Imagine yourself walking down a road with a clear picture of where you need to be and how you need to get there. Taking the right turn and following the correct directions will get you to your destination in no time. But what if you have no idea where you are and find yourself aimlessly walking down unknown pathways? You would get lost and end up in a strange place, wouldn’t you? Education is no different, and adequate preparation and planning are vital to achieving academic success. This is especially true for crucial milestones like the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). If your child is studying in a Chinese primary school in Singapore and is in need of some effective tips to excel at the exam, this might be the ideal article for them!

Tip 1: Establish Clear Goals

When it comes to the Chinese language, setting clear targets will help students gain a sense of clarity and direction. This is essential as young children can get distracted very easily, making it hard for them to focus and concentrate on their studies. Establishing clear goals will motivate and inspire them to work harder, pushing them to jump through every hurdle they face with courage and determination. While setting goals and preparing ahead of time may seem cumbersome, it will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.

PSLE Requirements

In order to have a clear goal and plan, your child needs to have a clear picture of what will be required and assessed at the PSLE exam.  Let’s walk through the basic objectives of the PSLE Chinese examination paper:

• Paper 1 will test their composition writing skills and feature an essay-type question where students will have to complete either a topic-based essay or a picture-based essay. The essay must contain at least 100 words and should be completed within 50 minutes.

• Paper 2 has two parts, one with multiple choice questions (MCQs) and the other with open-ended questions, and this paper will examine their language and comprehension skills.

• Paper 3 will assess their oral and listening skills and there are two parts to the oral component – passage reading and video-based questions. When it comes to their oral skills, they will be assessed based on their fluency, grammar, and pronunciation.

Getting high scores on the PSLE will allow students to transition seamlessly into the secondary school they wish to attend. But this is easier said than done. Young students can face many obstacles, including demotivation, stress, and even exam fear. A reliable primary school Chinese tuition class like Ruixing Active Chinese Centre will help them combat these challenges easily while making sure they achieve all their academic goals.

Tip 2: Develop a Good Study Plan

Haphazard learning and cramming pages and pages of study material overnight will take your child nowhere. A well-organised study plan that prioritises what is important will allow students to put in more time and effort to build on their language skills. This will encourage students to get acquainted with all four components of Chinese – speaking, reading, listening, and writing, helping them build a strong foundation.

Establishing a solid foundation in Chinese will set the stage for better progress and encourage them to take on more difficult concepts with ease and confidence. A good study plan will also make for a better learning experience and this will help them to carry out regular learning and practice – consistency is key to excelling at exams.

Tip 3: Set Up a Conducive Learning Environment

Different students have different learning styles. Some may prefer to learn on their own, while others may enjoy interacting with their peers and sharing their thoughts and opinions. Whatever their learning style may be, the environment they study in should be conducive to studying. Students will be more interactive and engaged if they are provided with a supportive and immersive learning space that fosters positivity. An immersive learning environment will also motivate kids to learn better and will have a profound impact on their confidence.

In need of a reliable tuition centre that instils confidence in students while creating a safe, comfortable, and immersive learning space for them? You don’t have to look too far. At Ruixing, our primary school Chinese tuition classes will expose students to the language through interactive methods like daily conversations, activities, and various educational media, ensuring they master the ins and outs of the language in no time.

Tip 4: Utilise Effective Study Tactics

Chinese is a tonal language, which means a certain pitch will be added to certain syllables when speaking. Therefore, when a particular syllable is enunciated with different pitches, the words will have a completely different meaning. Mastering such nuances of this complex language can be challenging, but do not worry. Here are some effective learning techniques to help them overcome such obstacles and enhance their proficiency:

• Practise active learning: While passive reading may have its benefits, an active learning style will help them grasp and understand difficult concepts more easily and faster as well. This approach encompasses a more proactive style of learning through discussions, problem-solving, summarising key concepts and various other methods. Incorporating effective and interactive learning tools like flashcards, visual diagrams, and mind maps will also make studying even more interesting and engaging.

• Focus on weak areas: Even the most diligent student can struggle with certain areas, and this struggle can occur with any language or subject matter. This is completely natural, but what is important is to identify these weaknesses so that more time and effort can be devoted to improving those areas.

• Break down lessons: Although an excellent command of the language is essential to ace their Chinese PSLE, overloading their brain with too much information can do them more harm than good.

Tip 5: Get Ample Rest

While any parent would want their child to be dedicated and passionate about their studies, there’s only so much a student can handle. Adding an exorbitant amount of pressure by making them study without any breaks will benefit no one. Therefore, make sure your child takes breaks while they are studying so that they can make the most of their studies while they are learning. They will also feel refreshed and revitalised to tackle new and more complex subject matter.

Tip 6: Allocate Time for Revision

There is no mystery surrounding the impact revision can have on learning. While it is understandable to be pressed for time, this step must not be ignored. Regular revision will enable students to reflect on what they have studied and will help them recall their lessons effectively. After all, what’s the point of studying the whole syllabus if they do not remember anything during their exam? So, make sure your child allocates time for revision. Many don’t realise how easy it is to forget unless they review their lessons on a regular basis.

Moreover, going through past papers and conducting mock exams will help them to become more familiar with the exam format and questions, reducing any anxiety or fear that comes when exams get closer.

Think of Life Beyond PSLE

While the significance of PSLE and its outcome cannot be denied, it is important to take some time and think about their life beyond it. Have a discussion about their aspirations and goals with them so that they realise what is required to fulfil these dreams. This will help encourage them and get them in the right direction. It will also teach them to be more responsible and will allow them to stay motivated throughout their academic journey and thereafter.

Contact Ruixing Active Chinese Centre: Singapore’s Leading Chinese Tuition Centre! 

Are you in need of an exceptional Chinese tuition centre for your child in primary school? Look no further than Ruixing Active Chinese Centre. Our Chinese courses have been meticulously curated by our language experts and comprise a range of well-planned exercises and activities to further their education. Students will also be able to access an array of essential study resources, including past papers and specially crafted sample question papers that are designed around the MOE guidelines to ensure exam success. We also conduct regular revisions and hold a number of mock exams so that they are well-prepared. So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to us and grab hold of this wonderful opportunity.