Higher Chinese in P5 - To opt or not

[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.

[rocklee]

Both my kids did very well in MTL throughout P1 to P4 with a consistent band 1 without tuition but with lots of guidance from me. However, my DS1 was not recommended to take HMT in P5 because he did not do well in the other core subjects. Though I could opt for him to go HMT, I decided against it. I was glad that I made the right decision as he needed more time for the other core subjects. P5 was indeed a demanding year with more remedial classes, homework and CCA practices. There was hardly anytime for revision. DS1 spent the least time on his MTL as he had to cope with the other subjects. Like most kids, he struggled with chinese comprehension. Fortunately, he was able to make it up with the other components like oral, compo and listening comprehension and managed to get a high B.


Unlike DS1, DS2 is given the option to take HMT in P5 next year. I have struggled very hard to make a decision as I do not want to deprive him of this opportunity just because gor gor does not cope well yet I am afraid that I can’t give him as much attention since DS1 will be taking PSLE next year. DS2’s MTL teacher advised me to give him a chance to try as he was attentive in class and had good learning attitude. All I need is to help him with consistent revision, encourage him to read more and write more. I have discussed with DS2 about the challenge and asked him to make his own decision. Finally, we have decided to accept the challenge and give it a try. I bet whatever he learns in HMT will still benefit him in P6 and beyond even if he has to drop the subject later. It is now a matter of determination and good time management. Just hope we have made the right decision.

[BlueBells]

My DD has been working hard to qualify for HMT, so we opt in the moment she is recommended for it.


Our philosophy has always been to support our children in the sound decisions they make so that there are no regrets. In fact, DD made the decision herself to take HMT. She is aware that if her HMT is not up to par, the school will make her drop it; but rather than live life with some "what ifs" we prefer that we have at least given it a shot.

[zeemimi]

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.

Only if the child is in the top 30% n meet the criteria then can take HMTLs in secondary school.

Pupils who offer Mother Tongue Language (MTL)(i.e. Chinese/ Malay/ Tamil) or HMTL (i.e. Higher Chinese/ Higher Malay/ Higher Tamil) at the PSLE and are ranked among the top 10% of the PSLE; or are in the top 11% - 30% band who meet the language criteria (i.e. an A* grade in the MTL or at least a Merit in the HMTL)may opt to study HMTL at secondary schools. They may offer English Language and HMTL in the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination at the end of Secondary Four.