15 Dec 2005

Graduated changes to CL curriculum; Support available for CL teachers

1. We wish to thank Jeremy Lim for his views on the new Chinese Language (CL) curriculum (“The Chinese Puzzle”, 6 Dec).
2. The Chinese Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee (CLCPRC) in 2004 had recommended designing a CL curriculum to enthuse students so that they would develop an abiding interest in the language and culture well after school. In line with the recommendations, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is revising the CL curriculum and moving the examination formats to those which assess students’ ability to use CL in their daily context, rather than mechanical memorisation of characters. The new CL examination will be introduced in 2010. To allow as many students as possible to benefit from this approach, interim examination formats for PSLE and ‘O’ Level CL and Higher Chinese Language will be implemented in 2006. These interim examination formats will serve as a ‘bridge’ to the 2010 examination format.
3. Students should not be unduly worried about the interim examination formats as they are based on the existing CL curriculum. MOE and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board will ensure the overall standard of the examinations remains the same with the interim changes. New vocabulary from the cut passages in the Sec CL textbooks will not be tested. Testing of vocabulary will be made in more meaningful contexts where students can better relate to their daily lives. As such, writing and matching the correct characters will be reduced to lessen the burden of mechanical memorisation. To encourage students to use CL in context, materials related to the daily lives of students will be chosen for the comprehension passages in the examinations. To align with the CLCPRC’s recommendations for our students to be confident speakers and independent readers after they leave school, the examinations will also place greater emphasis on listening and speaking skills.
4. MOE understands that parents and students would like to obtain next year’s textbooks as early as possible. We have worked with the publishers to ensure that the new textbooks would be available by the end of 2005. This is consistent with our usual practice whereby textbooks are sold at the end of the year. The Sec 4 CL textbook is already available in school bookshops.
5. To help teachers prepare for the interim examination formats, MOE has been working closely with CL teachers since Jan this year to equip them with the necessary skills. Efforts to prepare teachers include briefings, training workshops and sharing sessions. Resources such as assessment guidelines and specimen test papers were given to all CL teachers to guide them on question setting. MOE will continue to provide further support to teachers where necessary. They can contact Mrs Lee-Sem Seow Wei at 68796710 for assistance if required.
6. With the support of students, parents and teachers, we hope that students will be able to enjoy the learning of CL and be able to use the language confidently and effectively.

Ho Peng (Ms)
Director, Curriculum Planning & Development