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Chinese Oral Class: Building Fluency and Confidence for PSLE

Fluency in speech is not just about knowing words — it’s about building confidence, structure, and expression, especially in a second language.

PSLE Oral exams is a make-or-break component in Chinese paper, but they’re also one of the easiest ways to boost your child’s PSLE score as it carries 50% of the total score.

If your child freezes during stimulus-based conversations, struggles to organise thoughts, or lacks exposure to daily spoken Mandarin, the issue isn’t effort.

It’s a lack of explicitly taught oral communication skills. And that’s where a targeted Chinese Oral Class, like ours at MandarinStars, makes all the difference!

The Real Challenges Behind Chinese Speaking for Students

For many students, speaking Mandarin at home isn’t an option, which leads to common hurdles such as:

Freezing up during stimulus-based conversations

They don’t know how to respond to visual prompts or carry a conversation confidently.

Speaking too slowly, too fast, or without structure

Their thoughts may be there — but they can’t organise or express them clearly.

Limited vocabulary exposure at home

Especially in homes where Mandarin is not spoken regularly, children often lack the words they need to express even simple ideas.

Over-reliance on memorised phrases

Many students fall into the trap of using generic, rehearsed responses that sound robotic — and examiners can tell.

Lack of confidence and speaking opportunities

In large classes or one-way lessons, students don’t get enough real oral practice or meaningful feedback.

These struggles aren’t due to laziness or lack of ability. They stem from one key issue: oral performance is a skill — and like any skill, it can be broken down, taught, and practised effectively.

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The MandarinStars Approach to Mastering Chinese Oral Skills

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At MandarinStars, we go far beyond simple drills. We focus on building five essential oral skills that transform hesitant speakers into confident, fluent communicators — giving your child the edge they need for PSLE success and beyond. Here’s what we focus on:

1. Mastering Stimulus-Based Conversation

Our experienced teachers teach students to break down picture prompts, relate them to real-life scenarios, and respond with a clear, structured flow — ensuring they stay relevant and confident under exam conditions.

2. Organising Ideas with Oral Frameworks

Fluency isn’t just about knowing words; it’s about knowing what to say and in what order. We help students connect ideas logically, stay on topic, and deliver answers with clarity and confidence.

3. Expanding Vocabulary and Expression

Our lessons introduce functional, real-life vocabulary and encourage the use of descriptive and emotional language, moving students away from flat, memorised phrases to richer, more authentic speech.

4. Developing Pronunciation, Tone, and Confidence

We provide live feedback on tone accuracy, pronunciation, and expression, preparing students for a sharp and fluent delivery during the stimulus based conversation component even if they speak little Mandarin at home.

5. Practising in a Supportive, Small-Class Setting

By using MOE-aligned oral prompts and videos, and providing ample speaking opportunities, we ensure every learner develops confidence through meaningful practice.

Most importantly, our approach is tailored to each child’s unique learning needs — whether they struggle with confidence, face learning challenges like ADHD or Dyslexia, or simply need more structured, scaffolded support than traditional tuition can offer.

At MandarinStars, we don’t just prepare your child to pass; we equip them with lifelong Mandarin conversational skills they can carry confidently into secondary school and beyond.

How to Support Oral Skills at Home (Even If You Don’t Speak Mandarin)

Strong oral skills go beyond exams — they strengthen listening, reading, writing, and deepen your child’s connection to Chinese language and culture. Most importantly, oral fluency lays the groundwork for long-term success, supporting your child through secondary school and beyond.

You don’t need to be fluent to help! Try these simple tips:

✅ Ask your child to describe photos, daily events, or school experiences in Mandarin.

✅ Watch short Chinese videos together and discuss what you’ve seen.

✅ Practise simple opinion questions (like “What do you think of…?”) to encourage open-ended responses.

✅ Encourage everyday spoken Mandarin, even in small moments — this real-world practice strengthens what they learn in class.

By creating a supportive space at home, you help your child build confidence and make the most of their Mandarin learning journey.

Help Your Child Speak Mandarin Confidently With MandarinStars!

At MandarinStars, we’re committed to fostering a fun and collaborative learning environment where students learn not only from the teachers but also benefit from interaction with their peers!

With ultra-small classes of just 2 to 5 students, each child receives personalised attention, feels safe to make mistakes, and participates actively without fear.

Explore our programmes below to see how we bring these skills to life.

Chinese Kindergarten 2 (K2)

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Primary Chinese Programmes

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Online Programmes

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Dyslexia Tutoring & Special Needs

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Chinese Holiday Camps for Kids

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Unlock Your Child's Potential Today!

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