2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[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

[zeemimi]

MeKiasuLeh:

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.

Agree unless your kid has a really keen interest and a flair for languages. most of my dd's friends have dropped jap / french / german. in my opinion, it is more practical to take MSP / CSP.

But i've always wonder if it will be a different outcome altogether if moe offers Korean language, given that korean craze in spore.

[Rational_Parent]

zeemimi:

MeKiasuLeh:

[quote=\"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.

Agree unless your kid has a really keen interest and a flair for languages. most of my dd's friends have dropped jap / french / german. in my opinion, it is more practical to take MSP / CSP.

But i've always wonder if it will be a different outcome altogether if moe offers Korean language, given that korean craze in spore. [/quote]So that we can sing along and do the gangnam style moves better?

[MMM]

Pen88n:

MMM, sorry if this post is going to disappoint you: DSA is not an easy route and there is lots of competition for the limited vacancies. To be chosen, one has to have \"exceptional\" talent in that area, and it has to be one that the school is looking for. Even then, there may be only a handful of vacancies. As such, only a handful of top \"seeds\" will get it.


It's not only DSA, by the time your kid enters sec sch, you will discover that CCA is the same - in sec sch, it is the CCA that chooses you, not you choose the CCA! Sad but true - you no longer can \"learn\" a new instrument or a sports by joining the CCA, you need to have certain standard before the CCA will accept you!

Hi Pen88,

Thanks for the advice. Frankly.... we really dunno what DSA entails at this point. At this point, we can only try to meet the \"requirement\" that was set eg. academic performance, CCA involvement, etc... hopefully that gives the child a better chance of being \"selected\" for audition.... Was telling dd who sits for PSLE next year that being selected is one thing, doing well for audition is another and not forgetting her academic performance.... Thinking about it makes me stressed too....

In any case, told her with/ without DSA if she can make it academically, even without DSA offer, she still can go to the school. Another concern they had was.... I still want to be in band. But yes.... I read that in sec school... sometimes they cannot go into their desired cca unless it's via dsa, appeal, etc.... On the other hand, also heard of those who got in via dsa/ appeal but they stop enjoying that cca but have no choice but to hang on. So the passion isn't as before driven by mates, conductor, etc....

[yukilei]

janet_lee88:

Malsy9:

Dear Janet , like others on this forum I too have read and gained a wealth of information from your posts . I have been in the same boat as you . My DS didn't perform as well as we had expected . Janet your journey has been so real and heart felt . Wishing you and your children all the very best for the journey ahead . Thanks for all your posts !

Hi Malsy,
After this hard and painful knock, my son seemed to have grown up A LITTLE. When we received the not so desirable results, our hearts sank rock bottom. When we went to sec school open house today, deep down we were still reluctant to accept but told ourselves it's time to face up to reality. Hubby and I didn't express feelings bcos it was still hurting us.
Anyway, I put aside my sucky feelings and planned work for younger one...she must be ready before she returns to school. Son has to wake up and prepare to work very very hard.

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

Janet_lee88, don't worry, I believe he'll do his best. You too, do take care of yourself. I'm not sure if I've read wrongly, did you say you were planning for holiday trip but are cancelling it? If so, I would strongly encourage that you to bring your DS out for a short trip. Take a break. Come back fresh & kick start the engine again. It's a long way.

:hugs: