Is Higher Chinese in Primary School Right for Your Child?

Curious about Higher Chinese in Primary School? Uncover the secrets to academic excellence and prepare your child for success.

If you’re contemplating whether your child should take Higher Chinese in primary school, this article aims to provide the insights you need to make an informed decision.

Understanding Higher Chinese

Higher Chinese is the advanced version of the standard Chinese language curriculum offered in primary schools across Singapore. It involves exposure to a broader vocabulary, a focus on Chinese culture appreciation, and a more demanding curriculum that requires higher-order thinking skills in comprehensions and compositions.

Comparing Higher Chinese and Standard Chinese


Higher Chinese	Standard Chinese (Normal Chinese)
Wider range of vocab	Standard vocabulary
Focuses on culture appreciation	Not applicable (NA)
Higher-order thinking required	Different degrees of thinking skills spread over all components
Heavier workload	Standard school hours
Assessable Components – HCL	Assessable Components – CL
No oral and listening components	Oral and listening comprehension

Qualifying for Higher Chinese

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Most schools offer Higher Chinese to Primary 5 students based on their Primary 4 end-of-year exam results. Students with a Band 1 for all subjects automatically qualify, with exceptions for those with a Band 2 in one subject but show proficiency in Chinese.

Is Higher Chinese Worth It?

The decision to take Higher Chinese depends on your goals. It can increase language exposure, boost standard Chinese results, and prepare your child for secondary school. However, it’s not a significant factor in enhancing PSLE scores unless applying to a SAP school.

Who Should Take Higher Chinese?

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A child who enjoys Chinese and has good time management skills is well-suited for Higher Chinese. Interest, rather than immediate proficiency, is key. Considering the demanding workload, effective time management prevents compromising performance in other subjects.

Making the Decision

Ultimately, taking Higher Chinese in primary school offers benefits, but it’s crucial to involve your child in the decision-making process. Discuss the pros and cons and consider their opinions. Remember, the decision isn’t irreversible, providing the flexibility to drop the subject at the end of Primary 5 if needed.

In conclusion, navigating the decision to take Higher Chinese requires a thoughtful consideration of your child’s interests, goals, and ability to manage the additional workload.

Eileen Choo

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Written by

Matt Doctor

Education