Higher Chinese (高级华文) is an optional subject designed for students who have a keen interest and higher aptitude in the language. Taking Higher Chinese in primary schools gives students advantages such as bonus points in the PSLE and special entry into SAP schools. However, along the way, students may struggle with the complexity of this subject. While learning Higher Chinese may be challenging, with the right guidance, students can ace the subject with confidence. Let us dive into what Higher Chinese is all about and how you can better support your children in excelling in this subject.
What Is Higher Chinese?
Higher Chinese is a more advanced version of the standard Chinese subject offered in primary and secondary schools. In this course, students will encounter a wider range of vocabulary and texts. They will also become more familiar with using complex idioms confidently. Aside from vocabulary, students will also be trained more intensively in their composition and comprehension skills, along with oral expression.
Similar to standard Chinese, the exam for Higher Chinese consists of Paper 1 for Composition (作文), Paper 2 for Comprehension (理解问答), and an oral and listening exam. However, for Higher Chinese, the essay prompts are more abstract and thematic. The reading passages will require deeper comprehension skills, as they often come with open-ended questions.
Thus, Higher Chinese for primary schools requires critical thinking in analysing and interpreting various themes. It aims to give students a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and heritage. This is especially valuable in a multicultural society such as Singapore, and can give your child a significant advantage when pursuing higher education or career opportunities.
Some parents may have the misconception that Higher Chinese is just for the top 10% students. However, this is not necessarily true! Any student who is highly interested in the language and is eager to learn can perform well in this course, especially when supported by the right learning environment.
For parents deciding whether Higher Chinese is suitable for their child at the secondary level, our guide on whether your child should take Higher Chinese in secondary school covers the benefits, challenges and key factors to consider before making a decision.
Tips to Excel in Higher Chinese for Primary and Secondary Students
Although learning Higher Chinese may seem more challenging compared to standard Chinese subjects, the right support can make the journey less daunting and more enjoyable. Here are some tips to keep in mind when supporting your child to excel in Higher Chinese for primary or secondary schools.
Set Attainable Goals
As with learning any other subject, establishing goals from the start helps your child have a clearer picture of what they want to achieve. Keep the goals realistic and achievable based on your child’s progress, such as ‘scoring 10% higher in the next exam’, and encourage your child to stick to it. Every week or month, you and your child can evaluate their progress to see what still needs to be improved. Also, avoid negative comments or comparing your child to other students to prevent discouraging them from being their best. Remember, improvement takes time, and what matters is staying consistent.
Strengthen the Basics
The three main areas reinforced in Higher Chinese are composition (作文), comprehension (理解问答), and oral (口试). Make sure that your child’s learning sessions cover all three of these. For example, dedicate one day of the week to composition, one to comprehension, and one to oral. This way, your child can have better mastery of all three areas while still keeping their learning sessions engaging and less repetitive.
Converse in Chinese Regularly
True mastery of any language relies on using it in daily life. To excel in Higher Chinese for primary or secondary schools, encourage your child to converse in Chinese regularly. Additionally, you can try watching Chinese movies or news together and discussing them. This habit will help your child develop greater fluency over time, even when they are outside their study rooms.
Build vocabulary through extensive reading
Encourage children to engage in extensive Chinese reading and deep thinking. This helps enrich their vocabulary and develop their analytical and summarizing skills, which will greatly benefit their learning of Higher Chinese. Higher Chinese requires a strong vocabulary foundation, which your child is expected to use in their writing and speaking. This includes idioms (成语), proverbs (谚语), and advanced phrases (高级词汇). Learning vocabulary does not just involve recognizing and remembering the meaning of these phrases, but knowing how to apply them intuitively in writing and conversation.
Get Expert Help through Higher Chinese Tuition
While self-study and parental guidance is important, your child will benefit even more from structured and intensive guidance to ace Higher Chinese. That is why signing them up for Higher Chinese tuition is a great idea to strengthen their skills. An experienced and professional tutor who is trained in teaching Higher Chinese can provide the support your child truly needs. Moreover, a tuition centre has a supportive learning environment where students can fully concentrate without distractions that may exist at home. In Singapore, Hua Yi offers Higher Chinese tuition for secondary and primary students who are considering or already enrolled in the subject at their school.
Final Thoughts
Higher Chinese is a course that lets students have a deeper understanding and mastery of the Chinese language, opening up various opportunities in their future education or career. While the course is more challenging than standard Chinese, the right learning and emotional support can help your child excel in it.
Signing up for Higher Chinese tuition for secondary and primary students is a great way to accelerate your child’s learning process. For those looking for a Chinese tuition centre in Singapore, Chinese Language and Art School (Hua Yi Education) provides an effective and dynamic learning environment for your children. With a well-designed curriculum and dedicated teachers, students can maximize their full potential in reading, writing, and speaking Chinese. Give your child the support they need by signing them up at Chinese Language and Art School (Hua Yi Education) Singapore today!