Chinese is one of the lessons taught in Singapore primary schools. Most children struggle with learning Chinese because they have never used the language before or they are not fluent in it. Singapore has a large population of Chinese speakers. However, it is mostly the older generation that speaks it fluently. The rest speak English or a mix of Mandarin and English.
The foundation for learning Chinese is laid at the primary school. If a child fails to grasp the basics at this level, they are more likely to have a similar issue in secondary school. So, parents need to get it right from the get-go by getting their children extra help in the form of Chinese tuition.
When choosing Chinese tuition, here are the key features to consider.
- Age-Appropriate Chinese Curriculum
Singapore’s Ministry of Education already has a Chinese curriculum for primary school. When looking for a Chinese learning centre you should ask if their lessons are based on the MOE curriculum. There should be consistency between what the child learns in school and what the Chinese tutor teaches.
However, you should go a step further and confirm that they have an age-appropriate curriculum. For example, kids who have just transitioned to primary school struggle to move from an unstructured to a structured system. They also have a short attention span.
So, the tuition in Chinese should be interesting enough to capture the child’s attention. For example, the lessons should include Chinese music and Chinese games to keep the child entertained.
Kids in the upper primary level are preparing for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), so they are ready to handle examination pressure and more challenges in Chinese tuition.
Undoubtedly, kids are individuals, and each has their strengths and weaknesses. However, having an age-appropriate curriculum makes it easier for the Chinese tutor to determine if the child is ready to progress to complex Chinese learning or not.
- Teaching Methods
If you intend to send your child to a Chinese tuition centre, you should pay attention to the teaching methodology. A good Chinese tuition centre should use different teaching styles to accommodate the needs of every child. They should be able to trigger a child’s creativity and imagination to make learning easier.
- Proper Communication Channels
Parents invest a lot in Chinese tuition and they need to know the child’s progress. Find out how the Chinese tuition centre communicates with parents, and how often they give a report. You should also find out at what point they feel the need to inform parents of the challenges the child faces.
Sometimes a child isn’t a perfect fit for the learning centre. You may need to send them to another tuition centre but you may need to rely on the progress report you get from the Chinese tutor. If you’re not agreeable with the setup, you can request frequent reports for you to make informed decisions.
- Testimonials from Parents
Parents share similar dreams and ambitions for their children. Before sending your child to any Chinese tuition centre, find out what other parents have to say about the facility and the services offered. Their testimonials may help you decide if the tuition centre is ideal or not.
Singapore has hundreds of Chinese tuition centres for kids in primary school. Having a checklist will help you remember everything regarding the best Chinese tuition centre in Singapore for your child. When everything checks out, chances are your child will perform well in Chinese.
