Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Is is OK to send a child from an English-speaking home to a Chinese-medium school?

My son's UPSR (Year Six) results will be released tomorrow. He says he has tried his best and I believe he has. All the pimples that popped up on his face two or three months before the exam is testimony to the pressure he was under. Just this morning I mentioned that his pimples are clearing up and he reminded me that there is no more stress. Will he get all As? No he won't. Do we regret sending him to Chinese-medium school which would result in him not scoring all As? No we don't. He may not score As in the 2 Chinese papers but he has acquired an extra language. This will stand him in good stead. Besides, he is able to communicate better with his paternal granny in Mandarin. So parents, if you are pondering whether to enrol your child in a Chinese-medium primary school (you being unable to assist your child in any way in Chinese language), let me assure you that it is OK. I remember my son floundering when he was in Year One and Two. He did not understand announcements made during assemblies or over the PA system. Sometimes he guessed right. Many times he guessed wrong. Last week he was singing a chinese song that the whole Year Six students were to sing during the school graduation day. He sang but he could not tell me the meanings of all that was contained the lyrics. But he could sing it well and he enjoyed singing it. So next year my son goes to Form One. He has survived six years in a chinese-medium school!