<![CDATA[Higher Chinese so difficult]]>My son taking higher chinese in Ai tong and has been struggling with his chinese since. He is now in primary 4 and i am thinking of changing him to another school that offer normal chinese next year. Please advise

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/39715/higher-chinese-so-difficultRSS for NodeMon, 17 Aug 2026 18:51:16 GMTSat, 25 Aug 2012 16:49:12 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:22 GMT]]>Anyone staying in Woodlands is interested to join a small group NCL/HCL tuition (3-4 students) on Mon afternoon?

Lesson conducted by experienced tuition centre teacher.
interested, pls pm / email ahmo1997@gmail.com, thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1838183https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1838183Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:31:02 GMT]]>

FantasyLandDreams:
sky minecrafter:

slight format change effective PSLE 2017 if not mistaken.

For instance, these types of questions start to appear in 阅读理解
1. 选择最适合作为这篇短文的题目 并从短文中找出支持你的答案的理由
2. 解释短语在文中的意思
3. 写出短文段落的大意 (考 归纳，概括内容的能力)

Qtn 1 is mcq , but need to explain reason for the choice?
Qtn 2 must explain in own words?
Usually teacher will teach new format in P5, or earlier in P4?

Hihi FLD,
- Sort of, 二选一; 阅读理解 for 高华, all 开放式
- Yup
- P5 I suppose? Our school implements HCL from P1; nonetheless this is new & the pioneer batch (Y2017 P6) and the batch right after (Y2017 P5) only begin to be exposed to them changes from P5 onwards (to my knowledge).

After this year's PSLE HCL, we'd be able to determine how exactly the exam board would set the questions. 😄
在知识的山峰上登得越高，眼前展现的景色就越壮观。

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788719https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788719Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:31:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:30:38 GMT]]>

sky minecrafter:
phtthp:

...what are the demands of Higher Chinese at PSLE? What should P6 students be alert to, or need to look out for ?


Hi phtthp, your concerns are broad and wide - I've no answer to that. 😄 There's however a slight format change effective PSLE 2017 if not mistaken.
For instance, these types of questions start to appear in 阅读理解
1. 选择最适合作为这篇短文的题目 并从短文中找出支持你的答案的理由
2. 解释短语在文中的意思
3. 写出短文段落的大意 (考 归纳，概括内容的能力)
PSLE HCL TYS available at bookstores would have the specifics. Alternatively, 2016 P5 HCL papers would likely be practising these as well.

Hi sky minecrafter
Can I clarify :
Qtn 1 is mcq , but need to explain reason for the choice?
Qtn 2 must explain in own words?

Usually teacher will teach new format in P5, or earlier in P4?

Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788680https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788680Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:30:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:36:13 GMT]]>personally I feel that the old format of HCL compre is easier compared to the new format. At least with the old zaoju format, can easily score 6 marks and the last 2 questions (4m each) relating personal experience and thoughts can also be a stealer if kids have real life experiences.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788583https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788583Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:36:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:30:23 GMT]]>

phtthp:
...what are the demands of Higher Chinese at PSLE? What should P6 students be alert to, or need to look out for ?

Hi phtthp, your concerns are broad and wide - I've no answer to that. 😄 There's however a slight format change effective PSLE 2017 if not mistaken.
For instance, these types of questions start to appear in 阅读理解
1. 选择最适合作为这篇短文的题目 并从短文中找出支持你的答案的理由
2. 解释短语在文中的意思
3. 写出短文段落的大意 (考 归纳，概括内容的能力)
PSLE HCL TYS available at bookstores would have the specifics. Alternatively, 2016 P5 HCL papers would likely be practising these as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788579https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1788579Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:30:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Wed, 26 Jul 2017 05:26:05 GMT]]>

sky minecrafter:

Hi, Do you mean demands from the school or demands of the subject/exam paper?
Hi skyminecraft,

may we know what are the demands of Higher Chinese subject exam paper, at PSLE ?

What should P6 students be alert to, or need to look out for ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787909https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787909Wed, 26 Jul 2017 05:26:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Wed, 26 Jul 2017 05:21:04 GMT]]>

phtthp:
For P5 Higher Chinese, besides attending compulsory 2 hour supplementary Higher Chinese every Monday, what other things need to take note of ?

Hi, Do you mean demands from the school or demands of the subject/exam paper?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787907https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787907Wed, 26 Jul 2017 05:21:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Tue, 25 Jul 2017 23:56:38 GMT]]>For P5 Higher Chinese, besides attending compulsory 2 hour supplementary Higher Chinese every Monday, what other things need to take note of ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787683https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1787683Tue, 25 Jul 2017 23:56:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:22:28 GMT]]>

mummy of three:
sleepy:

[quote=\"Picolo\"]
Chicken feet for some, cut throat for some others. I have the extremes even in the same household 😉
The 3 points are useless for non-SAP sec schools. Which child still wants to continue studying in an SAP school after PSLE if he has been struggling CL?!! :slapshead:

I find HCL's 3 points useless too.
Problem is some SAP schools don't allow switching to Normal Chinese at P5. Die die must continue with HCL :faint:

Learning HCL is learning more than CL, but does it harm to learn more even if there is no 3 points?[/quote]Is your oldest kid in lower pri or below?

My answer was directed to Jerytan. I think, for the threadstarter to even consider the drastic move of transferring son to a non-SAP school, it must be quite stressful for the parent/son to cope with the high CL requirement as well as the competition in the SAP school. My ds2 is of the same age as jerytan with the same issue, and I can understand. I also considered transferring school for my ds2 before, but that was 2 years ago. After I realised there was already a very long waiting list in the desired school, I gave up that idea and tried ways and means to help my son learn CL, and cope with the high standard of CL in his class. I thought, nebbermind, I'll teach CL and perseverance at the same time.

So to answer your question, HCL is not harmful, only beneficial and provide good exposure for those who can cope. But it's not the case for those really really struggling to learn CL, ie. 听写/默写always a big fat O or perpetually fail type from P4 or, to do well, need 10x more effort than others. The 3 marks is definitely not worth the effort for those struggling with CL, really.

At P1 and P2, doing well in CL was easy. DS2 had 96 (P1) and 88 marks (P2). But at P3 till now, he's doing about 46th percentile at about 60+ marks. He is struggling with CL. On the other hand, DS1 is spending so little time to learn his 听写/默写 but still does relatively well. For HCL he's getting better than 90th percentile. Same family, same exposure but huge difference in outcome, no?

DS2 loves to stay with the same classmates next year and so he will try his best to do well in all subjects. If his overall aggregate allows him to stay in the same class, he will have to opt for HCL class in P5. This is the disadvantage of those students who are weak in CL but overall scores still manage to get into the top 2/3/4 classes. If they opt out of HCL, they will join the NC class which are not the top classes, and will have new set of classmates.

I hope my sharing will help parents (esp. those with kids not so great with CL) to consider SAP schools carefully. Note also from P5, HCL classes in SAP schools have more hours spent on HCL and less hours spent on Science compared to NC classes. :snuggles:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833693https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833693Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:22:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:57:26 GMT]]>Actually, HCL is not all that difficult. All languages need time and patience to learn and grasp properly. If you have already embarked on it, make it a point to master it reasonably well, it certainly beats the normal Chinese paper which is quite lame if you have acquired a higher standard through learning HCL.


To improve in the Chinese language, you need to read and read and read Chinese literature more and make good effort to converse in the language be it at home with family members or with friends. Learn through active use of the language and instil a passion for the language. A good start is to learn Chinese proverbs and idioms and appreciate the beauty of the language.

When my son first took up HCL, he too struggled and shunned the language. I made a point to converse in Mandarin at home to my kids and instead of using English and expose them more to Chinese books and workbooks. I let them watch more Chinese dramas on TV too. I did not engage any Chinese language tutor as I feel I can manage on my own teaching him. With my encouragement and constant coaching, he perservered and developed an interest for learning the language and even came to appreciate Chinese. He is especially excited when it comes to learning 好词好句 when writing essays. He pays good attention during chinese lessons and writes essays constantly. His Chinese has improved by leaps and bounds and even scored A* for his Chinese and distinction for HCL. I am very happy for his determination and perserverance. I never thought my son can overcome the so called difficulty in the Chinese language.

My advice is not to give up but to bite the bullet and preserver on. It takes a lot of hard work and passion. With encouragement and patience from parents, I am sure your son can push his boundaries to achieve better results in HCL.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833470https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833470Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:57:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:39:55 GMT]]>

jerytan:
definitely dropping HCL next year in P5 but wondering if Ai Tong offering NCL

Yes, Ai Tong offers CL only without the HCL. If I do not remember wrongly, Ai Tong limits the number of HCL classes by P5: 3 or 4 classes a year cohort only. The rest of the classes take CL only.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833461https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833461Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:39:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:00:36 GMT]]>definitely dropping HCL next year in P5 but wondering if Ai Tong offering NCL

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833447https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833447Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:00:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 09:21:17 GMT]]>

BeContented:
ksi:


Actually no one can advise for your dd, you have to ask some questions to yourself and her.
1. Why learn HCL? For grades or for immersion of higher mastery of the language because it is MT? If there is alternative, maybe school's HCL is not essential? HCL to me is accelerated CL.

2. Do you want her to immerse in the cultural aspects in sec school, I.e. choice of SAP school?

3. How is she coping with her other subjects? Does she need that extra time for her 4 subjects?

All these things about extra 3 points is irrelevant for the thought process. It is a bonus in the school entry system only which should not be the driver. Learning and mastery of a language goes beyond school selection. This is what I say to a sista la... Kekeke.

Agree.
If your dd can cope without affecting the 4 core subjects, do not detest HCL, always good to learn more 🙂
DS doesn't like CL much (does not detest also), but I still ask him to do HCL since we are Chinese, good to immerse in it & who knows, interest may come in later in life. As for the 3 points, it's a bonus, criteria is a pass.

If really really cannot handle, still can drop after P5.

:snuggles: :hugs: Mummy BeContented and Dr. ksi; appreciates much :salute: :salute: :thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833356https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833356Sun, 26 Aug 2012 09:21:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:48:19 GMT]]>

ksi:
Champion:

[quote=\"Lynn2010\"]For those who can cope, HCL is good. So, whether the 3 pts or useful or useless, good to learn more.

My DD1 is P4 this year too and I understand towards the end of Term 4, they will be given an offer to take HCL in P5? I am still quite clueless about this option as some of my friends / relatives have advised against taking HCL as that \"3 points are useless unless you are aiming for a SAP sec school :? \" :scratchhead:

Would appreciate advice from parents here; :thankyou: :snuggles: :hugs:

Actually no one can advise for your dd, you have to ask some questions to yourself and her.
1. Why learn HCL? For grades or for immersion of higher mastery of the language because it is MT? If there is alternative, maybe school's HCL is not essential? HCL to me is accelerated CL.

2. Do you want her to immerse in the cultural aspects in sec school, I.e. choice of SAP school?

3. How is she coping with her other subjects? Does she need that extra time for her 4 subjects?

All these things about extra 3 points is irrelevant for the thought process. It is a bonus in the school entry system only which should not be the driver. Learning and mastery of a language goes beyond school selection. This is what I say to a sista la... Kekeke.[/quote]Agree.
If your dd can cope without affecting the 4 core subjects, do not detest HCL, always good to learn more 🙂
DS doesn't like CL much (does not detest also), but I still ask him to do HCL since we are Chinese, good to immerse in it & who knows, interest may come in later in life. As for the 3 points, it's a bonus, criteria is a pass.

If really really cannot handle, still can drop after P5.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833190https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833190Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:48:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:21:55 GMT]]>

ksi:


All these things about extra 3 points is irrelevant for the thought process. It is a bonus in the school entry system only which should not be the driver. Learning and mastery of a language goes beyond school selection. This is what I say to a sista la... Kekeke.
Agree - 3 pts is irrelevant. I encourage my dd to take bcos, even if she didnt do well, it does not affect her PSLE aggregate score. Throughout the 3 yrs (p4 to p6), i told her to focus on CL and the extra learning for HCL will benefit her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833144https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833144Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:21:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:03:41 GMT]]>

Champion:
Lynn2010:

For those who can cope, HCL is good. So, whether the 3 pts or useful or useless, good to learn more.

My DD1 is P4 this year too and I understand towards the end of Term 4, they will be given an offer to take HCL in P5? I am still quite clueless about this option as some of my friends / relatives have advised against taking HCL as that \"3 points are useless unless you are aiming for a SAP sec school :? \" :scratchhead:

Would appreciate advice from parents here; :thankyou: :snuggles: :hugs:

Actually no one can advise for your dd, you have to ask some questions to yourself and her.
1. Why learn HCL? For grades or for immersion of higher mastery of the language because it is MT? If there is alternative, maybe school's HCL is not essential? HCL to me is accelerated CL.

2. Do you want her to immerse in the cultural aspects in sec school, I.e. choice of SAP school?

3. How is she coping with her other subjects? Does she need that extra time for her 4 subjects?

All these things about extra 3 points is irrelevant for the thought process. It is a bonus in the school entry system only which should not be the driver. Learning and mastery of a language goes beyond school selection. This is what I say to a sista la... Kekeke.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833138https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833138Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:03:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:59:55 GMT]]>

fightingmom:
jtoh:

[quote=\"jerytan\"]My son taking higher chinese in Ai tong and has been struggling with his chinese since. He is now in primary 4 and i am thinking of changing him to another school that offer normal chinese next year. Please advise


It's too drastic a move to switch schools. Have a talk with the school. Find out what they can do for him, whether they offer CL classes to weaker students. Your son can't be the first and only student to struggle with HCL so they must have solutions in place.

Agree with jtoh totally that it is a drastic move to change school especially since your ds already have friends whom he made over the past 4 years. He will have to adjust to new environment and make new friends plus coping with the jump from P4 to P5... Not so advisable lei...

Not sure about Ai Tong, but my dd's school allows parents to decide whether to let their DC take HCL in P5 by the end of term 4 in P4. However, school will review again in P5 and those children whom the teachers feel that they can't cope with HCL, the school will advise the parents to let them drop HCL and to concentrate on the 4 subjects.[/quote]Most schools will advise their pupils who do not do well in hcl to drop the subject and take normal chinese in p5. Same practice in Aitong too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833136https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833136Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:59:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:53:54 GMT]]>

jtoh:
jerytan:

My son taking higher chinese in Ai tong and has been struggling with his chinese since. He is now in primary 4 and i am thinking of changing him to another school that offer normal chinese next year. Please advise


It's too drastic a move to switch schools. Have a talk with the school. Find out what they can do for him, whether they offer CL classes to weaker students. Your son can't be the first and only student to struggle with HCL so they must have solutions in place.

This is good advice, take bite size steps to a final solution if there are too much uncertainties.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833134https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833134Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:53:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:51:58 GMT]]>

jtoh:
jerytan:

My son taking higher chinese in Ai tong and has been struggling with his chinese since. He is now in primary 4 and i am thinking of changing him to another school that offer normal chinese next year. Please advise


It's too drastic a move to switch schools. Have a talk with the school. Find out what they can do for him, whether they offer CL classes to weaker students. Your son can't be the first and only student to struggle with HCL so they must have solutions in place.

Agree with jtoh totally that it is a drastic move to change school especially since your ds already have friends whom he made over the past 4 years. He will have to adjust to new environment and make new friends plus coping with the jump from P4 to P5... Not so advisable lei...

Not sure about Ai Tong, but my dd's school allows parents to decide whether to let their DC take HCL in P5 by the end of term 4 in P4. However, school will review again in P5 and those children whom the teachers feel that they can't cope with HCL, the school will advise the parents to let them drop HCL and to concentrate on the 4 subjects.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833132https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833132Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:51:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:43:28 GMT]]>

Lynn2010:
For those who can cope, HCL is good. So, whether the 3 pts or useful or useless, good to learn more.
My DD1 is P4 this year too and I understand towards the end of Term 4, they will be given an offer to take HCL in P5? I am still quite clueless about this option as some of my friends / relatives have advised against taking HCL as that \"3 points are useless unless you are aiming for a SAP sec school :? \" :scratchhead:

Would appreciate advice from parents here; :thankyou: :snuggles: :hugs:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833127https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833127Sun, 26 Aug 2012 01:43:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:50:01 GMT]]>

jerytan:
My son taking higher chinese in Ai tong and has been struggling with his chinese since. He is now in primary 4 and i am thinking of changing him to another school that offer normal chinese next year. Please advise

It's too drastic a move to switch schools. Have a talk with the school. Find out what they can do for him, whether they offer CL classes to weaker students. Your son can't be the first and only student to struggle with HCL so they must have solutions in place.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833101https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833101Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:50:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:48:01 GMT]]>

alng:
Am I right that the child must take HCL in Pri school in order to take HCL in sec school? I understand that if a child take HCL in sec school and pass with dunno what min grade, they need not take any more chinese in JC.

There's no need to take HCL in primary school to take HCL in secondary school. If you attain a pass grade in O level HCL, you are excused from Chinese in JC.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833100https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833100Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:48:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:37:38 GMT]]>For those who can cope, HCL is good. So, whether the 3 pts or useful or useless, good to learn more.


My dd is quite a potato, she knows from the start she WILL NEVER go to a SAP school, she tried HCL. Ok lah, got a merit, no regrets.

Now in Sec, knowing she is such a potato (still speaking her Chinese w a "slang"), she is trying out HCL in Sec 1. She said, she’ll try.

I always encourage her by saying "if someone who is not of Chinese origin (that is a Malay, Indian, Caucasian) can learn Chinese, so can you".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833098https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833098Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:37:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Higher Chinese so difficult on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:37:36 GMT]]>Am I right that the child must take HCL in Pri school in order to take HCL in sec school? I understand that if a child take HCL in sec school and pass with dunno what min grade, they need not take any more chinese in JC.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833097https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/833097Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:37:36 GMT