Explanations are still hard to follow
An unfamiliar Chinese word is explained with more unfamiliar Chinese, and the meaning remains unclear.
SLC CHINESE · PRIMARY & SECONDARY · BILINGUAL TEACHERS
Chinese tuition for English-speaking students
Understand first. Build confidence using Mandarin.
Ask about a class for my child Tell us their level and what they need help with.
Does your child mainly speak English at home, or need an unfamiliar Chinese word explained in a more familiar language? All SLC Chinese teachers are effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin. When needed, we clarify meaning in English, then guide your child back into Mandarin through vocabulary, sentence-building, conversation and writing.
Discuss my child’s Chinese learning →Marymount and online options, subject to programme availability.
Does this sound like your child?
Vocabulary is memorised, but hard to use
Your child recognises a word in a list but struggles with it in a new sentence, passage or composition.
Ideas come more easily in English
Your child has an opinion but hesitates, switches languages or gives only a short Mandarin response.
Practice is not building confidence
It helps to find out what keeps going wrong. Does your child misunderstand the question, forget the words or struggle to put a sentence together?
A little English to explain. Then back to Mandarin.
Find where understanding breaks down
Use current schoolwork and the child’s explanation to identify vocabulary, sentence meaning, question interpretation or expression gaps.
Use English as a bridge when needed
If a Chinese explanation leaves your child more confused, we can use some English or a familiar example to make the meaning clear.
Return to Mandarin practice
Model word combinations, sentences, spoken responses and writing so the child can use the meaning in Chinese.
Check independent application
Then we change the question or situation and ask your child to try again, with less help as they become more comfortable.
ILLUSTRATIVE TEACHING EXAMPLE
From understanding 主动 to using it independently
This illustrates the teaching approach; it is not a student work sample or results claim.
主动 · taking initiative
Help the student understand: doing something helpful without waiting to be asked.
我主动帮老师整理课室。
Check who acted, what they did and why the action shows initiative.
Give a different example
Invite the child to describe another situation using 主动, with prompts and feedback where needed.
Speak it, then write it
Add a reason, an event and another person’s response to develop an oral answer or a short composition scene.
English helps establish understanding. We use it selectively when needed, while guiding practice back into Mandarin. The goal is greater understanding and use of Chinese, beyond translating an answer into English.
Choose your child’s level
Primary & PSLE Chinese
Connect vocabulary, comprehension, composition and oral expression to the school tasks your child needs to manage.
See the class details →Secondary Chinese
Practise reading longer passages, explaining answers, writing and oral for your child’s G2 or G3 syllabus.
See the class details →Higher Chinese
Choose Primary, Secondary G3 or IP Higher Chinese. We can look at your child’s current work and discuss whether the class would suit them.
See the class details →Choose the suitable programme
Core Banded Classes · CBC
Structured coaching for understanding, vocabulary and application. CBC students receive unlimited open consultation access, with T&Cs applying.
See the next step →Oral & Writing support
Connect theme vocabulary, guided speaking and composition, with opportunities to develop a response.
See the next step →Start with programme advice
Tell us your child’s level and what they find difficult. A recent piece of work can help us discuss a suitable class.
See the next step →Group classes: fees and lesson arrangements
Discuss class arrangements ↓- Primary group-class fees
- S$200–S$400 / 4 lessons
- Secondary & above
- S$250–S$600 / 4 lessons
- Each lesson
- 1.5 hours
- Average effective ratio
- 1 teacher : 6–10 students
- Lesson format
- Marymount and online, subject to programme availability
Adjusted to the month’s lesson count: these rates are quoted per 4 lessons. The amount payable each month is adjusted according to the number of lessons that month; confirm the exact fee with our team.
SLC uses a team-based teaching model. A class may have a main teacher and co-teachers.
Extra support with CBC
CBC students receive unlimited access to open consultation (T&Cs apply). Ask our team about eligibility and consultation arrangements before enrolling.
Explore CBC →How can you tell if it’s helping?
Useful signs to discuss include understanding instructions more independently, explaining word meanings, forming clearer sentences, attempting longer Mandarin responses and applying learning to fresh reading and writing tasks. Progress is more than the number of exercises completed.
Questions parents ask
Can all SLC Chinese teachers explain in English?
Yes. All SLC Chinese teachers are effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin. They can clarify meaning when needed, then guide practice in Mandarin.
Will my child become more dependent on English?
The aim is to understand and use Mandarin more independently. English supports meaning when needed; modelling, Mandarin practice and fresh tasks help reduce reliance on prompts.
Is this only for students from particular schools?
Support is based on the student’s language background, current schoolwork and learning needs. A school name does not determine a child’s ability or the right class.
Can this support PSLE or secondary exam preparation?
Teaching connects to the relevant stage’s schoolwork and assessment requirements, including comprehension, writing and oral expression. Bring recent work so the team can discuss the appropriate pathway.
How are fees calculated?
Standard primary group classes cost S$200–S$400 per 4 lessons; secondary and above cost S$250–S$600 per 4 lessons. Monthly fees adjust to the number of lessons that month. DSA Scholars and BSP programmes are highly customised and arranged separately.
What should I share when enquiring?
Tell us your child’s level, the language used most often at home, and whether the main difficulty is understanding, speaking, reading or writing. Recent marked work can make the discussion more specific.
START WITH YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS
Let’s understand where your child gets stuck
Share your child’s level, the language used most often at home and the main difficulty: understanding, speaking, reading or writing. We can discuss a suitable class, exact fees and assessment arrangements.
Discuss my child’s Chinese learning →Opens a WhatsApp draft. Review it and press Send in WhatsApp to reach SLC.