Chinese Programme

Introduction To Chinese Programme
华文课程简介

The DAS Chinese Programme is an intervention-based programme for students with dyslexia, Specific Learning Difficulties and struggling learners who have persistent difficulties with learning Chinese. The programme supports learners from 7 to 17 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.

DAS华文课程是专为患有读写障碍、特殊学习困难和在学习华文方面遇到持续困难的学生而设计的干预性课程。该课程通过教授学生学习语言的技能和策略，支持7至17岁的学习者独立学习华文。我们的课程都具备研究基础，并将持续进行研究和评估，以确保课程符合学生的需求。

“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:

“我的孩子讨厌学文华！”这是许多家长共有的感受，不仅仅是那些患有读写障碍的家长！我们理解这并不是一项容易的事情，因为您的孩子可能在学习华文时面临以下一项或多项困难：

Confusion with similar-looking characters （相似字形的混淆）爱 vs 受
Characters that sound alike （发音相似的字）
Characters that are related in meaning （字义相近的字）

The Chinese programme focuses on the following aspects to help increase efficiency in learning and interest in the Chinese language:
华文课程专注于以下几个方面，以提高学习效率和对中文语言的兴趣：

Common vocabulary and sentence structure to enhance learner’s expressiveness in Chinese.
常用词汇和句式结构，以增强学生华语的表达能力。
Word recognition strategies instruction to enhance the learner’s ability to recognise Chinese characters.
识字策略教学，以提高学生辨识华文字符的能力。
Morphological awareness to expand learner’s vocabulary network.
形态意识，扩展学生的词汇网络。
Reading comprehension and writing strategies instruction for the learner to gain competency in higher-order literacy skills.
阅读理解和写作策略教学，使学生在高阶读写技能上具备竞争力。

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”

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 Programme Type
课程类型

The DAS Chinese Programme is open to students who encounter difficulties in their learning journey, whether they have a formal diagnosis or not. This approach recognizes that learning difficulties may not always fit neatly into a specific diagnosis but still require tailored support.

Email us at [email protected] and we can advise you further!

DAS华文课程向所有在学习华文过程中遇到困难的学生开放，无论他们是否有正式的关于读写障碍的诊断。我们认为学习困难并不一定能够清晰地体现在特定的诊断中，需要量身定制以获得最大的教育支持。

请通过电邮联系我们：[email protected]，我们将为您提供进一步的建议！

Primary Level 小学

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

Class size 班级人数：5

2-hour programme 小学两小时课程

Suitable for 适合于: Primary 4 to 6 Students 小四至小六的学生

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

Class size 班级人数：6

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

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。根据您孩子的能力，我们在课堂可能教授以下的板块：

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

Secondary 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

Class size 班级人数：8

Teaching content 教学内容

Language Skills and Vocabulary covered in the MOE curriculum 涵盖主流学校课程语言点和词汇
In-class dialogues on current affairs “小课室，大世界” 课堂讨论，聚焦热点时事
Reading different text-types 接触不同文体阅读材料
Critical thinking 培养批判性思维
Higher literacy skills such as reading comprehension and writing 阅读理解及写作等高阶读写技能

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

Term 1 and 2 (recommended for students taking O Level Chinese) 第一和第二学期(推荐考O水准华文的学生

Term 1 to 3 (recommended for students taking N Level Chinese) 第一到第三学期 (推荐考N水准华文的学生)

Class size 班级人数：8

Teaching content 教学内容:

Our programme aims to help students to build up on their higher order literacy skills targeted at reading comprehension and writing tasks. Topics discussed and vocabulary introduced will be in relevance to the national exams.

学生们将会学到有关阅读理解及写作等高阶读写技巧，以应付会考要求。课堂所讨论的课题和词语也都与会考相关。

Who We Are
我们的团队

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
介绍华文组

LOO CHIEN LING
Manager, Chinese Programme
Senior Educational Therapist & RETA Associate Member Plus
Parkway Parade and
Bishan Learning Centre

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。

Lui Hai Feng

Sengkang
Learning Centre

Ong Yun Mei

Bishan
Leaning Centre

Yue Lilian

Bishan
Leaning Centre

Kate Ong

Bishan
Learning Centre

Sandy Chia

Jurong Point
Learning Centre

Sophie Gao

Jurong Point and
Bishan Learning Centre

Zoe Kee Zhang

Jurong Point
Learning Centre

Jenny Liu

Serangoon and
Bishan Learning Centre

Hu Ying

Sengkang
Learning Centre

Lim Ching Ching

Sengkang
Learning Centre

Tong Yuet Yi

Parkway Parade
Learning Centre

Selina Huang

Parkway Parade
Learning Centre

Su Chun Ying

Tampines
Learning Centre

Catherine Ni

Serangoon
Learning Centre

Wang Zhaoyu

Henderson
Learning Centre

Violet Hu

Henderson
Learning Centre

Testimonials
感谢信

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：

“I feel that I can better understand the concepts taught at DAS and I find the word recognition stragtegies taught to be useful to help me recall the characters. ”
我觉得我能更好地理解DAS所教授的内容，而且我发现所教授的词汇识别策略对帮助我记忆字词很有用。

Secondary 3 student from Bishan (2022) 碧山中心的一位中三学生

“Chinese subject focus more about building interest in the language, then followed by individual words before moving on to forming sentences and lastly paragraphs. The beauty of DAS is that the classes are smaller and the students are grouped according to their ability rather than level of studies in schools. It allows the teachers to be able to teach more effectively, targeting at areas of weaknesses.It directly builds a student’s confidence so that they won’t feel left out and will be more motivated to continue learning.”
到目前为止，华文课程更注重培养学生对语言的兴趣，然后逐步学习个别词汇，再进入构建句子，最后是段落的阶段。DAS的优势在于班级规模较小，学生根据他们的能力而不是学校的学习水平进行分组。这使得教师能够更有效地进行教学，针对学生的弱点进行有针对性的教学。这直接增强了学生的信心，使他们不会感到被忽视，并更有动力继续学习。

Parent of Primary 5 student from Parkway Parade (2022) 百汇中心的一位小五学生家长

“The lessons have so far been encouraging to her. Chinese lessons have benefited my child from not speaking mandarin to make the effort to speak basic chinese and words used.”
到目前为止，她对课程感到鼓舞。华文课程让我的孩子从不说普通话到努力说一些基础的华文词汇，让我的孩子受益匪浅。

Parent of Secondary 1 student from Seng Kang (2023) 盛港中心的一位中一学生家长

“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 and Publications
媒体和出版物

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

Resources
资源

Chinese Semantic Radical Card Deck

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Interested in our Chinese Semantic Radical Card Deck to help your child in word recognition? The Chinese Semantic Radical Card Deck is developed by DAS Academy in collaboration with the DAS Chinese curriculum team.

对我们的中文语义部首卡牌套装感兴趣，以帮助您的孩子识别汉字吗？这套中文语义部首卡牌套装是由DAS学院与DAS中文课程团队合作开发的。

To purchase, click here.

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。

Frequently Asked Questions
常见问题

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?

Chinese Primary 1-hour programme: Maximum 5 students
Chinese Primary 2-hour programme: Maximum 6 students
Chinese Secondary Programme: Maximum of 8 students

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 DAS Chinese Programme is open to students who encounter difficulties in their learning journey, whether they have a formal diagnosis or not.

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, Henderson, Tampines, Rex House, Choa Chua 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？

小学一小时课程: 最多5名学生
小学两小时课程: 最多6名学生
中学课程: 最多8名学生