KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

phtthp wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:09 pm

How about, for IP (A-level track) students ?

let's say there is this scenario.
There are some IP students, very weak in HCL.

For these IP students,
on their own personal initiative, not compulsory,
can they approach their Chinese HOD, ask to take O-level bu-hua earlier in June then?
Reason why these weak IP students still prefer to take O-level bu-hua is because
so that they don't get a rude shock in results later on, when sit for O-level (gao hua) at end of their Year 4 (Nov).
Take O-level (bu hua) earlier,
in June (Year 3) or
In November (Year 3)
In June (Year 4) ?

If they are weak in HCL, they should opt for an IP school that does not make HCL compulsory. If I am not mistaken,
IP schools that do not make HCL compulsory > IP schools that make HCL compulsory. So there are many options.

If somehow they are weak in HCL but insist on going for an IP school that makes HCL compulsory, they also wont be in for a rude shock at the sec 4 year end O level HCL exam because if they are weak and remain weak, they would be seeing that bad grade many times throughout the 4 years

Also, while I am not privy to promotion criteria of all IP schools, I believe failing O level HCL (and not having sat for O level CL) does not stop you from going on to JC1. So rude shock or not, there is no need to find your HOD to ask to take the O level CL exam. You will get your chance to sit for the exam eventually. Therefore, I think the system is set up such that there is no need to worry about not having taken the O level CL exam by sec 4.

Actually, the intention for allowing to sit for CL paper earlier is to relieve students' burden of a subject come end of the year (since CL papers are set locally), rather than to give them 2 chances (no doubt there's this added advantage for some).

Also, the differences between 高华 and 普华 Papers are quite vast

In my dd IP school, HCL is compulsory. For girls who din do well for HCL (I don't know whether it is below B4 or C6), at sec 3, they are asked to read the CL syllabus and take the O level CL exam thereafter.

MintLeaf wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:11 pm

Hi Daisyt and Mathsparks,

I know this may not fit this topic, but can you or your child give the following a go? I want an opinion. Do you think this is easy or difficult for Express Chinese (not HCL)?

综合填空

人人都 Q1 (渴望 向往 期待 盼望)被理解，但理解在哪儿呢?它无形无色，抽象得不可 Q2 (捉摸 思议 理喻 分析)。然而，理解对于人生又那么重要。难怪人人都希望能被理解，人人都觉得自己被人理解得太少，感到生活中更多的是误解、曲解、费解，甚至是大惑不解。人世间之所以有很多 Q3 ( 利害 隔阂 分歧 迷惑)和矛盾，就是由于缺乏理解造成的啊!

理解尽管玄妙，但却也 Q4 (掺杂 混合 渗透 出现)在我们生活之中。音乐会上的掌声，雪天送来的炭火，对走路不便的老人的搀扶，献给失败者的鲜花，Q5 (志同道合 风雨同舟 一帆风顺 同心协力)的伴侣等等，还有很多，不知道你可曾留意过。

为了 Q6 (增加 增添 补充 弥补)孤父寡母自己无法替代的感情，子女主动为他们牵线搭桥，寻找伴侣; 自己虽然被打倒了，但却赢得对手的佩服，这比同伴的 Q7 (鼓掌 欢呼 赞美 喝彩)更令人激奋。有些人相处了一辈子，彼此仍不甚了解; 有些人只需要一道眼波，双方便 Q8 (心心相印 相濡以沫 同甘共苦 温故知新)。有些人宁可要一个聪明的敌人， 也不愿意要一个愚蠢的朋友。有一些人一 Q9 (片 副 颗 套)铁石心肠，却被一声问候叩开了泪的闸门。这些，不正是理解在起作用吗?

理解事物是困难的，理解人更困难。你得 Q10 (忍受 忍心 忍耐 残忍)，探求，斗争，甚至做出牺牲。

Hi Mint leaf,

Understand above was a message posted in Y2010, eleven years ago.

However, may we ask
from which S3 / S4 Secondary school's test paper content was this from, or
from which O-level Chinese Assessment book content ?
Thank you

Hi, my ds is in IP Y1. He just got back his first gaohua compo test; 情境作文. Any idea when would IP schools introduce 高华 exam format; 电邮发表看法 and 议论文? TIA

KCSpider wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:35 am

Hi, my ds is in IP Y1. He just got back his first gaohua compo test; 情境作文. Any idea when would IP schools introduce 高华 exam format; 电邮发表看法 and 议论文? TIA

Some schools start "yi lun wen" zuowen in Y2, from Term 2 onwards.

Some start later, in Y2 Term 3 (July) , after the June school holiday break.

By Term 4 (Y2),
students have the choice :
to choose to write "yi lun wen" or qin jing zuowen,
in their year-end (October) Y2 gao-hua Assessment

phtthp wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:39 am

KCSpider wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:35 am

Hi, my ds is in IP Y1. He just got back his first gaohua compo test; 情境作文. Any idea when would IP schools introduce 高华 exam format; 电邮发表看法 and 议论文? TIA

Most schools start "yi lun wen" zuowen in Y2, from Term 2 onwards.

Some start later, in Y2 Term 3 (July) , after the June school holiday break.

Thx for the speedy response!

Just scrutinized his masterpiece... omg, its like p6 standard and teacher was very very lenient n unbelievably encouraging. Spoil my plan about sending him for tuition

Your son only finished PSLE 6 months ago, in 2020 (October).

Naturally, majority of the Sec 1 students' mindset are still operating in the PSLE or P6 standard mindset mode way of thinking / writing, not just your child alone. Even some of the Sec 2 students, still also like that.

It takes time and lots of effort reading up, to slowly adjust to the O-level mode of thinking & writing gao-hua. There is a VERY big difference, between (PSLE vs. O Level) gao-hua. Only time & through lots of reading exposure, listening to Chinese news, can gradually overcome, "tweak" their mindset. Thus, don't be discouraged. For now, since your child only Sec 1, just focus on qin jing zuowen, first. Slowly, then they mature in their thinking thought process gao-hua.

O-level HCL zuowen, is like writing GCE A-level (General Paper), except that you write in Chinese, this time. Hence, can be challenging for students who disliked reading up Chinese articles. If they dont bother to read up, then their brain database content inside is empty. One need to plan out their thought thinking process well step by step, before start to pick up the ball point pen start writing.

phtthp wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:58 am

Your son only finished PSLE 6 months ago, in 2020 (October).

Naturally, majority of the Sec 1 students' mindset are still operating in the PSLE or P6 standard mindset mode of thinking / writing, not just your child alone. Even some of the Sec 2 students, also like that.

It takes time and lots of effort reading up, to slowly adjust to the O-level mode of thinking & writing gao-hua. There is a VERY big difference, between (PSLE vs. O Level) gao-hua. Only time & through lots of reading exposure, listening to Chinese news, can gradually overcome. Thus, don't be discouraged. For now, since your child only Sec 1, just focus on qin jing zuowen, first. Slowly, then they mature in their thinking thought process gao-hua.

O-level HCL zuowen, is like writing GCE A-level (General Paper), in Chinese, where one need to plan out their thought thinking process well step by step, before start to pick up the ball point pen start writing

Noted... start reading more 范文，新闻and tune to 958! Appreciate your sharing n thx for being here

Reenie wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:51 am

chenlaoshi wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:58 pm

Reenie wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 8:08 pm

hi chen lao shi,

Any recommendation for materials for HCL O Level Chinese Oral? thanks!!!

Hi Reenie,

Assessment wise, the options are very limited - there's only like 2 for HCL in the market.

Sources I use/recommend includes:
- SPH's 看录像说话 series (3 books till date - no overlapping, 4th book to be released next month)
(pic "stolen" from Carousell )
New video format from Book 2 onwards


- 逗号 magazine
https://zbschools.sg/NIE/oral-practice

- Programmes like 前线追踪 and 星期二特写
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/foru ... A#p2011646

Thank you!

Hi Reenie,

FYI, the latest edition (看录像说话4）has been released this month : https://subscribe.sph.com.sg/publications-zbc4/