Blogs

Many parents worry about their child’s weak performance in Chinese composition writing. Despite weekly practices and tuition, some students still struggle with limited vocabulary, flat storylines, or repetitive sentence structures. The solution might be simpler than you think: reading Chinese storybooks, including comics and picture books. At Xuelin Learning Hub, we’ve seen firsthand how regular …

From Comics to Composition: How Reading Chinese Storybooks Builds Better Writers Read More »

As your child approaches Primary 5 or 6, you might start hearing teachers mention Higher Chinese (高级华文) as an option—especially if your child is performing well in regular Chinese tuition in Singapore or excelling in school. But is it worth the extra effort? In this article, we help you understand what Higher Chinese is, who …

Does My Child Need Higher Chinese? Long-Term Benefits Explained for Parents Read More »

One of the biggest barriers to doing well in PSLE Chinese and other primary school exams isn’t grammar or writing structure—it’s vocabulary. Students who struggle to understand key words often find comprehension, oral, and composition tasks much harder. The solution? Build a strong, thematic vocabulary foundation. At Xuelin Learning Hub, we’ve identified the most frequently …

Chinese Vocabulary Themes Every P3–P6 Student Should Know Before the Exams Read More »

For students in Singapore, taking Foundation Chinese can offer a temporary relief from the pressures of standard Chinese. But many parents start to wonder: What if my child wants to return to standard Chinese later? or Will Foundation Chinese limit my child’s future options? If your child is transitioning—or planning to transition—from Foundation to Standard …

How to Help Your Child Transition from Foundation Chinese to Standard Chinese Read More »

For many Secondary 4 students in Singapore, the O-Level Chinese composition (作文) paper can be the most intimidating component of the exam. The stakes are high—not just for achieving a strong Chinese grade, but also for qualifying for Higher Chinese exemption, bonus points, and smoother JC or polytechnic entry. But what separates an average composition …

What Makes a Top-Scoring O-Level Chinese Essay? Techniques from A+ Students Read More »

One of the quickest ways to elevate a student’s Chinese composition writing is by using well-placed idioms—also known as 成语 (chéng yǔ). In MOE-marked exams like PSLE Chinese, compositions that include relevant and expressive 成语 often stand out for their language richness and fluency. However, many students either avoid using idioms or use them incorrectly. …

Idioms (成语) Every Primary School Student Should Master for Chinese Composition Read More »

The PSLE Chinese oral exam has evolved in recent years to reflect real-world communication skills. No longer limited to just reading aloud and picture description, the new format challenges students to respond to video-based stimulus conversations that require critical thinking, clear expression, and strong Mandarin fluency. For many Primary 6 students, this shift can feel …

How to Prepare for the New PSLE Chinese Oral Format: Tips and Mistakes to Avoid Read More »

Many children in Singapore struggle with Chinese not because they lack ability, but because they lack confidence. They may say: “Chinese is too hard,” “I don’t understand,” or even avoid speaking Mandarin altogether. For parents, this can be frustrating—especially when your child is attending Chinese tuition in Singapore, and you’re doing your best to help …

Building Confidence in Chinese – A Parent’s Guide Read More »

Many parents in Singapore find that even if their child speaks Mandarin at home or performs well in Chinese composition writing, they often struggle with Chinese comprehension in school exams. This is especially common in PSLE Chinese and O-Level Chinese tuition. Why is comprehension such a hurdle? The answer lies in the complexity of the …

Why Students Struggle with Chinese Comprehension – and How to Overcome It Read More »

In the PSLE Chinese Paper 1, composition writing carries a weightage of 40 marks. It is often the section that determines whether a student achieves an AL1 or AL3. A well-written composition isn’t just grammatically correct—it must be engaging, structured, and relevant to the theme. But what exactly are MOE markers looking for in a …

What Makes a Good Chinese Composition at the PSLE Level? Read More »