Chinese Language
Teaching and Learning of Chinese Language
The Chinese Language unit continued to create opportunities for students to acquire critical thinking skills using the 3C (Context, Content, Connection) 3R (Researching, Reasoning, Reflecting) PBL model which was used to guide teachers in designing effective PBL problems for students. Process writing was implemented in 2019. The incorporation of the process writing approach with self-directed learning and collaborative writing allowed students to familiarise themselves with essay writing structures and make use of descriptive techniques in their writing. With the use of thinking routines in SLS and online mindmapping tools, teachers were able to break down the learning process and provide scaffolding for students of various learning abilities to guide them in the lesson process. In 2021, students received their own personal learning devices, which increased the effectiveness of this ICT-integrated learning process.
Higher Chinese Language
Bendemeer Secondary offers an enriching and holistic learning experience through our Higher Chinese Language (HCL) syllabus. Apart from the teaching of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, different learning experiences are introduced to students to appreciate the Chinese culture and heritage.
The Secondary One HCL students attended cultural lessons over a period of three cycles. They were first introduced to the Chinese calligraphy where they wrote couplets and proudly displayed them around the school during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Students were introduced to the history and characteristics of Chinese painting to learn to appreciate the beauty of the Chinese culture. Students also learnt the art of paper cutting. They started off by cutting basic patterns before learning to cut the Chinese characters.
Through these cultural lessons, we hope that students will be able to appreciate the Chinese culture and cultivate their interest in learning the Chinese Language
Festive Celebrations
Chinese New Year
Due to the Covid-19 situation, the Chinese New Year celebration in Bendemeer Secondary School is held online via Zoom. The Chinese New Year concert was a platform for students to showcase their talent. Concert performances include dancing, singing and martial arts. Exciting quizzes were also organized for students to learn more about the customs and traditions of the Chinese New Year. It was heartening to see students of Bendemeer Secondary School enjoying the concert and learning more about the Chinese culture.
Various level activities were also planned to cultivate students’ appreciation of the Chinese culture. The Secondary One students researched on how different countries celebrated New Year. The Secondary Two students designed Spring Festival Couplets to welcome the new year. The Secondary Three students researched on topics and designed information sheets to introduce the traditions, customs and food items related to Chinese New Year. These works of art produced by the students were displayed at the school foyer to showcase their learning.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in Bendemeer Secondary School is an annual event that students, staff, parents and alumni members look forward to every year. Activities planned by the Chinese Language teachers of the Mother Tongue Department include lantern painting, calligraphy, Chinese blow painting, tea appreciation and mooncake making. There was also a station set up for star gazing to the delight of the astronomy fans and a photo booth for all to capture these fond memories. It was heartening to see visitors of different races partaking in these cultural activities and learning more about the Chinese culture. As the skies darkened, it was a fascinating sight to see the parade square being illuminated by the lanterns being held up.
Various level activities were also planned to cultivate students’ appreciation of the Chinese culture. The Secondary 1 students created bookmarks using proverbs about the moon. The Secondary 2 students designed posters about the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Secondary 3 students researched on topics and designed information sheets to introduce the traditions, customs and food related to the Mid-Autumn festival. These works of art produced by the students were displayed at the school foyer to showcase students’ learning.
External Competitions
1. 2022 Zhang Shou Shi National Calligraphy and Painting Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools
Objective:
To promote the art of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting and cultivate student's interest in the learning of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting.
| Chinese Painting Category | |
|---|---|
| Xiang Bingbin (2R4) | Excellence Award |
| Chinese Calligraphy Category | |
|---|---|
| Huang Yizhe (2R3) | Certificate of participation |
2. “Creativity, No Boundaries!” National Children’s Story Writing Competition
Objectives:
To promote local Chinese literary writing and cultivate children’s interest in learning Chinese.
Outcomes:
| Awarded Certificate of participation | |
|---|---|
| Josh Tekani (2R1) | |
| Cui Xinran (2R4) | |
| Lee Jie Qi (2R4) | |
| Xiang Bingbin (2R4) | |
| Qiao Mai (3R1) | |
| Liu Jin (3R2) | |
| Tan Zi Lin (3R3) | |
| He Huanqi (4R1) | |
| Li Houze (4R1) | |
| Chen Yuqi (4R2) | |
| Cui Zhiying (4R2) | |
| Zheng Pui Hei (4R2) | |
| Awarded the Excellence Award | |
|---|---|
| Chen Jia Le (3R2) | |
A total of more than 1000 entries were submitted for the competition. Our student, Chen Jiale’s winning entry《猫与蒲公英》(The Cat and the Dandelion) was one of the 36 selected for the story writing competition and she was awarded the Excellence Award. The winning entries of the story writing competition were published as a series of Chinese graded readers.
Jiale attended the Award Presentation Ceremony cum Launching of the Chinese Graded Readers on 16 September 2022. (See Photos below)
3. National Crosstalk Competition
Objectives:
1. To inherit and carry forward the performing arts of cross talk.
2. To promote healthy cultural and recreational activities.
3. To increase student’s interest in the learning of Chinese and the level of appreciation for cross talk performances.
Outcome:
Two groups of Lower Sec students also took part in the 36th All Singapore Secondary School Crosstalk Competition which were held last Semester.
| Awarded Certificate of Participation | |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | 2R1 Jiang Sun Chengwei (2R1) |
| Lu Qingfu (2R1) | |
| Zhang Jingshu (2R3) | |
| Group 2 | Josh Tekani (2R1) |
| Cui Xinran (2R4) |
4. 5th Text Recital Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools
Our students took part in the above recital competition in May 2022 and they have done us proud with the following outcomes:
| Silver Award | Sing Hui Ru (1C1) |
| Xiao Ying (3R2) | |
| Tan Zi Lin (3R3) |
| Bronze Award | Koh Jing Ya (3R2) |
| Foo Zhi Xin (3R2) | |
| Teo Li Ting (3R3) |
**5. 20th National Secondary School Chinese Creative Writing Competition **in April 2022
Our students took part in the above Chinese Creative Writing Competition in April 2022
| Awarded Certificate of Participation | |
|---|---|
| Lower Secondary | Ngai Mang Wai（1C1) |
| Jiang Sun Chengwei（2R1） | |
| Huang Yizhe（2R3） | |
| Xiang Bingbin（2R4） | |
| 高年级组 | Tai Zi Yang（3R1） |
| Ge Siyu（3R2） | |
| Liu Jin（3R2） | |
| Shen Qianxiang（3R2） | |
| Lee Yu Jing（3R3） |
Learning Journey cum School Immersion Programme to Xiamen (China)
Every year, a group of Secondary 3 students would embark on a learning journey cum school immersion programme to Xiamen, China. The objectives of the trip are to extend students’ learning experiences beyond Singapore and to expose them to a different cultural environment. The trip also gives students an opportunity to broaden their perspectives and learn social and language skills in a real world context.
During the trip, students were attached to Shuangshi Middle School, where they experienced local school life in China with their buddies. New friendships and fond memories were created as they attended classes with their buddies. Students also visited places of interest such as the Tan Kah Kee Museum, Hulishan Fortress, South Putuo Temple and Nanjing Hakka Earth Building, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and historical and geographical features.
On the whole, the overseas experience has increased students’ knowledge of the world beyond Singapore and enhanced their understanding and appreciation of the rich Chinese culture and heritage.
