But it's only an additional component isn't it? I don't get the impression that they are doing away with the 2 back-to-back comprehension passages (killer).
Brenda10:Yes. I do agree that it will definitely lessen the phobia toward MT if we compare those sample vs the 2010 P6 test papers that the children are working on.phankao:But at least maybe the phobia for MTL might be lessened?
I think it is about a consistency in effort. I am actually very impressed with parents who try to do the daddy-speaks-Chinese-and-mummy-speaks-English thing. Very commendable.
mummy of 2:If the parents are not conversant in MT then can't blame them for not using the language with their kids. What puzzles me are those parents who can converse in MT yet insist on speaking only english at home.
I don't think the changes will be rolled out so quickly. Hanyu pinyin must be accompanied with recognition of characters. Hanyu Pinyin should become less foreign when they are familiar with the 'sounds' of Chinese characters. besides, children at a young age are more adept at pictorial memory.
DaddyI was taken aback by all the hypy too... think it's pretty extreme to have all in hypy and no chinese characters....Callie Tan:Personally, I thought I am very good in hypy but yet I still get quite intimidated when I saw the worksheets (no chinese words/characters, ONLY hypy, even the instructions/sub-headings!) from my girl's enrichment centre... I must say it might be a tall order for some kids with little or no foundation in Hanyu Pinyin.
Wonder if any changes to the chinese textbooks/curriculum next year with the new changes annouced?
Mummy of 2, I agree with you that MOE is trying to encourage more speaking of Chinese at home. It is the best environment where children can speak without fear of bring laughed at. But the issue is a lot of parents find it difficult to hold a decent conversation in Chinese. That is a real problem. Perhaps parents should sign up for enrichment classes! Haha.
mummy of 2:Think hard to say as some kids can read MT but may not be so fluent in the spoken language whereas some can speak well but may not be able to read or write as well.So does that mean the standard is lowered?KSP:[quote=\"mummy of 2\"]My personal take is that it will be easier for kids who can speak fluently in MT.
Hi all,
I am sure we have learnt of the latest revamp in the MTL exam format and teaching methods released over the news last night and on front page in ST and čåę©ę„ this morning. \"Proficiency descriptors\" seems to be the buzz phrase this year. For the benefit of all parents here, I am attempting to summarise the key changes here.
The guiding principle is to allow students to actively use what they learn in the classroom as opposed to learning it for purely academic purposes. Hence, the focus is on real-life usage.
Sources: ST, čåę©ę„ andhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com. There is also an official release on MOE's website and again full details are there as well http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2011/01/enhancing-the-teaching-and-testing-of-mtl.php
1. More emphasis on interaction skills, both written and oral
a. Videos will be used in oral exams where students will have to describe and be prompted from what they see, rather than describe a printed picture.
b. New PSLE questions based on context will be tested. I.e. test students' response to a specific scenario by offering MCQ options. E.g. Qns - Based on the above scenario, what will your response/reply be? Pls refer to http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2011/annex-b-mtl-review.pdf for sample question.
c. New or modified items testing interaction skills will take up 20% of the PSLE exam from 2017.
2. Greater use of IT
a. New exam items like writing an email will be included (only at sec school). Writing of MT characters is still emphasized in pri schools. Keyboarding will not replace the whole exam; It will be an added component.
b. Expansion of usage for e-dictionaries
3. Timeline of changes
a. Changes will take place progressively from 2011 to 2017.
b. Video-Oral component in PSLE will only be used in 2017 PSLE. But this element will be introduced in school curriculum before 2017 to prepare students for it. (This means next year's P1 batch will take the new PSLE format in 2017)
4. Boost to HMTL
a. MOE will roll out translation courses in JCs from 2015 for those with higher learning ability in Chinese.
5. Proficiency Descriptors (This is only given in full detail in čåę©ę„, for the Eng version, pls refer to this link - http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2011/annex-a-mtl-review.pdf
It's important to expose them to Hanyu Pinyin in K1/2. It's equally important to expose them to more Chinese characters now so that when they are familiar with the sounds and intonation of Chinese characters, learning them in P1 will be easy. Daily conversation in Chinese helps too.
cambriant:Hi,
I just found out that my son's kindergarten will not be teaching hanyu pinyin in K2. I have heard that the first half of primary one for chinese will be mainly hanyu pinyin. I have talked to some teachers. One commented that taking hanyu pinyin now will cause confusion with phonics and may make the kid complacent or confused when they learn it again in primary one. Another teacher commented that it is better to take it at a leisurely pace now so that the kid will be more confident reading Chinese in primary one, despite not knowing all the characters. This same teacher also commented that hanyu pinyin is taught quickly in primary one, leaving not much time for the kid to learn before it is tested. So its better to take it in k2.
Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated!
Hi,
would like to suggest a Chinese play that is worth watching in Singapore and highly recommended for kids to get to be interested in Chinese. It is the story of åęē©ŗ and ē½éŖØē²¾, a very familiar story for most of us. They had performed this in the Huayi festival 2009 and received positive feedback and they are back this year. There are not many children Chinese plays around. So, would really encourage parents out there to bring your kids down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9RoxqTJ9F8
Ticketing info can be found here http://www.papermonkey.com.sg/
Hi,
would like to suggest a Chinese play that is worth watching in Singapore and highly recommended for kids to get to be interested in Chinese. It is the story of åęē©ŗ and ē½éŖØē²¾, a very familiar story for most of us. They had performed this in the Huayi festival 2009 and received positive feedback and they are back this year. There are not many children Chinese plays around. So, would really encourage parents out there to bring your kids down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9RoxqTJ9F8
Ticketing info can be found here http://www.papermonkey.com.sg/
