Understanding The PSLE Chinese Oral
The PSLE Chinese Oral examination is often seen as one of the most challenging exams students face. Not only does it test the student’s ability to read and identify a theme within a few minutes, the student must also be able to think on his feet and express his thoughts and opinions to the examiners in Chinese— certainly quite a feat for twelve-year-olds!
However, with proper preparation and practice, it is manageable. In fact, it is even possible to ace the examination. Here is a Chinese oral exam guide to help break down the assessment components to help your child prepare for PSLE Chinese.
Components of PSLE Chinese Oral Assessment
In the PSLE Chinese Oral Assessment, students encounter two distinct sections the Reading Passage (朗读短文) and the Video Conversation/e-Oral (看录像会话). Before the exam, students are offered 10 minutes for preparation to read through the passage and watch the short 1-minute video at a preparation station. Within the 10 minutes preparation time, students may choose to replay, pause or stop the video for their understanding. Do note that both the passage as well as the video will be shown on a laptop screen, which was implemented in 2017.
Reading Passage (朗读短文) - 20 Marks
After the 10-minute preparation phase, students will then be required to proceed to the examination room to first read the Chinese passage to the examiner, before conversing with the examiner on the contents of the video. The section is scored based on the fluency of the student, as well as the accuracy in terms of vocabulary, which consists of Chinese characters used in the usual 欢乐伙伴 Singapore primary school textbooks.
Video Conversation/e-Oral (看录像会话) - 30 Marks
Following this, the examiners will then proceed to the video conversation section, and the student will then have another chance to watch the video again. the examiner will then proceed to pose three guiding questions related to the video's theme covering aspects like:
The video's content
Student's reflections on the theme
Opportunities to relate the theme to broader societal contexts.
Throughout both sections, candidates are evaluated on their delivery, content comprehension, and language proficiency. To help your child excel in the PSLE Chinese Oral exam, it's essential for them to read the passage fluently, articulate clear descriptions of the video content, and engage confidently in the ensuing conversations.
Grading Criteria of PSLE Chinese Oral Assessment
According to SEAB, PSLE Chinese Oral component makes up 25% of the whole PSLE Chinese examination, making up a total of 50 marks. Out of this 50 marks, 20 marks goes to the Reading passage section, whereas a larger 30 out of 50 marks goes to the Video Conversation section.
To score high marks for the Reading Passage Section, your child should aim to demonstrate fluent reading, with clear pronunciation, correct intonation and good expression. This would mean that there should also be little to no errors or hesitation while reading the content, which boils down to your child’s mastery of the vocabulary learnt in class!
In terms of the Video conversation section, your child should also be able to engage in a confident and articulate conversation with the examiners to lead the dialogue, with comments that are insightful.
In this article, we have covered what the PSLE Chinese Oral is about, its various components, grading as well as what to expect during the exam.
Stay tuned for future series and articles on tips to prepare for PSLE Chinese Oral, frameworks and question types and more useful information!
As parents, your support and encouragement play a vital role in your children's success in the PSLE Chinese Oral Assessment. Remember, your positive involvement can greatly impact their confidence and performance. Keep fostering a nurturing environment that values Mandarin learning, and actively engage with your children in language-related activities. By doing so, you not only help them excel in their immediate academic endeavors but also pave the way for long-term benefits!
For more information on similar tips to prepare for PSLE Chinese, read more here!
For our avid blog readers, simply visit our page, sign up for a free trial and receive additional 2 free lessons after purchasing a package with us! Find Out More!
For more information on our LingoAce programmes and the latest promotions, contact us for a free trial class now! We offer a variety of programs and services to help students of all levels to improve their Chinese language skills.
