2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[parent111]

isetan:

parent111:

My son has been offered following Thrid Language - 09-Malay (Special Proogramme), 10-Chinese (Special Proogramme), 56-Arabic, 58-Bahasa Indonesia, 06-French, 08-German. As we have only one kid and no previous experience with Secondary Schools. I need your advise - should we choose any third language for him, any benefits of third language. Your feedback/response is highly appreciated.

Is your DS in 'O' level or IP?

Thanks for the response he has got PSLE score of 257 and has got ACS(I) O level via DSA regards

[parent111]

mummy so kiasu:

parent111:

My son has been offered following Thrid Language - 09-Malay (Special Proogramme), 10-Chinese (Special Proogramme), 56-Arabic, 58-Bahasa Indonesia, 06-French, 08-German. As we have only one kid and no previous experience with Secondary Schools. I need your advise - should we choose any third language for him, any benefits of third language. Your feedback/response is highly appreciated.

Third language is like taking an additional subject. Your child must be able to cope & he must have interest in it.

Thanks & Best Regards for the advise

[isetan]

parent111:

isetan:

[quote=\"parent111\"]My son has been offered following Thrid Language - 09-Malay (Special Proogramme), 10-Chinese (Special Proogramme), 56-Arabic, 58-Bahasa Indonesia, 06-French, 08-German. As we have only one kid and no previous experience with Secondary Schools. I need your advise - should we choose any third language for him, any benefits of third language. Your feedback/response is highly appreciated.

Is your DS in 'O' level or IP?

Thanks for the response he has got PSLE score of 257 and has got ACS(I) O level via DSA regards[/quote]Is yours IB route or 'O' level route? Just to clarify again. For third Lang, my understanding is that they will be useful only for 'O' level, for which a deduction of 2 pts from O level results upon achieving certain good result after the 3rd Lang study. If IB program does not consider this as criteria, my suggestion is not to take, cos it will take up additional loads.

[pixiedust]

parent111,


Your ds got ACS(I) O level via DSA. This means he will take O levels and based on his O-level results (L1B5), he will apply to a JC where he will do his A levels.

ACS(I) is affilated to ACJC. This means he can deduct 2 points from his L1B5 if he applies to ACJC.
He can also deduct 2 points if he scores A1 or A2 for his CCA.

HOWEVER, a maximum of 4 points deduction is allowed.
Please read this carefully :
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/jae/faqs/#bonus-pt

Therefore, if your son applies to ACJC and he has A1 for CCA, he can't have a 2 bonus point deduction for his 3rd language.

Hope this helps.

[julialai]

isetan:

parent111:

[quote=\"parent111\"]My son has been offered following Thrid Language - 09-Malay (Special Proogramme), 10-Chinese (Special Proogramme), 56-Arabic, 58-Bahasa Indonesia, 06-French, 08-German. As we have only one kid and no previous experience with Secondary Schools. I need your advise - should we choose any third language for him, any benefits of third language. Your feedback/response is highly appreciated.

Thanks for the response he has got PSLE score of 257 and has got ACS(I) O level via DSA regards

Is yours IB route or 'O' level route? Just to clarify again. For third Lang, my understanding is that they will be useful only for 'O' level, for which a deduction of 2 pts from O level results upon achieving certain good result after the 3rd Lang study. If IB program does not consider this as criteria, my suggestion is not to take, cos it will take up additional loads.[/quote]isetan is correct. Third lang allows 2-point deduction from 'O' level results (i.e. if our DC can persist till then and take 'O' level third lang exam). But not relevant for IP.

My DS also got into ASCI IP via DSA and also offered third lang option now. He's interested to study one, but we told him that he has to be sure he wants to do it. Students in ACSI are required to take up 2 CCAs, plus all the new subjects, so going for third lang lessons after school calls for some strong interest and commitment. I hear from DS's tutor that a number of students drop third lang before the first year is up.

My DS said,\"If I don't try, how do I know if I enjoy it or can do well in it?\" Oh well, we shall let him try..

[isetan]

Hi parent111,


is there any option for you to switch to IB program, since it is under ACS(I) family?

[mummy so kiasu]

isetan:

Hi parent111,


is there any option for you to switch to IB program, since it is under ACS(I) family?

Why not check with the school principal? I think the possibility is there. Good luck!

[Rational_Parent]

julialai:

My DS said,\"If I don't try, how do I know if I enjoy it or can do well in it?\" Oh well, we shall let him try..

My take on the 3rd Lang offer is to give it a miss. It is always difficult to learn a new language at age 12 years old onward, especially if there is no one in the family conversing in that language, and no exposure to mainstream media and TV in that language. This is particularly true for French and Japanese.

To me, trying to be proficient in the main languages (i.e. English and MT) is already challenging enough at secondary level onwards, not to mention being competent in additional subjects such as LA, Hist, Geog, and so on.

Good luck to your DS though.

[Mama Mania]

julialai:

My DS said,\"If I don't try, how do I know if I enjoy it or can do well in it?\" Oh well, we shall let him try..

Yes, by all means, let him try. Year 1 is still manageable. You may also like to check if third lang in his school counts towards his overall marks because if it is, he has to be serious about it as like all other subjects, you have to do online assignments and if you do not submit on time, no grades be given and there are tests in between and if these add to the overall Sec 1 marks, it does have an impact.

I am talking in terms of French as third lang and if he is just trying, I suggest you refrain from buying the Dictionary first otherwise it sure is a waste of $. An indication of their continued interest can be seen by Term 2.

[sunnymumsy]

Can refer to this link for last yr's cut off points. Hope all mummys find it useful!


http://www.acetutors.com.sg/Secondary-School-Ranking-2012-Based-On-PSLE-Intake