Third languages

[Essential]

japanese is easier to pick up

[CassN]

If you're just so-so about taking 3rd Language, not much interest, just trying out or going for fun, I'd suggest not to take it. I took Japanese for some time (My class had about 20+ from my school) and by the end of Sec1, There was only less than 10 left. Some others eventually left in Sec2, and now there's only about 5 of them left. (Out of them, 2 are actually half-Japanese who already knew the language).


It is not easy to pick up (i guess especially the basics). If you're really interested and passionate about learning a new language, then I'd say go for it (; Persevere through the 'basics' part and it will come to you more naturally after that. Be sure you can handle an extra subject as compared to your peers who do not take 3rd Language, and be able to cope with school work and CCA and any other commitments you have

[ruohoo97]

:thankyou:

findingnemo:

GLORYmum:

Anyone taking French please share your experience and also what do you learn in year 1?

Hello, I took french all the way till sec 3 mid year, then dropped it (main reason was actually I didn't go for the exam due to some reasons-didn't want to look bad on the report card, and lost interest, although regretting now...)

The first lesson, you will be introduced to the alphabet, and the various pronouns (je, tu, il, ils). and the conjugation of être (is-like He is, we are that sort of thing), which is the basis of everything. also, some prepositions.

In subsequent lessons, you will learn conjugation of more words, some grammar usage and sentence construction and a bit of vocab (like weather specific, buildings etc). I believe its the same as learning any new language. Then towards the end, there will be passé composé (past tense) and continuous tense. (there are much more tenses in French).

At the end of year 1 (provided with some effort), you should be able to read a simple text, write a simple compo of 100 words, and able to comprehend some slow reading (like introducing yourself etc). Of course, year 1 is very important, as it is the foundation for subsequent things. It is very important to do all your homework meticulously every week, especially the worksheet, workbook and elearning exercises, never procrastinate, as if you lag behind just a bit, you will not understand subsequent lessons. Also, you will need to spend a bit of time memorising vocabulary, and the various exceptions (there are tons of them). There is really no other easy way.

In the following years you will get to know more tenses, learn some more grammar, and hopefully get to know a lot more vocab. Actually, a good teacher from the start is very important. Like I had very good teachers in sec 1, who really knew how to teach the material and can explain well, so I had the motivation to make an effort. However, in sec 2, I got another teacher, who doesn't know how to teach at all. He will spend the entire 3 hours going through this stack of worksheets, going to one table at a time (so it's like small group tuition, while others are talking, doing their own things etc), so I think I didn't learn a lot from year 2 onwards and thus did worse-lagged behind-cannot understand futher-which is a vicious cycle. As a starter, I think you should find out who are the better teachers, and transfer to their classes if possible. It will be easier as times go by.

Some of my friends actually go for French tuition at Alliance Francaise etc. It is really expensive, and I think it's not necessary actually.

:thankyou: For sharing. Does third lang include into report card? really worry for third lang, don't know whether it will be too much to handle it?

[Choco05]

ruohoo97:

:thankyou:

findingnemo:

[quote=\"GLORYmum\"]Anyone taking French please share your experience and also what do you learn in year 1?

Hello, I took french all the way till sec 3 mid year, then dropped it (main reason was actually I didn't go for the exam due to some reasons-didn't want to look bad on the report card, and lost interest, although regretting now...)

The first lesson, you will be introduced to the alphabet, and the various pronouns (je, tu, il, ils). and the conjugation of être (is-like He is, we are that sort of thing), which is the basis of everything. also, some prepositions.

In subsequent lessons, you will learn conjugation of more words, some grammar usage and sentence construction and a bit of vocab (like weather specific, buildings etc). I believe its the same as learning any new language. Then towards the end, there will be passé composé (past tense) and continuous tense. (there are much more tenses in French).

At the end of year 1 (provided with some effort), you should be able to read a simple text, write a simple compo of 100 words, and able to comprehend some slow reading (like introducing yourself etc). Of course, year 1 is very important, as it is the foundation for subsequent things. It is very important to do all your homework meticulously every week, especially the worksheet, workbook and elearning exercises, never procrastinate, as if you lag behind just a bit, you will not understand subsequent lessons. Also, you will need to spend a bit of time memorising vocabulary, and the various exceptions (there are tons of them). There is really no other easy way.

In the following years you will get to know more tenses, learn some more grammar, and hopefully get to know a lot more vocab. Actually, a good teacher from the start is very important. Like I had very good teachers in sec 1, who really knew how to teach the material and can explain well, so I had the motivation to make an effort. However, in sec 2, I got another teacher, who doesn't know how to teach at all. He will spend the entire 3 hours going through this stack of worksheets, going to one table at a time (so it's like small group tuition, while others are talking, doing their own things etc), so I think I didn't learn a lot from year 2 onwards and thus did worse-lagged behind-cannot understand futher-which is a vicious cycle. As a starter, I think you should find out who are the better teachers, and transfer to their classes if possible. It will be easier as times go by.

Some of my friends actually go for French tuition at Alliance Francaise etc. It is really expensive, and I think it's not necessary actually.

:thankyou: For sharing. Does third lang include into report card? really worry for third lang, don't know whether it will be too much to handle it?[/quote]If you really cannot cope with 3rd Lang, just drop it. I know many classmates who flunk every single test with the mentality that they want to drop the subject. There are only 2 withdrawal period a year so many people don't even take 3rd lang seriously.

3rd lang does include into report card. If you are good in 3rd lang, it actually is a great help to your GPA, because you can substitute your 3rd lang GPA with some other subject's GPA in school.

[ximinful]

Hello!


I am offered to study third language but Im afraid of being unable to cope.If I choose to study third language, should I study French,German or Japanese?

[Careermum]

You have to decide based on your interest & whether you intend to go to any of these countries to study in future.


Do note that, only Malay & Indonesia, if you pass, gives you bonus of 2 points during your O level L1R5 scoring; the other 3 languages do not have such bonus.

[VeryKSMum]

I have full set of Japanese books for sale. PM me if interested. They are in good condition.

[enoawng]

Hi,


Any anyone tell me whether it is compulsory to submit third language option MSP (Malay) etc… when registering S1?

If you don’t do it now, will you have to do it later?

Thanks

[Koh-i-Noor]

enoawng:

Hi,


Any anyone tell me whether it is compulsory to submit third language option MSP (Malay) etc.. when registering S1?

If you don't do it now, will you have to do it later?

Thanks

Hi, enoawng.

It's not compulsory to opt for a 3rd Language, but it's compulsory to submit the option form by the S1 Posting submission date. If you are not interested, you will need to indicate -NIL- at all the 3 columns of choices.

If you do not exercise your 3rd Language option with this S1 Posting Exercise, you will not be allowed to do it in future.

Hope this helps.

[Flowermonaster]

enoawng:

Hi,


Any anyone tell me whether it is compulsory to submit third language option MSP (Malay) etc.. when registering S1?

If you don't do it now, will you have to do it later?

Thanks

No, it's not a must.