2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Lynn2]

Hi SAHM_TAN,


Nice to see you here!

Yes, there is certain T score for taking certain third languages.

I pm you.

Cheers,
Lynn

SAHM_TAN:

Am I correct to say that one has to achieve a certain T-score to be offered the option of taking up a 3rd lang? If yes, why some parents and kids are unhappy abt the T-score?
I'm trying to understand the context. Thanks.

[fifiyeo]

Hi Lynn,


Oh there is a certain T-score in order to be offered the option of a 3rd Language? I thought only for French, German and Japanese. For Malay it seems very common.

[BeContented]

SAHM_TAN:

Am I correct to say that one has to achieve a certain T-score to be offered the option of taking up a 3rd lang? If yes, why some parents and kids are unhappy abt the T-score?

I'm trying to understand the context. Thanks.

This is my understanding.

3rd Languages has 3 categories
Cat 1 - Malay / Chinese (special programme)
Cat 2 - Arabic / Bahasa Indonesia
Cat 3 - French / Japanese / Germain

Not sure about Cat 1&2. For Cat 3, also called Foreign Language, is only offered to the top 10%.
So far, I know that this year, 251 has been offered up to Cat 2.
255 & above is offered all 3 categories.
I suppose the top 10% cut-off would be from 252 - 255 then.

[SAHM_TAN]

BeContented:

SAHM_TAN:

Am I correct to say that one has to achieve a certain T-score to be offered the option of taking up a 3rd lang? If yes, why some parents and kids are unhappy abt the T-score?

I'm trying to understand the context. Thanks.

This is my understanding.

3rd Languages has 3 categories
Cat 1 - Malay / Chinese (special programme)
Cat 2 - Arabic / Bahasa Indonesia
Cat 3 - French / Japanese / Germain

Not sure about Cat 1&2. For Cat 3, also called Foreign Language, is only offered to the top 10%.
So far, I know that this year, 251 has been offered up to Cat 2.
255 & above is offered all 3 categories.
I suppose the top 10% cut-off would be from 252 - 255 then.

I see. Thank you.

[SAHM_TAN]

Lynn2:

Hi SAHM_TAN,


Nice to see you here!

Yes, there is certain T score for taking certain third languages.

I pm you.

Cheers,
Lynn

SAHM_TAN:

Am I correct to say that one has to achieve a certain T-score to be offered the option of taking up a 3rd lang? If yes, why some parents and kids are unhappy abt the T-score?
I'm trying to understand the context. Thanks.

yup I'm a traveller. Plus with 3 kiddos in school next yr, will not be able to visit the forum often. So best to ask all my qns now

[fifiyeo]

DS’s T-score is rather low and had been offered Cat 1 & 2 3rd Lang. I thought it was a crazy idea. I was so very glad that DS didn’t think it was wise to consider it as an option.

[hercules]

Rational_Parent:

It is more about priority, and the time a student have when in sec sch for his/her whole well-being, be it academic, health, acquiring new skill set, etc is a critical factor.

If a child is already weak in other subjects, then the taking of a 3rd lang of course logically should not be in the equation.

3rd lang is offered to 'capable' kids (kids with higher T score). It's a 'stretch' and a benefit to widen our mere bilingualism (that's a burden to some but just an additional load to some).

Kids, if they express interest and are offered, should ideally try. most of these kids are denied of the opportunity coz many parents want nothing but As for other subjects. In the academic pursuit of many, the child's results have to be straight As else it's a 'black mark' (cannot go HCI). This takes away the true meaning and joy of learning = failed education process.

It is easy to find many many straight As kids in the future. When come to job applications, these kids will be differentiated by the additional skills, such as a 3rd lang skill, that whoever has. So, it maybe myopic to write off the opportunity to take up a 3rd lang if the intention is to let the child focus in the As of other subjects that anyway most if not all will be taking too.

I see many children who did well enough for their 3rd lang in O level as well as many who dropped half way. So, can try after assessing the child's physical capability (here we assume that the child has the mental capability to attempt with a higher T score).

Above's my take.

BTW, there's definitely lot of difference for a person in general trying to pick up a language skills at age 12 vs as an adult. This is well supported by research and go comb for info if one is keen.

[its888me]

I thought Malay/Chinese/Arabic/Bahasa Indonesia offered to all students.

[Rational_Parent]

I'm extremely delighted and humbled to have DOE feature my post re issues with taking up the 3rd language on their website in such a finely edited and eloquent manner.


http://www.domainofexperts.com/2012/12/taking-up-3rd-language-some-key-issues.html

It'll not do you any harm to read it once more on their website.

[mummy so kiasu]

BeContented:

SAHM_TAN:

Am I correct to say that one has to achieve a certain T-score to be offered the option of taking up a 3rd lang? If yes, why some parents and kids are unhappy abt the T-score?

I'm trying to understand the context. Thanks.

This is my understanding.

3rd Languages has 3 categories
Cat 1 - Malay / Chinese (special programme)
Cat 2 - Arabic / Bahasa Indonesia
Cat 3 - French / Japanese / Germain

Not sure about Cat 1&2. For Cat 3, also called Foreign Language, is only offered to the top 10%.
So far, I know that this year, 251 has been offered up to Cat 2.
255 & above is offered all 3 categories.
I suppose the top 10% cut-off would be from 252 - 255 then.

250 & above is top 10% & they are able to opt for Cat 3, third language.