Chinese Programme

CHINESE PROGRAMME

“My child hates Chinese!” is a sentiment shared by many parents, not just those with dyslexia! We understand that it is not an easy task as your child probably faces one if not many of the following difficulties when learning Chinese:

Confusion with similar-looking characters 爱 vs 受
Characters that sound alike
Characters that are related in meaning

The Chinese programme focuses on the following aspects to help increase efficiency in learning and interest in the Chinese language:

Common vocabulary and sentence structure to enhance learner’s expressiveness in Chinese
Word recognition strategies instruction to enhance the learner’s ability to recognise Chinese characters.
Morphological awareness to expand learner’s vocabulary network
Reading comprehension and writing strategies instruction for the learner to gain competency in higher-order literacy skills.

Dyslexia affects the learning of all languages. Simply put, dyslexia affects how your child processes the sounds of the language. Besides difficulties in reading and writing in the language, very often, your child’s processing skills are also affected. Learning of Chinese can also be more challenging for your child because of the way Chinese characters are written.

读写障碍影响所有语言的学习。简单来说，读写障碍影响孩子处理语音的能力。除了阅读和书写方面的困难，孩子的处理能力也受到了影响。华文字的书写方式也会使孩子在学习华文的过程中更具有挑战性。

Common difficulties 常见错误:

Limited vocabulary 词汇贫乏，识字量较同辈少
Wrong association of words 听写能力差，错误字词联系
Poor retention of learning 容易忘记已学过的字词
Poor understanding of radical positions 缺乏组字知识，不知道部件的位置，例如提手旁与手字底
Easily confused with visually, phonetically or semantically-similar characters 易混淆字形、字音相近或字义相连的汉字, 如：午/牛；因/阴；校/学
Untidiness, incorrect strokes order, out of proportion 书写时字体东歪西倒，笔顺错误，大小比例不均
Laborious writing 写字速度比同辈缓慢，抄写时容易感到疲倦或不耐烦
Adds or omits strokes 增删笔画，例如：大 vs 太、本 vs 木
Inversion 部首左右或上下倒转，例如：唱/“昌口”

PROGRAMME VISION 课程目标

A structured literacy intervention that fosters a love for learning and equips students with strategies to learn independently facilitated by parents outside of the classroom.
通过结构化的课程、策略性的教学和家长的协助，培养我们的学生成为独立的学习者，并且热爱华语。

RECOMMENDED FOR 推荐用于/课程面向

Students from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 with a diagnosis of dyslexia or Specific Learning Differences, who attend MOE school in Singapore.
课程面向就读主流学校的小一至中四的学生。学生需诊断有读写障碍或特殊学习困难。

APPLICATION PROCESS 申请过程和时间线

1. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION 提交申请

NEW TO das: The Main application form should be submitted through the das Website.
新学生家长：通过das网站填写并递交申请表

EXISTING PARENT: das Parents Portal submission
现有学生家长：通过家长账户提交申请

2. CONDUCTING PROFILING* 参加语言测试

Primary School Profiling Test: 45 minutes to 1 hour
小学语言能力测试：约45分钟至1小时

Secondary School Profiling Test: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
中学语言能力测试：约1小时至1个半小时

* Note on profiling: The profiling is for us to better understand the learning strengths and weaknesses in Chinese, it will take around 2 to 4 weeks to arrange. This is done fully in Chinese and is different from the assessment done by psychologists. Do note that this is an informal test for the purpose of class placement. No report will be given thereafter. The profiling fee for conducting the test is $53.50, inclusive of 7% GST.

3. PLACING INTO A SUITABLE CLASS^ 安排合适班级上课

Based on the child’s Language ability and or / school stream
根据学生的语言测试水平和在校源流排班

^ Note on placement: This is subject to the availability of a suitable class and your acceptance of the proposed class.
^ 排班注解：排班需考虑到是否有适合的班级与您在时间上的配合。

Specialised Educational Services (SES) is a division of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. SES programmes are tailored to fit the learning needs of students with a learning difference.

SES Programmes are NOT funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the MOE only supply a grant for the DAS Main Literacy Programme (MLP).

WHO WE ARE

The Chinese programme was started in 2013. Since then, the programme has helped more than 600 students in their learning of Chinese. We support learners with dyslexia from seven to sixteen years old in their learning of Chinese by teaching them skills and strategies to learn the language independently. Our programmes are all research-based. Research and evaluation will be conducted consistently to ensure the programme suits our students’ needs.

新加坡读写障碍协会华文辅助课程始于2013年，自创办至今已辅助超过600多位读写困难的学生。我们辅助七到十六岁的读写障碍学习者学习华文，通过技能和策略的教学，帮助学习者独立学习。我们坚持教研相长，通过持续的教学研究，确保课程的有效性，不断完善教学。

MEET THE CHINESE TEAM

LOO CHIEN LING
Manager, Chinese Programme
Senior Educational Therapist & RETA Associate Member Plus

Hi everyone, this is Chien Ling, I am the Programme Manager for the Chinese Team and a Senior Educational Therapist. We are a group of Educational Therapists who love the Chinese language and are passionate about teaching. We believe that every child will grow to love Chinese, with the right support and environment.

Our team of Educational Therapists are trained in dyslexia and the provision of Chinese intervention to our learners. Each educational therapist would have undergone at least 60 hours of training in dyslexia and Chinese literacy support and advanced literacy skills as basic training. There is also a practicum component followed by continued mentoring by seniors on the team. Most of us also have at least a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs.

We have developed a curriculum to support students with dyslexia from Primary 1 to Secondary 4. Our curriculum is carefully crafted according to Orton-Gillingham’s Principles to meet the needs of our students. We also engage the use of technologies to engage students in our lessons.

大家好。我是芊玲, 我是华文组的负责人，也是资深教育治疗师。我们是一群热爱华文的教育治疗师，并且对教育有极大的热忱。我们相信如果有正确的指导和学习环境，每一个孩子会渐渐喜欢上华文的。

我们的教育治疗团队受过读写障碍方面的培训，并且在提供华文干预课程方面也受过训练。每位教育治疗师已经过至少60小时的培训，基本培训包括读写障碍、识字和其他方面的辅助技能。另外，教育治疗师也会经过实习的阶段，并由团队中的高级教育治疗师指导。大多数的教育治疗师至少拥有特殊教育的研究生证书。

我们持续发展课程来帮助不同年龄层的学生，包括有读写障碍的小一至中四生。为了帮助学生克服学习上的困难，我们按照奥顿吉林翰的教学原则精心设计课程。我们也擅长运用科技来辅助教学。

TEACHING APPROACH 教学方法

To motivate children to learn, we will build their interest first. We set up a safe and friendly learning environment, to encourage students to use the language as much as they can. To make Chinese more interesting and useful, our lesson plans are full of activities and games, we also choose thematic-based topics which are closer to their daily life.

为了鼓励孩子学习，我们必须先引起学生学习的兴趣。我们建立了安全友好的学习环境，鼓励学生多说华语。我们在课堂上也设计不同的活动和游戏进行教学，这些活动都是以主题式进行教学的，字词都是学生日常生活中会用到的字词。这样一来，学生可以学以致用。

ORTON-GILLINGHAM APPROACH AND CHINESE TEACHING 奥顿吉林翰的教学原则与华文教学

Diagnostic and Prescriptive: Before your child starts intervention with us, there is profiling for us to get to know your child better. This allows your child to be in a class that is suited for him/her. Informal tests are also done in the classroom for us to know how much your child knows or has learnt and what to teach next.

以学生的需要与能力为中心：在您的孩子加入我们之前，我们会进行一个一小时的语言能力测试，以便我们更好地了解您的孩子的学习能力，让他进入适合他的班级。课堂上也会有非正式的测试，让我们更好地掌握您的孩子的学习程度，以及之后的教学内容。

Language-based: Your child will learn language rules. These language rules help them to read and write in Chinese.

以语文的性质和结构为基础：您的孩子会学习语言系统当中的语言规则。这些语言规则可以帮助他们更好地掌握华文阅读和写作。

Cognitive: Your child is taught to think about his/her learning, understand the reasons behind them and how to use the strategies to help them develop their skills in reading, spelling and writing.

认知性：您的孩子会学习如何掌握自己的学习情况，并且理解其背后的原因，以及如何应用一些技巧来帮助自己提升阅读、听写和写作的能力。

Emotionally Sound: Learning is pegged at the level of your child’s ability with a reasonable level of challenge

注重学生的感受：学习进度会根据您的孩子的学习能力而做出相应的调整，提供适度的挑战性。

Simultaneously multisensory: We use a mix of the learning pathways: seeing, hearing, feeling and awareness of motion to help your child understand what is to be learnt with greater ease and success.

同时并用多重感官：我们运用不同的学习途径，比如：视觉、听觉、触觉和动作来帮助您的孩子更好地学习。

Structured, sequential and cumulative: Reviews help your child to better retain what they have learnt. New skills are taught in bite-sizes with easy-to-follow instructions. The teaching of higher-order language skills of reading comprehension and writing starts with simpler skills such as speaking and listening.

有结构、按部就班、循序渐进的方式: 复习活动能帮助您的孩子更好地存储已学过的知识。新技能的教学会以小板块的形式，以及简单易懂的指示语来进行。教学也会先从更简单的技能开始，例如口语和听力技能，循序渐进地教阅读理解及写作技能。

CHINESE PROGRAMMES 课程类型

PRIMARY 1-HOUR PROGRAMME 小学一小时课程

SUITABLE FOR 适合于
Primary 1 to 6 students 小一至小六的学生

CLASS DURATION 课程时长:
1 hour per lesson; once a week 1周1次，1次1小时

LEARNING CENTRE 所在学习中心:

All learning centres 所有9所学习中心

TEACHING CONTENT 教学内容

We adopt a thematic-based approach and focus on word recognition strategies to help students over their challenges when learning Chinese characters.

我们采用主题式教学，注重识字法来帮助学生克服学习华文字的困难。

Depending on the ability of your child, we may cover the following components in the classroom:

根据您孩子的能力，我们在课堂可能教授以下的板块：

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PRIMARY 2-HOUR PROGRAMME 小学两小时课程

SUITABLE FOR 适合于
Primary 6 students who are taking the PSLE 应对离校考试的小六的学生

CLASS DURATION 课程时长:
2 hours per lesson; once a week 1周1次，1次2小时

LEARNING CENTRE 所在学习中心:
Selected Learning Centres 选定学习中心

TEACHING CONTENT 教学内容

One hour, not enough? We hear you and now we also have added examination skills to our programme to help students cope with the PSLE.

在小六两小时课程里，我们也教授备考技能，帮助学生应对小六离校考试。

• Vocabulary Building 词汇累积
• Sentence Structures and Verbal 句型和口语表达
• Expressiveness 句型和口语表达
• Oral Conversation Topics 口试会话
• Word Recognition Strategies 识字技巧
• Reading Comprehension 阅读理解
• Writing Exercises 写作活动
• Exam Preparation 备考技能

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SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAMME 中学课程

SUITABLE FOR 适合于
Secondary 1 to 3 students 中一至中三的学生

CLASS DURATION 课程时长:
2 hours per lesson; once a week 1周1次，1次2小时

LEARNING CENTRE 所在学习中心:
Selected Learning Centres 选定学习中心

TEACHING CONTENT 教学内容

• Language Skills and Vocabulary covered in the Express and Normal (Academic) curriculum
• In-class dialogues on current affairs
• Reading different text-types
• Critical thinking
• Higher literacy skills such as reading comprehension and writing

• 涵盖主流学校快捷与普通学术源流课程语言点和词汇
• “小课室，大世界” 课堂讨论，聚焦热点时事
• 接触不同文体阅读材料
• 培养批判性思维
• 阅读理解及写作等高阶读写技能

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SECONDARY 4 SHORT-TERM PROGRAMME 中四短期课程

SUITABLE FOR 适合于

Secondary 4 students taking the O Level and N level examination 应对O水准和N水准考试的中四的学生

CLASS DURATION 课程时长:
2 hours per lesson; once a week 1周1次，1次2小时 (10 WEEKS)

TEACHING CONTENT 教学内容:
DOWNLOAD FLYER

Dates:
Term 1 - Jan 2023

Ages
Secondary 4 students
中四学生

Venue & Time
Bishan Learning Centre - Sunday, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
碧山学习中心 - 星期天 2点半 - 4点半

Sengkang Learning Centre - Saturday, 3pm - 5pm

盛港学习中心 - 星期六 3点 - 5点

Jurong Point Learning Centre - Tuesday, 7pm - 9pm

裕廊坊学习中心 - 星期二 7点 - 9点

Class fee
$985.10/run
Bursary is available.
学生可申请辅助津贴.

CONTACT:

[email protected]

All our classes have a maximum class size of 5 students to provide targeted intervention. With the profiling test conducted, we ensure that students placed in each class are of similar ability.

为了提供针对性辅助，一个班里最多只会有5位学生。我们安排语文能力测试后，确保所安排在一班的学生能力相仿。

One-to-One Chinese Specialist Tutoring

DAS International has a team of specialist tutors who have extensive experience in supporting students with specific learning differences and other learning needs. Our tutors are experienced in the International as well as the Ministry of Education (MOE) systems, they have an understanding of the curriculum and the demands that today’s education systems place on your child.

Testimonials and Media Coverage
反馈和媒体报道

In our annual parent rating survey by parents, more than 80% of parents like yourself would rate that they are pleased or very pleased by the progress they see in their child. This is what they are saying:

在年度的家长反馈表格中，至少80%的受访家长表示他们对孩子上课后的进展感到满意或是非常满意。以下是家长们的反馈：

"Teacher's pedagogical approach, her dedication to guide low ability students and her ability to notice the smallest details of my child's learning."
教师的教学法, 对能力较弱的学生的奉献也善于发现学生学习的细节

Parent of Primary 4 student from Parkway Parade (2021) 百汇广场中心小二生的家长

"With the Chinese Teacher's guidance and encouragement, my child started to read up some simple articles and have some interest in watching Chinese dramas. Nowadays, she tries to converse with simple Chinese which she has feared in the past. We could see that she is very motivated to learn Chinese after taking up the Chinese program. We believe that with the constant guidance of the Chinese teachers, my child will make great progress in her Chinese language."
在华语老师的辅导和鼓励下，我的孩子开始阅读一些简单的篇章，并对观看华语电视剧产生了一些兴趣。现在，她会尝试使用简单的中文交谈，这是她以前她所不敢尝试的。我们观察到，在报读中文课程后，她学习华语的积极性高。我们相信，在中文老师的不断指导下，我的孩子会在中文方面取得更大的进步。

Parent of Secondary 3 student from Bishan (2021) 碧山中心中三生的家长

Media Coverage 媒体报道

克服障碍多认几个字（2021年2月7日）

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20210207-1122346

读写障碍协会多管齐下五年来逾500学生加强华文读写能力联合早报（2019年3月21日）

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20190321-941702

华文读写能力测试工具鉴定学生障碍方便对症下药联合早报（2018年3月10日）

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20180310-841452

读写障碍协会华文辅助课程受欢迎联合早报（2017年6月5日)

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20170605-768346

Dyslexia group looks to help more kids with Chinese The Straits Times (2 August 2016)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/dyslexia-group-looks-to-help-more-kids-with-chinese?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#link_time=1470110435

Research 研究

Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Chinese Literacy Assessment tool for School Learners in Singapore

https://www.das.org.sg/publications/204-research-journal/apjdd-vol-5-no-1-jan-2018/172-3-assessment-of-the-effectiveness-of-a-chinese-literacy-assessment-tool-for-school-learners-in-singapore.html

Chinese Language and Remediation Support for Children with Dyslexia in Singapore

https://www.das.org.sg/publications/124-research-journal/apjdd-vol-1-no-2-july-2014/68-3-chinese-language-and-remediation-support-for-children-with-dyslexia-in-singapore.html

Chinese Language Support for Dyslexic Children in Singapore

https://www.das.org.sg/publications/226-das-research/ida-conference-2014/196-chinese-language-support-for-dyslexic-children-in-singapore.html

Online Teaching 线上学习

1. Take Home Learning Package Showcase 居家学习配套展现

When students were not able to attend classes physically, we provided a Take Home Learning Package to ensure continual learning. There are also worksheets emailed to students to complete some activities. Below is a short clip from one of our packages:

当学生们无法到课堂里上实体课，我们会提供居家学习配套让学生持续学习。我们也会把活动纸电邮给学生，让她们完成一些活动。以下是其中一个配套的教学视频：

2. Online Teaching 线上教学

Our Educational Therapists have adapted quickly to the pandemic and continue to support our students online whenever there is a need. Our resources are interactive and provide visual aids for students to learn effectively.

我们的教育治疗师都做好了适应疫情的准备，在必要时持续在线上辅助学生。我们的资源具有互动性，也提供了视觉辅助来帮助学生有效学习。

Feedback from Parent of Primary 2 student from Choa Chu Kang (2021)

蔡厝港中心小二生的家长的反馈

“The teacher is very knowledgeable and is able to swiftly conduct classes effectively online without any hiccups.”

教师知识渊博，能够迅速地切换到以网上教课的形式教学。

Frequently Asked Questions (Chinese)

1. What is the aim of the Chinese Programme?

The Chinese Programme aims to help students become independent and curious learners of the Chinese language. The programme helps to increase the learner’s efficiency and interest in the Chinese language.

2. Does the Chinese Programme cover the MOE school syllabus?

The classes do not run parallel to the MOE school syllabus. However, reference is made to the word list for primary school students.

3. How are Chinese lessons at the das different from what is offered at tuition centres?

Chinese lessons at the DAS follows Orton-Gillingham principles in our delivery which has been shown to help dyslexics learn better. Ongoing research is also tied to the programme to measure the effectiveness in helping our students. The initial stages of findings have found significant improvement made for students on the programme.

4. How many students are there in a class?

There will be a maximum of five students in each class.

5. My child is exempted from Chinese in school. Can he still enrol on the programme?

Yes, a student can enrol in the programme even if he is exempted, so long as he has a diagnosis of Dyslexia and/or other Specific Learning Differences. However, priority will be given to students who are not exempted.

6. What are the criteria for joining the programme?

The Chinese Programme is for primary school and secondary school students who are diagnosed with Dyslexia and/or other Specific Learning Differences.

7. My child has dyslexia but is not a student at the DAS. Can he still enrol on the programme?

Yes. You will need to submit a valid copy of your child’s psychological report with the application form.

8. Does the Chinese Programme offer one-to-one remediation?

The programme currently does not offer one-to-one remediation under das Services. However, you may refer to our das International Specialist Tutoring to enquire more about one-to-one remediation in Chinese. See here for more information: Chinese Specialist Tutoring

9. Where are the Chinese lessons conducted?

Lessons are conducted at the following learning centres: Bishan, Serangoon, Sengkang, Jurong Point, Parkway Parade, Queenstown, Tampines, Rex House, Chua Chu Kang

10. How often are classes conducted?

Currently, our primary school programme is 1 hour per week at all centres offering Chinese. For Primary 6 students, there is an option of attending a 2-hour programme, also at all centres offering Chinese. Our Secondary school programme is 2 hours per week.

11. What is the fees for the Chinese Programme?

Please refer to this link to all about fees. Bursaries are also available to eligible students – See here for BURSARIES

12. Is there any assessment for an exemption for Chinese?

We do not offer any assessment for the exemption of Chinese.

1. DAS华文课程的目标是什么？

DAS华文项目致力于培养学生成为独立、充满好奇心的华文学习者。我们帮助学生提高华文学习的效率和兴趣。

2. DAS华文课程是否涵盖教育部的教学大纲？

DAS华文课程会参考小学课本词汇列表，但是并不完全与教育部的教学大纲并行。

3. DAS华文课程和补习中心的华文补习有什么不同之处？

DAS华文课程是基于Orton-Gillingham原则制定的，能够帮助读写障碍的学生更好的学习。我们也在不断进行调研，以测量课程在帮助学生学习华文上的效度。研究的初步结果表明，参与DAS华文课程的学生在华文学习上取得了明显进步。

4. 一个班有多少个学生？

为了保证您的孩子得到最佳的学习成果，小学课程一个班最多五名学生。