piggylalala

Sounds tough! And I already sign the form! Why school never give briefing!

Personally, i think it is good to let our boys try at least at p5 especially if they do not object. Now, a bit of the good news, I think distinction for hcl is above 80 ( not 90). Distinction is not easy to get but merit and pass are achievable.

[Tresille]

My ds1 was a borderline case when he was offered HCL in P4 few years ago, we opt in. He did not do well in P5, so we were thinking that the school will ask him to drop the subject in P6, but the school did not and he continued. Surprisingly, he scored a merit for HCL even though he only managed an ‘A’ for his CL in his PSLE. He did not go to a SAP sec school so the additional 2 points were not included in his T-score for admission. But he is automatically offered HCL in Sec school because he has taken HCL in PSLE. He is looking forward to the day he completes his HCL paper in Sec 4 and he can study 1 subject less for his A level.


My ds2 is much stronger in his MT compared to ds1. He is offered HCL and we have just opt in. He is in a SAP school, so students taking HCL or CL will be taught in the same class during curriculum time. I think the only difference is, students taking HCL will have to "cheong" for 1 more day for their HCL paper when the rest have already started their "end of exam celebration".

[jedamum]

Thanks so much for the sharing. With the substantial increase in difficulty level across all subjects in p5, this is a big step for parents who intend to opt for hmt if their kids are not really talented in it or has not taken hmt since lower primary but still qualifies. Actually quite pai say to let first born be guinea pig so second born will time will make us more experienced.