Reported by:
Ng Yi Phin JR2Z(2)
How much do you know about the Chinese Language? Is it really that hard? On 15th April 2022, the Kuen Cheng Broadcasting Club interviewed Dr. Wong Cheng Yoke who takes care of the Teachers’ Professional Development, about her experiences with Chinese education. Let’s have a look!
“I’m Kuen Cheng’s alumni, and I remember we used to host fundraising events for our school. It was very hard work. Despite only receiving a RM5 donation, we were already excited then.” Madam Wong used to wonder why couldn’t the school just ask wealthier people or committee members to donate. She realised later that actually, Chinese education and schools need the whole society’s help. “It is everyone’s responsibility to protect and keep Chinese education alive.”
What are the other ways to keep our unique education going? Madam Wong says that from students’ perspective, enrolling in independent Chinese secondary schools (e.g. Kuen Cheng High School, Confucian Private Secondary School, Hin Hua High School, etc.) can ensure Chinese education’s preservation, and as Kuen Cheng’s alumni she decided to teach here to repay kindness and appreciation to the School.
Next, Madam Wong shared two inspiring stories about her friends. She used to know a Malay teacher who speaks Mandarin and sits for the Chinese language subject in SPM. Madam Wong was curious why would a Malay feel interested in and like this hard-to-learn language? The Malay teacher said that she was attracted by the uniqueness of this language which has been passed down by many generations, although some of the hard parts include classical literature (文言文) and the rich variety of Chinese literature.
Classical Chinese literature, possibly every Chinese student’s nightmare
One of Madam Wong’s former colleagues studied in a Malay secondary school, where Chinese classes were not available. In order to learn the subject, she had to travel from Johor to Melaka to meet up with their teacher. This continued for three consecutive months, and they didn’t give up. Therefore, as we KCians might take our Chinese education for granted, some people have to take very far measures just to learn it. We should cherish having this opportunity.
Chinese = hardest language ever? According to the UN, Chinese Language is in the top spot for “hardest languages to learn”. Madam Wong doesn’t deny that learning Chinese is hard, but there are several ways to cope with its difficulties. According to her, the three main difficulties of Chinese are:
1) Knowledge difficulties
Students might find it hard to understand the various “grammar rules” in Chinese and classical pieces from ancient dynasties. Students can always learn and study together with friends who are good at it.
2) Difficulties in learning chances
Some students don’t get to learn Chinese even if they want to since the subject classes aren’t always available and popular in Malaysia. However, don’t give up looking for ways to learn it.
3) Attitude difficulties
People might think that Chinese education isn’t really that important and act passively towards fundraising activities and talk about Chinese education. But, the education itself is like a little bud, it needs everyone’s support to grow into a blooming flower, and it cannot flourish with only neglect from the community.
Many warriors have fought to keep and preserve Chinese education, so let us continue this wonderful and unique culture of ours. We should be proud as a person who learns Chinese and stand confidently in this modernised world. In conclusion, love Chinese!
Proud to be KCians!