Language skills are essential to communication, and being able to speak fluently in multiple languages can be a boon in the interconnected world we live in. As Mandarin is one of the most spoken languages worldwide, learning Higher Chinese may be a viable option for students looking to improve their fluency while developing an appreciation for the language.
What is Higher Chinese in Secondary School?
Higher Chinese is a four-year programme that falls under the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination in Secondary 4. It is available to students who pass their PSLE Mother Tongue Language (MTL) exam with a score of AL1/AL2. However, schools may also offer it to students who demonstrate a “high ability and interest in MTL” and can cope with the syllabus’ “learning load.” Students will then need to sit for both the standard Chinese exam and Higher Chinese, though the latter is assessed separately.
Higher Chinese focuses on advanced lessons related to Chinese comprehension, vocabulary, and writing capabilities. Featuring a larger vocabulary than standard Chinese, it also requires students to study more advanced learning materials, expand their vocabulary and fluency, and write compositions using various literary and writing techniques. They will also be tested on their analytical skills, as well as their persuasiveness and expressiveness.
The subject primarily encourages students to consistently practice their language skills to write, read, and comprehend topics with confidence. Moreover, it also promotes creativity, critical thinking, and structured planning that allow them to excel.
Is Higher Chinese Recommended for Your Child?
Compared to standard Chinese, Higher Chinese covers a broader vocabulary range, including more literary terms that students may not often encounter. Composition and comprehension skills are also a focal point in Higher Chinese, requiring stronger analytical thinking, inferring from available points, and grammatical precision.
Students may also need to pay extra attention to their writing skills, sentence structure, and spelling, as evaluations tend to be more stringent in evaluating accuracy and overall linguistic comprehension. They will need to pay careful attention to how they approach questions by reading between the lines to understand what is asked of them.
Moreover, as an additional subject, students will have to divide their time accordingly between Higher Chinese and other subjects, making it tricky to juggle multiple subjects at once.
Given the more rigorous nature of Higher Chinese, it is often only recommended for students who demonstrate the following traits:
- They possess a strong command of the Chinese language and find it manageable alongside their other subjects.
- They are genuinely interested in learning the language and its intricacies, and view lessons as engaging and informative.
- They are eyeing competitive junior college (JC) programmes, intending to score well to gain the necessary L1R5 bonus to enrol in their chosen JC.
- They are interested in pursuing higher education or career opportunities in China, or fields related to bilingual/multilingual communication.
How Higher Chinese Differs from Standard Chinese Lessons
Standard Chinese lessons teach the foundational skills students need to learn the language, allowing them to read, write, listen, and speak Chinese with confidence. General lesson plans are not very intensive, but provide practical communication and comprehension skills needed for everyday communication, including grammar, spelling, and pronunciation. Oral and listening components also help to establish practical understanding of how to communicate with the language, facilitating accurate use of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
In contrast, Higher Chinese emphasises the need for fluency and accuracy when speaking the language. Students will need to interpret abstract or thematic questions to craft compelling, persuasive statements that demonstrate their command of the language. The rigid benchmark means that students are more strictly graded for their writing performance, necessitating constant practice to help them master Higher Chinese.
The Benefits and Challenges of Studying Higher Chinese
For students who are up to the challenge, Higher Chinese does offer several key benefits.
Junior College (JC) Eligibility
JC eligibility is determined by a student’s L1R5 score, which corresponds to their First Language (L1) score and up to five Relevant Subject scores. If a student scores well across their five Relevant Subjects, scoring A1 to C6 on Higher Chinese grants them 2 bonus points, which can make a significant difference between entering their first-choice or second-choice JC.
Language Proficiency
Outside of classes, Higher Chinese empowers students to become more proficient in the language. Not only does this benefit their academic performance in schools, especially with the standard Chinese syllabus, but it enables students to converse fluently at various points in their lives. Whether in school, university, or at work, the ability to speak Chinese eloquently can help them across social situations where Chinese is the lingua franca for communication.
How Do Students Prepare for Higher Chinese Exams?
Students will do well if they take early preparations to excel in their Higher Chinese exams.
Start Early
Starting revision early gives students ample opportunities to build their vocabulary and strengthen their literacy and fluency, which helps them master Higher Chinese. This early familiarity ensures they have the foundational knowledge needed to answer questions correctly and provide convincing arguments that showcase their understanding of a given topic.
Be Consistent
Even 20 minutes of reading, speaking, and writing Chinese daily can support students’ familiarity with diverse language concepts. Chinese-speaking media, such as news, TV series, and books, also give them many practical examples, empowering their overall comprehension of idioms, classical terms, and more.
Ask for Help
Teachers can provide students with plenty of assistance when they need it the most. Their support enables students to review past year questions, discuss specific approaches, and strengthen weak areas to facilitate better understanding. Tuition tutors may also provide the help students need to excel in Higher Chinese exams.
Empower students with the confidence they need to learn and master Higher Chinese. At Hua Yi Education, we provide classes with a well-designed curriculum and dedicated teachers to support their Higher Chinese education and enable them to read, write, and speak Chinese with greater confidence. Sign up today, or visit our website for further information.