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Language lessons from community
Talks by businessmen with dealings in China aid language study in schools. -ST
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
The Straits Times
By Clarissa Oon
SCHOOLS regularly invite businessmen with dealings in China to give talks as part of their efforts to further improve the environment for learning Chinese.
Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, in disclosing this yesterday, said these speakers can demonstrate to students the value of the Chinese language, or take them through certain aspects of Chinese history, culture or geography.
He made the point to underscore the importance of the Chinese community's support in raising the standard of Chinese in schools, amid the growing trend of families speaking mainly English.
Dr Ng was replying to Nominated MP Teo Siong Seng, who had asked what else the Ministry of Education (MOE) was considering to improve the environment for learning Chinese, apart from relooking teaching methods. Mr Teo is a businessman and chairman of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The MOE is currently reviewing how the Chinese language is taught and tested in schools so as to cater to a wide spectrum of students, from the linguistically strong to those who are weaker. It will unveil the changes during the Committee of Supply debates on the Budget in March.
Dr Ng said MOE wants to change how Chinese is taught to students so 'the broad middle-band from mainly English-speaking homes' can see its relevance to their lives. Meanwhile, MOE will continue to support those who can attain high levels of language proficiency.
He highlighted a range of options for students who want to go further with the language. They can take Higher Chinese at the primary and secondary levels, as one-quarter of Chinese students now do.
At the A levels, they can take Chinese Language and Literature as well as subjects like General Studies, China Studies and History in Chinese. There are also special programmes for them at the secondary and junior college levels, such as the Bicultural Studies Programme and Chinese Language Elective Programme.
On top of that, MOE will consider setting up one more Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school if there is demand. At present, there are 15 primary and 10 secondary SAP schools, where special emphasis is placed on nurturing an interest in Chinese language and culture.
However, MOE must not leave behind students who are average or weak in Chinese, said Dr Ng, especially as six in 10 Chinese Primary 1 pupils come from predominantly English-speaking homes, compared with one in 10 pupils 20 years ago.
A similar trend can be seen among Malay and Indian families. Six in 10 Indian pupils and nearly four in 10 Malay pupils entering Primary 1 speak mainly English.
English is also the primary mode of communication for the young on the Internet, an MOE survey has found.
'So, inexorably, the time exposed to other languages, whether Chinese, Malay or Indian, has come down, and we're recognising this,' said Dr Ng.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Talks by businessmen with dealings in China aid language study in schools. -ST
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
The Straits Times
By Clarissa Oon
SCHOOLS regularly invite businessmen with dealings in China to give talks as part of their efforts to further improve the environment for learning Chinese.
Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, in disclosing this yesterday, said these speakers can demonstrate to students the value of the Chinese language, or take them through certain aspects of Chinese history, culture or geography.
He made the point to underscore the importance of the Chinese community's support in raising the standard of Chinese in schools, amid the growing trend of families speaking mainly English.
Dr Ng was replying to Nominated MP Teo Siong Seng, who had asked what else the Ministry of Education (MOE) was considering to improve the environment for learning Chinese, apart from relooking teaching methods. Mr Teo is a businessman and chairman of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The MOE is currently reviewing how the Chinese language is taught and tested in schools so as to cater to a wide spectrum of students, from the linguistically strong to those who are weaker. It will unveil the changes during the Committee of Supply debates on the Budget in March.
Dr Ng said MOE wants to change how Chinese is taught to students so 'the broad middle-band from mainly English-speaking homes' can see its relevance to their lives. Meanwhile, MOE will continue to support those who can attain high levels of language proficiency.
He highlighted a range of options for students who want to go further with the language. They can take Higher Chinese at the primary and secondary levels, as one-quarter of Chinese students now do.
At the A levels, they can take Chinese Language and Literature as well as subjects like General Studies, China Studies and History in Chinese. There are also special programmes for them at the secondary and junior college levels, such as the Bicultural Studies Programme and Chinese Language Elective Programme.
On top of that, MOE will consider setting up one more Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school if there is demand. At present, there are 15 primary and 10 secondary SAP schools, where special emphasis is placed on nurturing an interest in Chinese language and culture.
However, MOE must not leave behind students who are average or weak in Chinese, said Dr Ng, especially as six in 10 Chinese Primary 1 pupils come from predominantly English-speaking homes, compared with one in 10 pupils 20 years ago.
A similar trend can be seen among Malay and Indian families. Six in 10 Indian pupils and nearly four in 10 Malay pupils entering Primary 1 speak mainly English.
English is also the primary mode of communication for the young on the Internet, an MOE survey has found.
'So, inexorably, the time exposed to other languages, whether Chinese, Malay or Indian, has come down, and we're recognising this,' said Dr Ng.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
