Why Is My Child Scoring Well in English but Struggling in Chinese?
- Ms.Lin
- Nov 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 19
Understand the English–Chinese Gap and How to Help Your Child Succeed in PSLE Chinese
Introduction: A Common Concern Among Parents
Is your child scoring well in English but struggling in Chinese? You’re not alone — this is one of the most common challenges faced by primary school students preparing for PSLE Chinese in Singapore.
Despite being in the same education system, many children perform significantly better in English than in Chinese. In this article, we’ll help you:
Understand why your child is struggling in Chinese
Learn how English and Chinese differ in structure and learning style
Discover practical home strategies to support Chinese learning
Know when to consider Chinese tuition or extra support
Common Reasons for the English–Chinese Learning Gap
Let’s start with empathy — this performance gap isn’t a sign that your child is lazy or “not good at Chinese.” It’s a result of environmental, structural, and psychological factors.
1. English Is the Dominant Language at Home
Most Singaporean families communicate mainly in English. Children consume English media, talk to friends in English, and read English books.
耳濡目染— Children are shaped by what they hear and see every day.
This means Chinese often gets confined to a “school-only subject” with little daily use.
2. Earlier and Richer Exposure to English
From preschool onward, children are surrounded by:
English cartoons and apps
English-speaking teachers and caretakers
A culture where English is seen as the main language
Chinese, in contrast, is introduced later — and often through rote-learning worksheets or test drills.
3. Low Motivation or Confidence in Chinese
Many children:
Feel Chinese is harder and “less useful”
Fear of being laughed at for poor pronunciation
Struggle with reading and writing due to unfamiliar characters
Without emotional connection or early success, it’s easy to lose motivation.
How English and Chinese Learning Differ
To help your child, it's important to understand how Chinese is fundamentally different from English — not just in words, but in how it's learned and processed.
Language Element | English | Chinese |
Alphabet | 26 letters | Thousands of unique characters |
Word Formation | Phonetic and predictable | Logographic and memorisation-heavy |
Grammar | Tenses and auxiliaries | No tenses, relies on word order |
Reading | Can be decoded using phonics | Requires character recognition and context |
Writing | Spelling-focused | Stroke order and form are critical |
Oral Expression | Flexible and informal | Requires structured thought, correct tones |
In short: Chinese is not just “another language.” It’s a different way of thinking, speaking, and writing.
Home Strategies to Support Chinese Learning
You don’t have to be fluent in Chinese to support your child effectively. Here are simple, proven strategies to build confidence and improve results:
1. Create a Chinese Listening Environment
Expose your child to Chinese audio in fun, low-pressure ways:
Chinese cartoons
Audio story apps
Chinese nursery rhymes and pop songs
This improves 语感 (language rhythm) passively over time.
2. Make Chinese Reading Enjoyable
Start with:
Comics
Graded readers
Bilingual picture books
Let your child choose books that interest them. Reading in Chinese doesn’t have to be boring!
3. Daily Oral Practice Through Simple Conversations
Use daily routines as oral practice moments:
“你今天在学校吃了什么？”
“你觉得这个游戏好玩吗？”
“我们一起去买东西，好不好？”
润物细无声— Gentle exposure works better than pressure.
4. Help with Composition in Realistic Ways
If your child struggles with Chinese composition:
Help them brainstorm real experiences
Teach sentence starters like “我记得有一次……”
Encourage the use of common idioms and transitions
Writing becomes easier when it feels personal and relatable.
When to Consider Chinese Tuition for Primary School
Despite consistent exposure, some students may still:
Score below AL4
Feel anxious about Chinese oral or writing
Show resistance or avoidance towards Chinese tasks
That’s when targeted support can make a meaningful difference.
Look for a Chinese tuition programme that:
Builds confidence through guided oral and writing tasks
Uses MOE-aligned methods and scaffolding
Helps students understand and enjoy the language
对症下药 — Apply the right solution to the right problem.
Final Thoughts: Your Child Can Improve in Chinese
The gap between English and Chinese performance is not permanent — and not a reflection of intelligence.
With steady support and the right learning strategies, your child can develop:
Confidence in oral expression
Stronger vocabulary and sentence structure
A healthier attitude towards Chinese learning
冰冻三尺，非一日之寒；滴水穿石，非一日之功。Even a deep freeze takes time — and so does progress. But with patience, every child can improve.
Ready for Personalised Help?
We offer small-group Chinese enrichment and PSLE prep classes that:
Build oral and writing confidence
Use clear, structured models
Make Chinese feel engaging and achievable for every child
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is my child struggling in Chinese but doing well in English?
A: Chinese requires visual memory of characters, proper tones, and formal sentence structures. Most children in Singapore are more exposed to English, making Chinese feel unfamiliar and more difficult.
Q: How can I improve my child’s Chinese language at home?
A: Use daily routines to expose your child to Chinese naturally. Play Chinese audio, read comics or short books, and talk in simple Chinese phrases. Start small and make it consistent.
Q: When should I consider Chinese tuition for my child?
A: If your child consistently avoids Chinese, scores below AL4, or lacks confidence in oral/writing, it’s worth seeking targeted help to prevent long-term gaps before PSLE.
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