[EDLING:654] Innovative Ways to Teach Chinese Language

[Francis M. Hult]

Channel News Asia

Teachers using more innovative ways to teach Chinese language

By Lee Siew Li, Channel NewsAsia

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/132064/1/.html

SINGAPORE : Since the reduction of reading passages in Chinese Language
textbooks, students are enjoying the results.

The change, made recently, has allowed Chinese language teachers to make full
use of the lightened curriculum load to bring more innovative ways of teaching
into the classroom

They are using more interactive methods to liven up their classes and spark
interest in the language.

Using popular songs, one teacher in Chong Qing Secondary School is sharing the
finer points of the Chinese language.

Before, she might have had to skip sessions in order to fulfill her curriculum
requirements.

But now that the Secondary 4 curriculum has been reduced by 27 percent, Miss
Tay Hui Ching is planning to have more of these lively activities.

Ms Tay said: "What parents have to realise is that learning Chinese well is
not simply about knowing words, or memorising lessons. I hope to use more of
this free time to boost the students' abilities."

Chen Zhiyin, Student at Ching Qing Secondary School, said: "Our stress levels
have gone down, and there is more time to gain a deeper understanding of the
lesson and even more time to read."

Students from primary 1 to 5 have also seen a 10 to 15 percent reduction in
their syllabus.

For primary 6 students, there is a 10 percent reduction of less frequently
used words that they have to learn.

Teachers said this allowed them to focus more on teaching the language in a
practical everyday context.

And students say their workload has decreased and they find lessons more
interesting.

Caleb Lim, Student at West View Primary School, said: "We hope we can act
more, have small group discussions and express our opinions more."

Annies Tan, Student at West View Primary School, said: "Sometimes our teacher
can take us for excursions to learn Chinese, and we can go to more
inspirational places to learn."

The Education Ministry says depending on the students' needs, teachers can
still use some of the cut passages for enrichment or supplementary lessons. -
CNA