Singapore will pilot a new Chinese language curriculum at Primary 1 and Primary 2 levels in 25 schools in 2006, said a statement by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Tuesday.

In accordance with the natural progression in language learning, the new curriculum is based on four principles including listen and speak more, recognize characters effectively, follow on with reading and writing, as well as enjoy Chinese language learning.

The ministry hopes to build up good listening and oral skills and develop proficiency in reading early among Singaporean students so as to help them communicate in Chinese language effectively and confidently.

"Repetitive mechanical script writing does not help students learn meaningfully nor will it enthuse the students to learn," said the statement, adding that the new curriculum will put less emphasis on script writing in the lower primary years.

The MOE said that it will provide training to all primary Chinese language teachers by 2007 to prepare them for the new curriculum, and will encourage teachers and students to adapt and use different strategies for acquiring language skills to meet their needs.

The new curriculum will be rolled out to Primary 1 and Primary 2 in all schools in 2007 and be applied to all primary levels in schools nationwide by 2010.

The new curriculum was recommended by the Chinese Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee which were formed by the MOE in February 2004 to promote Chinese language teaching and learning in the city state.

While about 78 percent of the population in Singapore being ethnically Chinese, the proportion of Chinese students entering Primary 1 who speak predominantly English at home has risen from 36 percent in 1994 to 51 percent in 2005.

Source: Xinhua