Chinese Language

The Chinese Department hopes to develop pupils’ interest in the language by making learning an enjoyable experience that they will continue to use it in their day-to-day living. As such, with the aim of developing our students to become effective and competent language learners, department programmes are designed to steer pupils progressively towards becoming Confident Speakers, Avid Readers, Proficient Writers and Culture Inheritor.

The department focuses on the students’ acquisition and development of these main skills of language learning, namely, Reading & Listening, Speaking & Writing and Viewing & Representing.

Developing pupils into Confident Speakers

Lower Primary Drama & Crosstalk Programme
Chinese Drama Programme and Chinese Crosstalk Programme aim to build students’ confidence via a range of communicative activities while developing oral skills, nurturing imagination and resourcefulness. Selected pupils who show proficiency in spoken Chinese are trained under professionals to learn oratorical skills. A drama performance is normally showcased in the following year Chinese New Year concert to provide students a platform to exhibit their talent.

P3 Chinese Theatrical Appreciation Programme (Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme)
An initiative by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), the Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES) (“文化随意门”计划) aims to expose school pupils to Chinese language-related cultural performances by local and foreign performing arts groups. Students will also learn about the importance of speaking confidently with clear diction, like the theatre actors.

Modular Oral Packages (P1-P6)
Unique oral packages for the six levels were developed to progressively teach pupils oracy skills, from reading aloud to conversational skills.

Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) Programme The purpose of Conversational Chinese and Malay Programme is to strengthen bonds among students of different races and at the same time helping pupils acquire the languages that would enable them to operate comfortably in the region. We hope that through this programme, we will enable students to have some grounding of the language so that they could more easily pick up the language in their adult life.

Developing pupils into Avid Readers

YZ CL Reading Programme
To arouse pupils’ interest in reading, varied and interesting titles are prepared for students of all levels within the school. These books or articles further complement and add on to what the school library already offers. Through the variety of titles available, students are exposed to a myriad of text-types and writing styles. Students are encouraged to write short synopses and complete interesting post-reading activities.

Uninterrupted Silent Reading (P1-P6)
Silent Reading is a pre-assembly reading programme where students read silently before the commencement of the daily Flag Raising Ceremony. Mother Tongue story books are read on Thursdays and Fridays. Through Silent Reading, majority of students are ensured a daily dose of reading of at least 5-15 minutes.

Developing pupils into Proficient Writers

Publication of 《星海》 – A compilation of articles written by pupils
The aim of our ‘Read and Enjoy’ books is to create a platform for our pupils to develop reading and writing skills that are vital life skills for our pupils.

Modular Writing Packages (P3-P6)
To train pupils in their writing, unique and comprehensive writing packages for the different levels, targeting at improving students’ writing and text comprehension skills were developed and refined over the years for the various levels. The writing packages includes lessons ranging from plot development and characterization to writing conventions.

Developing pupils into Culture Inheritor

Mother Tongue Fortnight
In support of our school’s vision and mission to promote holistic education amongst our pupils, the Mother Tongue Fortnight Programme provide platforms for pupils to actively learn Mother Tongue Languages, cultures and traditions to appreciate their roots. Pupils will not only learn about the origin and customs tied to the various traditional Chinese festivals, but also learn about various Chinese Art forms and culture.

P3 Cultural Camp
In order to further expose our pupils to Chinese Culture, the Chinese Department organized a Chinese Culture Day Camp for Primary 3 pupils annually. Students over the years have been exposed to array of Chinese Cultural Art forms, such as Chinese Opera, Chinese ocarina or taodi 陶笛, Diabolo and the traditional food from the different dialect groups. This Language and Cultural Camp provides an immersive environment for students to learn and use Chinese Language in a more in-depth manner, and to appreciate their culture and roots through hands-on activities.