The "O" Level results are out and besides the Sec 4 of 2009.The Sec 3 of 2010 also have gotten their "O" Level Chinese results back.Our students have done exceptionally well in the exams and were mentioned earlier in previous posts at June.
Firstly, Jeremy Ma,from Anglican High Higher Chinese student,this year Sec 4 have gotten an A2 for chinese,outpassing the expectations of many.He has also achieved a Distinction in the Oral.He joined 8 tuition lessons during the June Holidays where he learned primarily the skills of Oral Exam.As he is busy of with CCA and school work,he is unable to continue with the CCA and he might get A1.
Shawn Chiang from NUS High School of Mathematics and Sciences(NUSHS) last year Sec 4,scored C5 for the "O" Level Chinese.A big improvement from his expected results.
From a person who normally fail his paper with D7 or E8 and with little confidence of the language, to someone who is more confident now and even able to relate a news incident in fluent mandarin to the oral examiner.He joined the tuition when he was Sec 2 and carried on for 2 and a half years once per week till Sec 4.He came from an english speaking background thus he lacks the foundation of the language which needs time for him to build.Before the tuition when he was asked to write newspaper article reviews,he had to look up the dictionary for practically most of the words but now he is able to communicate his thoughts.
I know that using a traditional and inflexible way of teaching him Chinese he will be bored and thus will not put in the effort.I try to use interactive tools,the internet,news websites like omy.com to give him contact with hot news topics that might come out in exam.He also learnt how to use the computer to type out his compo,allowing the process to be faster so as to overcome the fear of writing long essays. (400-500 words)They turn out to be more effective than the old way of teaching textbook.We also give him pen-and-paper assignments like top school paper to prepare him properly for the "O" Level.
For example there was once his school was sent to Community Involvement Programme(CIP) work,to send rations to the elderly living in the one-room flat.He was later asked to write a composition on that.Not sharp in his language he is unable to express his thoughts.During tuition both of us looked up the websites to view videos and pictures to aid him in expressing his thoughts to me so that i can help him.It was a success and the teacher commended him on his work.
Su Jintian last year Sec 4 from CHIIJ Katong Convent Sec has gotten B3 for Chinese.IN 2007,she joined my tuition when she was in Sec 2.At that time she was getting around 50 plus in her exams.Her mom expected more and found me by recommendation.
Her school does give a lot of assignments like book reviews,newspaper article reviews,textbook practices.Especially book reviews as the book that the school assigned to Jintian was too difficult for her to understand.She had to consult me everyday in one week of the holidays.Especially during the school holidays she will have a heavy load comprising of internet work which she will always bring to tuition to ask me. She is a fast learner.She has a lot of activities and CCAs resulting in her not being able to do my tuition work.IF not with her intelligence she will be able to get A1 easily for Chinese.When she reach a Sec 4, she stopped tuition allowing more time with her other subjects.If she had continue i will guarantee she will have a higher chance of getting A1.She is a bit of a pity.She scored 8 points,preparing to enter Temasek JC.
