Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)
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In general, I think children in SAP schools are better in Chinese because there is this “Chinese culture” within the school that helps the children to be more immersed in the language. But if you are comparing Higher Chinese and Normal Chinese, there is not a great deal of difference in the text books and syllabus at the primary level.
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That might be true in some schools, but my son is in one of the SAP schools and I think the kids and staff speak more English than Chinese amongst themselves. Also, the 听写characters are quite hard - for me :).
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So Tien Hsia & Hua Language Centre which is better?
Quite very limited chinese enrichment class in Singapore. Is there such things as Chinese Phonics in here? -
They both provide very similar chinese enrichment environments, and are equally well supported by parents. I suggest you just choose the one that is the most convenient for you - remember you have to provide the chauffeuring service :).
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I think both centres really provide lots of drilling, and follow the school syllabus very closely. If this what you think your child will benefit from, then, go ahead.
There is also another Chinese enrichment centre called “Eduplus”. This is run by an ex radio station DJ. Besides the text book, they also do stuff like 3-minute speech whereby the child will be given a topic to go home and write about and then present it in class. I find this very useful because it trains the child in public speaking, raises his / her confidence level. The creative writing training is also quite good. Based on the new Chinese syllabus, oral has a much higher weightage than before. It’s 50 marks or 25% of the whole examination. -
Lizawa, Thanks for the tip on eduplus. Those interested can get more info http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/enrichment/eduplus-language-centre.
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Hi, have any parents sent their kids to Jiang Education Centre. Heard it was very good. Just want to get some feedback how good it is as compare to Tien Hsia & Hua Language School. Tks so much.
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Yes, heard that this school is very popular among the SAP school students for Chinese. So the standard should be quite high. The “not so good” thing about this school, is the location.
Heard that the daughter of “Jiang Laoshi” has started the ‘English tuition’ in the same center as well. -
Yes I heard is very popular too especially their 3 hours classes called the “Jing Ying” Class. It located in the central area near Bugis so not so much on transport. I juz want to know which is better - Jiang Education, Tien Hsia , Hua Language or Berries. Can any parents give some feedback. Also I would like to know do all the parents send their kids for creative writing class or leave it to them to write on their own. I find it really very “SHIONG” for the kid to attend 1 1/2 - 2 hours of chinese encrichment followed by another 1 1 /2 h of creative writing. Will the kid get BURN OUT anot or they may not be able to pay attention in class with such a long hour. Parents kindly give me some feedbacks pls. Tks so much.
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Personally, I think it depends on what area your child is weak in and which standard he is in. If he is ok with the main paper, just weak in writing, then perhaps the creative writing will do.
For those who are weaker in Chinese or are not so interested in the language, then, enrichment + creative writing may kill off their interest totally. Too tough for them. In this case, maybe one that encompass both instead of 2 separate classes may be easier on them.
If you need to strategise for examination, the breakdown of PSLE Chinese paper components :
Main paper : 45%
Listening Comprehension : 10%
Composition : 20%
Oral : 25%
See the higher weightage in oral component ? It's a 50 mark paper, and it is highly possible to score full marks or close to full marks if you are fluent enough and able to use good vocabulary. Compo is a 40 mark paper, and if you are really very very good, maybe 37 and above. Average paper will score less than 30.
And oral is only a 15-minute exam whereas compo is a 50-minute exam
Having said that, good foundation and interest in the subject are still more important.