25 Dec 2006
A-level Chinese Language curriculum changes enhance students' appreciation and analysis of literature
- We refer to the recent discussion on the curriculum content of the A-level subjects H2 and H3 Chinese Language & Literature (CLL).
- In 2002, MOE initiated a comprehensive review of the Junior College (JC) and upper secondary level curriculum. The aim was to ensure that students learn from a broader and more diversified curriculum, and thereby expand their horizon and gain the necessary knowledge and life skills to meet the demands of the future. With the review, the pre-university Chinese Language (CL) curriculum was restructured into three main areas - H1 CL course, H2 CLL course, and H3 CLL course.
- Similar to all other subjects such as Mathematics, there should be only one CL subject at H2 level. All H2 subjects are awarded the same university admission score and designed such that they are equivalent to the standard of A-level subjects. H2 CLL is pitched appropriately between the previous CL at A-level and Higher CL (HCL) at A-level. In addition, the changes to the contents of the H2 CLL course were also made in response to the adjustment of lesson time for the whole JC course.
- Although the weighting of the classical literature component in the H2 course is not the same as the old HCL at A-level, selected poems from the Tang and Song Dynasties, and writings in classical Chinese have been retained. Hence students do not lose the opportunity to read classical literature. In addition, the reduction in curriculum content provides teachers with more teaching time for in-depth explanation and guidance in terms of appreciation and analysis of the literature. Through this, we hope that students would learn and be able to acquire the necessary critical skills to draw parallels for future application. They would also take the initiative to actively read beyond the curriculum.
- The inclusion of the martial arts novel “Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain” in the H2 CLL course is an attempt to inject new elements into the CL curriculum. Martial arts novels have plots which are exciting and interesting. Moreover students could further discover the joy in language learning through exposure to different forms of literature. With the reorganisation of syllabus content, the “Dream of Red Chambers”, which originally appeared in the previous HCL at A-level, is now placed in the H3 CLL course. This is to give students who are interested in CL the opportunity to do greater in-depth study of works in CL.
- The review of the A-level curriculum which includes CL subjects is to ensure that it stays updated and relevant and meets the needs of our students. The H3 CLL which replaces the previous Higher Chinese Special Paper provides more choices for students with strong CL proficiency and learning abilities to study CL in greater depth. In terms of assessment, H3 CLL still retains items such as creative work, and appreciation and analysis of prescribed texts and other literature work. The curriculum content of H3 CLL has five electives of which students choose one - “The Analects of Confucius”, poetry from the Tang and Song Dynasties, “The Art of War by Sun Tzu”, “Dream of Red Chambers” and “Water Margin”. These choices provide for flexibility and allow students to further widen the scope of their knowledge to meet their passion and interests.
- We would like to thank all writers for their invaluable views and suggestions.
Yue Lip Sin
Deputy Director, Languages and Literature
Curriculum Planning and Development Division
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