Exemption from MT (Chinese)

[peterch]

After waiting to see some proof myself, I could see that DS’s friends who are exempted from MT (Chinese) could easily get 240+ despite they are not strong in EMS.


These might be so called ‘unfair’ for those struggling (eg. my DS) to do CL for MT, but for those who are eligible to be exempted, you might want to apply for your DC to be exempted.

But for myself, when we decide not to take the option, I could see how tough my DS struggled and manage to pass the barrier. I’m very proud of him. He might not be in Singapore Best Schools but he survived the challenge and thanks too the CL teachers and tutor who nutured him with passion and patience.

[beluga]

Hi,


My son is P5 now and since P1, he has never passed any of his chinese paper. We have given him private tuition, made him watch as much chinese program, speak to him in mandarin and get him chinese story books to read but nothing works. Under the same environment, my younger daughter (P3) is doing above average for her chinese. Teacher told us to exempt him from chinese last year but we are reluctant. After some thought, we think that it may be a good idea.

Few questions:
1) What are the criterias to be allowed to be exempted, other than psychiatric reason?
2) What’s the procedure?
3) Is P5 already too late to be exempted?

Thanks

[Parent2008]

My DD is struggling with MT Chinese; just got 38%. We did a test with a Psychologist and she prescribed testing for Dyslexia using Weschler Test. The test did not show any form of Dsylexia and her report did not support exemption.


Now, the problem is that I understand that besides Dyslexia, there could be other Learning Difficulties and other angles to request for exemption.

Would appreciate if anyone in this forum could help with recommending a Pyschologist who has done this exemption and can propose the right kind of test. We spent almost $2000 but end up with a report that is not useful. I am also wondering if all who gets exempted because of Dyslexia because this seem to be the most common reason.

DD is crying everyday and very moody. Please PM if if you can help. We need to help her.

Thank you.

Parent2008

[Attolia]

Parent2008:

My DD is struggling with MT Chinese; just got 38%. We did a test with a Psychologist and she prescribed testing for Dyslexia using Weschler Test. The test did not show any form of Dsylexia and her report did not support exemption.


Now, the problem is that I understand that besides Dyslexia, there could be other Learning Difficulties and other angles to request for exemption.

Would appreciate if anyone in this forum could help with recommending a Pyschologist who has done this exemption and can propose the right kind of test. We spent almost $2000 but end up with a report that is not useful. I am also wondering if all who gets exempted because of Dyslexia because this seem to be the most common reason.

DD is crying everyday and very moody. Please PM if if you can help. We need to help her.

Thank you.

Parent2008

Honestly, if your child is doing well in all other subjects, then it is unlikely she is dyslexic or has learning difficulties. It just may be that she is not good at Chinese. Not everyone picks up languages easily, and I have cousins who, despite having learnt Chinese all their lives at school, struggle with the subject and have to cram to scrape through exams.

[sharonkhoo]

Parent2008:

My DD is struggling with MT Chinese; just got 38%. We did a test with a Psychologist and she prescribed testing for Dyslexia using Weschler Test. The test did not show any form of Dsylexia and her report did not support exemption.


Now, the problem is that I understand that besides Dyslexia, there could be other Learning Difficulties and other angles to request for exemption.

Would appreciate if anyone in this forum could help with recommending a Pyschologist who has done this exemption and can propose the right kind of test. We spent almost $2000 but end up with a report that is not useful. I am also wondering if all who gets exempted because of Dyslexia because this seem to be the most common reason.

DD is crying everyday and very moody. Please PM if if you can help. We need to help her.

Thank you.

Parent2008

How is she at other subjects? Are there any specific weaknesses in general learning abilitiy that you have noticed (eg. poor long-term or working memory, slow processing speed, poor reasoning skills etc)? Did the psychologist administer an IQ test? If all those tests don't throw up any problems, she may just be unmotivated at MT, or has a poor learning environment or attitude.

[ammonite]

How old is she? Which area is she poor in?

[Parent2008]

ammonite:

How old is she? Which area is she poor in?

She is 11, P5. She is poor in almost all areas. there is almost no way to quality. she tries hard and can get 100 for ting xie but yet don't know the meaning and how to use contextually. there is then a cascading effect in the application of the language and it arise in comprehension, fill in the blanks. I analysed and basically she doesn't understand the language. we tried many teacher and methods and to no avail. this is the last straw and we have given up trying. the stakes are just way too high and we are just running out of time. sigh......

[Parent2008]

ammonite:

How old is she? Which area is she poor in?

She is 11, P5. She is poor in almost all areas. there is almost no way to quality. she tries hard and can get 100 for ting xie but yet don't know the meaning and how to use contextually. there is then a cascading effect in the application of the language and it arise in comprehension, fill in the blanks. I analysed and basically she doesn't understand the language. we tried many teacher and methods and to no avail. this is the last straw and we have given up trying. the stakes are just way too high and we are just running out of time. sigh......

[ammonite]

Oh dear, very stressful indeed.it sounds like she has a very weak foundation. Is she able to distinguish the words and tones? You can look up dyslexia in Chinese.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/sep/23/research.highereducation2

See if this rings any bell for you.

I suggest you speak to the teachers ASAP, so that you know if you have to aggressively push her standards up. You may have to start at a lower level and speed up. If the gap between her level and the teaching materials are too wide,she will not gain anything. You have to meet her at her level, and then speed her up.

[Attolia]

Parent2008:

ammonite:

How old is she? Which area is she poor in?

She is 11, P5. She is poor in almost all areas. there is almost no way to quality. she tries hard and can get 100 for ting xie but yet don't know the meaning and how to use contextually. there is then a cascading effect in the application of the language and it arise in comprehension, fill in the blanks. I analysed and basically she doesn't understand the language. we tried many teacher and methods and to no avail. this is the last straw and we have given up trying. the stakes are just way too high and we are just running out of time. sigh......

Have you thought about letting her watch Chinese shows? It doesn't really matter what she watches - dramas, cartoons. It may be that she's not getting enough exposure to the language and if she immerses herself more into it in an enjoyable way, she'll understand it better. Do you and your spouse speak Chinese? If so, it may help to speak Chinese at home as much as you can (although you've probably already tried this).