Being a multicultural nation, Singapore is a perfect location to learn the Chinese language. As a core subject in schools and as one of the fundamental competencies for effective interactions with people from other countries, learning Chinese has never been easier. However, with the variety of teaching methodologies available, parents and learners often face a critical decision: Should they continue immersing themselves in an environment, or should they keep on going to class like a good student? Below discusses these two methods in more detail and how they affect learning.
Immersion Classes: Learning Through Experience
Immersion classes are one in which the target language is used in the classroom and the students are encouraged to speak in that language, even during breaks. This contextualises the entire learning process making it easier and better. Most of the immersion classes tend to be project based where students are required to use practical Chinese.
Pros:
- Enhanced Communication Skills: The advantages of taking this Chinese course include enhanced communication skills and cultural understanding.
- Real World Conversations: Studying Chinese makes sense as students are taught how to have meaningful conversations in Chinese, which makes them absorb it better.
- Love for Culture: Immersion almost always involves cultural integration such as celebrations, food or tradition, which gives the student a wider sense of appreciation for Chinese culture.
- Natural Class Language: This language environment enables students to acquire vocabulary and grammar structures as if they were learning their first language, through natural exposure.
Cons:
- Coping with Fast-Paced Learning: While there are many benefits to immersion programmes, some students may struggle with the fast pace of learning in Chinese courses.
- Initial Difficulty: Students have to face a large amount of Chinese when they start, which makes everyone feel uncomfortable.
- No Writing Focus: Students are in a loud environment which makes them only understand speaking.
Traditional Classes: A Structured Approach
Many traditional Chinese classes follow a set beaten path so much of the time that the lessons are memorisation, grammar, and writing assignments. These classes are very popular in schools and tuition centres all over Singapore.
Pros:
- Participate in Conversations: One of the advantages of group classes is the opportunity to practice speaking Mandarin with peers.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Most of the Chinese language courses include all aspects of the language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening immersion, ensuring comprehensive language acquisition.
- Exam Preparations: Classes usually teach the Singapore syllabus so that students do well in standardised tests.
- Gradual Learning: Lessons progress in a systematic manner, enabling students to understand concepts at an appropriate pace for them, essential for mastering conversational Chinese.
Cons:
- Less Engaging: For some students, learning is monotonous due to rigid formats of lessons and repetitive exercises.
- Limited Real World Practice: The textbook type teaching methods may not offer any communication skills.
Building Language Proficiency with Chinese Classes Offered by Connected Learning in Singapore
Connected Learning believes that each child is unique and learns with a different approach. Aided by their support in Mandarin classes, students can excel not only in exams but also develop a sense of appreciation for the language.
Why Consider Connected Learning’s Chinese Classes
- A Holistic Learning Approach: In Connected Learning, both traditional and immersion approaches are all the necessary aspects of a course. On one hand, the Chinese language can be taught traditionally where the focus is on the mastery of grammar, writing, and vocabulary; on the other hand, the conversational and storytelling aspects, as well as the usage of the language in activities, are integral parts of language creation.
- Aligned with Singapore’s MOE Syllabus: Singapore Chinese classes are tailored to ensure maximum compliance with the Ministry of Education standards (MOE). The sequence of preparation towards the attainment of PSLE Chinese language and following secondary school Chinese language class is structured in a way that achieves academic objectives while minimising language examination pressure.
- Focus on Communication Skills: Practical speaking and listening skills are emphasised more. One of the most attractive aspects of these projects is confidence building by speaking Mandarin, which prepares the children for an interactive school or home life, enhancing their conversational Chinese skills.
- Experienced and Passionate Tutors: Our teachers are passionate, patient, and experts in their field as they are qualified and are native speakers of Mandarin, providing exceptional Mandarin classes in Singapore. They are able to execute this through their lessons as they encourage their students to ask questions and learn from them in their Chinese lessons.
What Makes Our Chinese Classes Stand Out?
- Low Student-to-Teacher Ratio : Aiming to ensure that each student has a chance to receive individualised help.
- Interactive Lessons: Our interactive lessons are designed to enhance conversational Mandarin skills through engaging activities. Combining interesting words, audio-visual illustrations, and enactment within the lesson.
- Tracking Progress: We utilise various methods to track progress in our Mandarin courses, ensuring students meet their learning goals. Quizzes and tests aimed at tracking progress and giving recommendations on how to improve as well.
- Cultural Integration: Students are encouraged to take part in the cultural side by celebrating Chinese holidays and learning why they do so, enriching their experience in Mandarin classes in Singapore.
Learn Chinese Language with Connected Learning in Singapore
At Connected Learning, we do not limit our focus just to language teaching but offer the audience an active and interesting learning process. Currently, our Chinese classes are structured in such a way that the learners are taken through all the aspects that will enable them to be culturally competent, confident, and effective communicators both in academic settings and in real-life situations.
It does not matter if your child is beginning their first steps towards learning the Chinese language or if preparing for some important tests, our programmes meet all modern requirements to develop the given language as a second one and are aimed to inspire your child to learn Chinese by staying with us. Are you prepared to get the best for your child in Chinese? You can call Connected Learning today to learn more about the programmes or to arrange a trial lesson.
