Higher Chinese in Singapore: Worth It and How to Excel

Higher Chinese (HCL) is worth pursuing if your child has strong Chinese foundations, genuine interest in the language, and can manage the additional workload — it provides 2 bonus points for secondary school admission. However, taking HCL when foundations are weak can backfire, causing stress without the intended benefits. This guide helps parents make an informed decision.

As a multilingual educator at Ancourage Academy with experience teaching Chinese at various levels, I have guided many families through this decision. The answer depends on your child's specific circumstances, not just potential bonus points.

What Is Higher Chinese?

Higher Chinese (HCL) is an advanced Mother Tongue Language option that covers the standard Chinese syllabus plus additional content, assessed through a more demanding examination. It is offered from Primary 5 onwards for students who demonstrate strong Chinese ability.

Key differences from standard Chinese:

• Curriculum depth: More advanced vocabulary, grammar, and literary texts
• Examination difficulty: Higher-order comprehension and composition requirements
• Time commitment: Additional lessons and homework
• Recognition: Listed separately on PSLE certificate

According to MOE guidelines, HCL aims to develop students who can use Chinese at a higher level of proficiency for communication and cultural appreciation.

The 2 Bonus Points Benefit

Students who score AL 1-4 for Higher Chinese at PSLE receive 2 bonus points that are deducted from their total AL score for secondary school posting. This can make a significant difference for competitive schools.

How the bonus works:

• Eligibility: Score AL 1, 2, 3, or 4 for HCL at PSLE
• Bonus: 2 points deducted from total PSLE AL score
• Example: A student with AL 8 and HCL AL 3 is treated as AL 6 for posting
• Limitation: Only applies to secondary school posting, not other purposes

However, if a student scores AL 5-8 for HCL, they receive no bonus. This is why taking HCL with weak foundations can be counterproductive.

Who Should Take Higher Chinese?

Higher Chinese suits students who are already strong in standard Chinese, enjoy the language, and can handle additional academic demands without excessive stress. It is not suitable for everyone.

Good candidates for HCL:

• Consistently score A or A* in standard Chinese assessments
• Read Chinese books voluntarily for enjoyment
• Comfortable speaking Chinese at home
• Genuinely interested in Chinese culture and literature
• Can manage current workload with time to spare
• Recommended by school Chinese teacher

Consider carefully if your child:

• Struggles with standard Chinese
• Already overwhelmed with current subjects
• Only wants HCL for bonus points without genuine interest
• Comes from an English-dominant home environment

When Higher Chinese Backfires

Taking HCL with inadequate preparation often results in lower grades than standard Chinese would have achieved, plus increased stress and reduced time for other subjects.

Common scenarios where HCL backfires:

• Grade drop: Child would score AL 2 in standard Chinese but scores AL 5 in HCL — no bonus gained, worse result
• Burnout: Extra HCL workload causes exhaustion affecting all subjects
• Confidence loss: Struggling in HCL damages the child's relationship with Chinese
• Opportunity cost: Time spent on HCL could strengthen other weak subjects

One family I worked with pushed their child into HCL despite borderline readiness. The child ended up scoring AL 6 for HCL and losing confidence in Chinese entirely. A realistic assessment beforehand would have suggested standard Chinese was the better choice.

How to Prepare for Higher Chinese

Successful HCL preparation begins years before Primary 5, building strong foundations through consistent exposure, reading, and practice.

1. Build vocabulary early: Extensive reading in Chinese from young age
2. Speak Chinese at home: Daily conversational practice
3. Develop writing skills: Regular composition practice with feedback
4. Study 成语 (idioms): Essential for HCL comprehension and writing
5. Read Chinese literature: Exposure to classical and modern texts
6. Practice comprehension: Higher-order question types require inference and analysis

At Ancourage Academy, our P5 Chinese programme includes HCL preparation tracks for students pursuing the advanced option.

Key Differences in HCL Examination

The HCL examination tests higher-order language skills including literary appreciation, inferential comprehension, and sophisticated composition techniques.

Strategies for HCL Success

Excelling in HCL requires consistent daily effort, extensive reading, and mastery of advanced language structures — not just exam drilling.

• Read daily in Chinese: Newspapers, novels, magazines — 20-30 minutes minimum
• Keep a vocabulary journal: Record and review new words and 成语
• Practice writing weekly: Composition with teacher feedback
• Watch Chinese content: News, documentaries, dramas with subtitles
• Join Chinese enrichment: Speech and drama, cultural programmes
• Use Chinese conversationally: Speak Chinese at home and with friends

What If My Child Is Borderline?

For borderline cases, consider a trial period in early P5 before committing fully, and have an honest conversation with your child about expectations and effort required.

Questions to discuss:

• Is your child willing to put in extra hours for Chinese?
• What does the school Chinese teacher recommend?
• How are other subjects performing — is there capacity for more?
• Does your child want HCL, or is it parent-driven?

Some schools allow students to switch from HCL to standard Chinese if they struggle. Understand your school's policy and timeline for such decisions.

Common Questions About Higher Chinese

Can my child switch from HCL to standard Chinese mid-year?

School policies vary. Most schools allow switching within P5 if the student struggles, but switching becomes harder closer to PSLE. Check with your school early if you are concerned about your child's progress in HCL.

Is HCL necessary for IP schools or Raffles/Hwa Chong?

Not strictly necessary, but many students at these schools have HCL. The 2 bonus points help with competitive cut-offs. However, strong performance in standard Chinese is acceptable — IP schools consider holistic profiles.

My child speaks Mandarin at home but struggles with writing. Should they take HCL?

Speaking ability alone is insufficient for HCL. Writing and comprehension are heavily weighted in examinations. If writing is weak, focus on strengthening standard Chinese first. Consider HCL only if writing improves significantly.

How many hours of extra study does HCL require?

Expect 3-5 additional hours weekly compared to standard Chinese, including lessons, homework, and revision. This is on top of existing academic commitments. Assess honestly whether your child has this capacity.

Related: Primary Chinese Tips | PSLE Scoring System Guide | Preparing for Primary One