Struggling with your Mandarin? You’re not alone, lah! Many Singaporeans find Chinese lessons in school incredibly boring, and it’s a common topic on Reddit. Why is it so hard for us to connect with our mother tongue? Let’s dive into what our fellow Singaporeans are saying about this.
Makan Kakis’ Key Takeaways (Reddit Insights)
- Boring Syllabus & Outdated Teaching: Many Redditors feel the focus on moral education and memorizing 成语 (chengyu) doesn’t resonate. They crave practical, conversational Chinese. One user said, “It’s either memorization… or it’s some crackhead moral lesson we didn’t ask for.”
- Lack of Real-World Application: Singaporeans often don’t use Chinese much outside of school or family, making it feel irrelevant. As one person put it, “Apart from communicating with the elderly folks… how many times do you use Chinese in a day?”
- Teacher Issues: Some users highlight that imported teachers from China, who may not speak English, make lessons difficult and unengaging. A Redditor shared, “…most chinese teachers came from china and their lesson is just so boring…” while another mentioned a Malaysian teacher who made the class more engaging.
- Exam-Focused Learning: The emphasis on exams leads to rote memorization rather than genuine language acquisition. A user pointed out that students are just “happy to get c6…” because it’s not compulsory for L1R5.
- Lost Interest: Many shared that negative experiences in school, including harsh teachers, killed their interest in Chinese. One said, “My experiences with chinese teachers in public school has really fucked up any interest i had in the language.”
SG Context: The Latest Updates & What It Means For You
The debate over how Chinese is taught in Singapore isn’t new, but it’s become more pressing as we see a greater need for bilingualism. Many Singaporeans, especially those who grew up speaking English, struggle to maintain their proficiency in their mother tongue. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been trying to address this, but the Reddit threads show that many feel the changes aren’t impactful enough. The recent focus on more ‘practical’ conversational Chinese may be a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to spark genuine interest.
Real Talk from the Ground: Singaporean Experiences on Reddit
Many users shared their personal stories, highlighting different pain points:
I hated Chinese until I could see it as a language and not another fucking exam but my Chinese has already deteriorated back to beginner level.
ScarRedScarlet
Turns out a lot of subjects in sg are like that’s like relearning why exercise can be fun imo
Kagenlim
My Chinese teacher in sec 2 was from Guangdong Province, her lessons if you could understand mandarin enough actually quite entertaining one, just that those that can barely understand anything just give up trying to pay attention and sleep.
myeovasari
Some users also shared how they’re trying to reconnect with the language:
Read web novel, watch cdrama with Chinese subtitles… My reading speed from reading web novel has significantly improved as well.
aoikanou
It’s clear that many Singaporeans want to improve their Mandarin, but the current methods aren’t working for everyone. There’s a longing for a more engaging and relevant approach.
Chiong Ah! Your Practical Action Plan for Singaporeans
So, what can you do about it? Here’s a practical action plan:
- Find Your Passion: Don’t focus on textbooks alone. Explore Chinese dramas, music, or online content that you enjoy. As one Redditor said, “Obviously a language is more appealing to learn if you use it for smth you’re interested in.”
- Practical Application: Start using Chinese in everyday situations, even if it’s just ordering your caifan or chatting with your grandparents.
- Connect with Others: Find online communities or language exchange partners to practice speaking.
- Reframe Your Mindset: Language learning is a journey, not just a grade. It’s about connecting with culture and people, not just memorizing 成语.
- Explore Chinese Literature: Consider exploring Chinese literature as suggested by a Redditor, who said it “left me completely blown away”.
- Support Innovative Learning: Look for resources and teachers that adopt a more engaging and modern approach. Check out resources like @flipforjoy on Instagram.
Don’t let past negative experiences hold you back. It’s never too late to reconnect with your mother tongue. Start small, stay consistent, and remember, you’re not alone in this journey!
Source: You aren’t bad at Chinese, you just refuse to engage in it