CHINESE LANGUAGE

CHINESE LANGUAGE

4.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the rationale for cutting down the Chinese syllabi while there is a growing interest to interact with China, as Singaporeans with poor vocabulary can never understand Chinese well nor can they express themselves adequately; and (b) how it can be ensured that the Chinese language standard is maintained with the reduction of the syllabi.

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: The recent reduction in the number of passages in Chinese Language (CL) textbooks does not represent a cut in the CL curriculum. There is no change in the language skills and learning outcomes that are expected in the CL curriculum for 2005. These outcomes are defined in terms of students' ability to use the language fluently and confidently, not by the number of passages or characters that a student has learnt.

The reduction in texts will free up time and space for teachers to conduct activities pegged to the needs and abilities of their students, and to consolidate their language skills. Teachers will have greater flexibility to engage their students in applying and practising their language skills, so as to develop greater fluency and confidence in using the language.

The recent changes are part of the transitional steps being taken before the full implementation of the recommendations of the Chinese Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee (CLCPRC), which were contained in the White Paper that was debated and endorsed by Parliament in November 2004. The Government had during the debate set out fully its reasons for supporting the fundamental changes in CL teaching and learning, aimed at ensuring that it is an enjoyable, living language for all our students.