Exemption from MT (Chinese)
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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.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 old is she? Which area is she poor in?
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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:
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...... -
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. -
Parent2008:
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).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...... -
Attolia:
[/quote]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).[/quoteParent2008:
[quote=\"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......
done all that. even bought Korean drama. now its looking for way out. Thnks for listening. but we have given up. prefer to save Whats left of her confidence. -
Attolia:
[/quote]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).[/quoteParent2008:
[quote=\"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......
done all that. even bought Korean drama. now its looking for way out. Thnks for listening. but we have given up. prefer to save Whats left of her confidence. -
Attolia:
[/quote]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).[/quoteParent2008:
[quote=\"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......
done all that. even bought Korean drama. now its looking for way out. Thnks for listening. but we have given up. prefer to save Whats left of her confidence. -
IMHO, please don’t give up. She would ‘tune in’ somehow in future. Since the time is so limited, might try to get her exempted(if she is eligible). Getting exempted doesn’t means quit learning MT. She would continue learn in school and she could get extra tuition at home, but she will not do any MT exam. She would be able to concentrate on other subjects. CMIIW. Cheers…
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peterch:
IMHO, please don't give up. She would 'tune in' somehow in future. Since the time is so limited, might try to get her exempted(if she is eligible). Getting exempted doesn't means quit learning MT. She would continue learn in school and she could get extra tuition at home, but she will not do any MT exam. She would be able to concentrate on other subjects. CMIIW. Cheers.....
Thats exactly what I am looking at doing and hoping forumers can help to direct what areas I can consider looking at which can make her eligible for exemption other than testing for dyslexia. Also any recommendation for people psychologist to talk to would be appreciated. Thanks! -
Parent2008:
Talk to the school? I think there are some whose Chinese really cannot make it got exempted from psle. Is she doing foundation Chinese?peterch:
IMHO, please don't give up. She would 'tune in' somehow in future. Since the time is so limited, might try to get her exempted(if she is eligible). Getting exempted doesn't means quit learning MT. She would continue learn in school and she could get extra tuition at home, but she will not do any MT exam. She would be able to concentrate on other subjects. CMIIW. Cheers.....
Thats exactly what I am looking at doing and hoping forumers can help to direct what areas I can consider looking at which can make her eligible for exemption other than testing for dyslexia. Also any recommendation for people psychologist to talk to would be appreciated. Thanks! -
Was she assessed for dyslexia in Chinese as well as English? Some studies indicate that a person can be dyslexic in one language but not another. See:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/sep/23/research.highereducation2
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2009/10/12/its-all-chinese-to-me-dyslexia-has-big-differences-in-english-and-chinese/
I recall that a friend of mine had her daughter diagnosed as having Chinese dyslexia, but she was OK in English. She was exempted from MT at PSLE in 2011. -
slmkhoo:
Moe does not recgnise Chinese dyslexia according to my psychologist and das. if you can, please help me ask your friend where her daughter was diagnosed? that is what I am looking for. thanks!Was she assessed for dyslexia in Chinese as well as English? Some studies indicate that a person can be dyslexic in one language but not another. See:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/sep/23/research.highereducation2
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2009/10/12/its-all-chinese-to-me-dyslexia-has-big-differences-in-english-and-chinese/
I recall that a friend of mine had her daughter diagnosed as having Chinese dyslexia, but she was OK in English. She was exempted from MT at PSLE in 2011. -
Parent2008:
Sent you a pm.
Moe does not recgnise Chinese dyslexia according to my psychologist and das. if you can, please help me ask your friend where her daughter was diagnosed? that is what I am looking for. thanks!slmkhoo:
Was she assessed for dyslexia in Chinese as well as English? Some studies indicate that a person can be dyslexic in one language but not another. See:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/sep/23/research.highereducation2
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2009/10/12/its-all-chinese-to-me-dyslexia-has-big-differences-in-english-and-chinese/
I recall that a friend of mine had her daughter diagnosed as having Chinese dyslexia, but she was OK in English. She was exempted from MT at PSLE in 2011. -
We are thinking of applying to MOE to waive my dd’s Chinese exemption. She got her exemption because we were away in the US for a long time, and she was pretty resistant to Chinese when we first came back. She is entering Sec 1 next year, and we think she should do Chinese now that she is more matured. We think she should be able to do it as long as she puts in the effort with the right learning attitude (she has been attending Higher Chinese classes in school all these years). She herself is also willing to do it now. Do you think it is advisable? What are the challenges in sec sch Chinese (not Higher Chinese)? Do you think MOE would grant the waiver?
Thanks! -
mommyNg:
I believe that you can give up the exemption any time you wish to. If you want to keep your options open, you can tell the school that you want your child to be treated as if she is going to take the O level exam, but don't inform MOE yet. I think you don't need to inform MOE until closer to the time she needs to register to take the O levels. Do check with the HOD at the school about the details. My daughter (who returned in P6 and was exempted from MT, then we went away again and she returned permanently in mid-sec 2) also attended the MT classes at first, leaving it open that she might eventually take O levels. However, it's really been too much for her to catch up, so she now just attends for exposure without needing to do exams. I believe (but don't know) that sec school MT may be quite different from Pr school, so maybe she should try lessons for one year first?We are thinking of applying to MOE to waive my dd's Chinese exemption. She got her exemption because we were away in the US for a long time, and she was pretty resistant to Chinese when we first came back. She is entering Sec 1 next year, and we think she should do Chinese now that she is more matured. We think she should be able to do it as long as she puts in the effort with the right learning attitude (she has been attending Higher Chinese classes in school all these years). She herself is also willing to do it now. Do you think it is advisable? What are the challenges in sec sch Chinese (not Higher Chinese)? Do you think MOE would grant the waiver?
Thanks! -
slmkhoo:
Thanks simkhoo for your suggestion! The only problem is that she may want to attend a SAP school (where her friends will be), and MOE may not allow her to go to a SAP school if she is exempted from MT... :frustrated:
I believe that you can give up the exemption any time you wish to. If you want to keep your options open, you can tell the school that you want your child to be treated as if she is going to take the O level exam, but don't inform MOE yet. I think you don't need to inform MOE until closer to the time she needs to register to take the O levels. Do check with the HOD at the school about the details. My daughter (who returned in P6 and was exempted from MT, then we went away again and she returned permanently in mid-sec 2) also attended the MT classes at first, leaving it open that she might eventually take O levels. However, it's really been too much for her to catch up, so she now just attends for exposure without needing to do exams. I believe (but don't know) that sec school MT may be quite different from Pr school, so maybe she should try lessons for one year first? -
once you ask for waiver of MT exemption and want exemption again, you will not be allowed to do so.
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mommyNg:
You may want to post a question specifically about whether SAP schools accept students exempted from MT? Try posting it in the thread for that particular SAP school? I don't know as we ruled out all SAP schools simply because we thought an MT-exempted kid would always be a bit sidelined in a SAP school.
Thanks simkhoo for your suggestion! The only problem is that she may want to attend a SAP school (where her friends will be), and MOE may not allow her to go to a SAP school if she is exempted from MT... :frustrated:slmkhoo:
I believe that you can give up the exemption any time you wish to. If you want to keep your options open, you can tell the school that you want your child to be treated as if she is going to take the O level exam, but don't inform MOE yet. I think you don't need to inform MOE until closer to the time she needs to register to take the O levels. Do check with the HOD at the school about the details. My daughter (who returned in P6 and was exempted from MT, then we went away again and she returned permanently in mid-sec 2) also attended the MT classes at first, leaving it open that she might eventually take O levels. However, it's really been too much for her to catch up, so she now just attends for exposure without needing to do exams. I believe (but don't know) that sec school MT may be quite different from Pr school, so maybe she should try lessons for one year first?