Chinese is one of the earliest forms of written languages in the world with 5,000 years of history. Being a language that developed in a high context culture, Chinese language is not just about verbal communication or repeating what one has memorized.
Fluency in the Chinese language also requires a background understanding of the origins of the word or phrase and being able to interpret the language in the context of how it was delivered (such as gestures, stance, and tone) by whom (social hierarchy) and in which situation.
Growing up in an English-speaking family with Peranakan and Western influences, I often made many a faux pas when speaking Chinese using the wrong words due to my inadequate vocabulary, or using the right words in the wrong context, not knowing better due to lack of exposure to the culture.
I felt that being able to role play and practise the Chinese language in a diversity of scenarios would have helped, hence I was happy to learn about the Chinese Enrichment classes provided by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe.
Pioneer in Chinese Enrichment using Speech and Drama since 1986
The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe, founded in 1986, has decades of experience teaching Chinese language to students using Speech and Drama. It launched the Children’s Performing Arts class in 1987 with 99 students, and now has an annual intake of 2,000 students.
Students aged as young as 18 months to 16 years old can attend a variety of classes in the Cultural Arts and Chinese Language, such as Speech and Drama, Broadcasting, Creative Writing and Fun Chinese.
Part of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe’s success comes from its belief that students should have fun learning via innovative and lively activities. If classes are always filled with fun and laughter, students’ enthusiasm and interest in learning Chinese will be highly stimulated.
How can our preschoolers learn Chinese better with the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe?
Ever felt frustrated when your toddler can’t seem to remember simple Chinese characters? Leave it to the professionals to make Chinese fun and engaging, so you can spend your time just enjoying your child’s company instead of scolding or fretting over how to teach Chinese.
In the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe’s Chinese enrichment classes, toddlers pick up Chinese via activities such as story role play, music and movement, life skills development and interactive games. As they progress to kindergarten, their listening, comprehension, reading, and oral abilities improve, together with their confidence in presentation when they engage in theatrical games, sensory exercises and more.
To better cater to different learning needs, the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe also runs Kiddy Art classes (to strengthen creativity, spatial perception, and artistic expression) and Hanyu Pinyin courses to help students develop good pronunciation and an understanding of the phonetics behind Mandarin before they enter Primary School.
Nurturing self-expression and artistic skills in Primary and Secondary Students
The expectations for Chinese fluency jump quite dramatically as our children progress to Primary School. With weekly 听写 (spelling exercises), assessments and oral examinations, how can our children absorb so much and yet enjoy the learning process?
What if learning Chinese can incorporate dramatization, story-telling, and multiple forms of artistic avenues to build our children’s confidence in self-expression? This is the promise that the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe offers to our children who enroll in its courses that include Speech and Drama, Broadcasting, Calligraphy and Chinese Painting, and Creative Writing.
Many of these courses have been conducted for decades and its students have progressed to public performances. For example, outstanding students from its Speech & Drama classes are selected to join the Children Performance Troupe. The Children Performance Troupe has participated in numerous performances of different scales, such as five original Mandarin Musicals where young performers integrated the different elements of singing, drama and dance, professional dance choreography, stage lighting and sound design.
Another example is its Broadcasting course where students learn how to construct radio plays, crosstalk, and radio ads. Each term, students will have a studio recording session to practise what they have learnt in a hands-on environment. Isn’t this really cool?
The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe also offers various platforms for self-expression to teens, such as its Youth Performance Troupe that was established in 2000 to provide a space and stage for the youths who love and are passionate about the theatre arts.
Learning Chinese is way more fun when there are stories to tell, dramas to act, and art to create. Besides its regular Chinese enrichment courses, the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe runs holiday programmes too.
Check out Chinese enrichment courses for your child at shhkact.com.sg and follow @shhkact.
About the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe
Founded in 1986, the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe has been established for more than 30 years. The Children’s Performing Arts class, launched in 1987, pioneered the teaching of Speech and Drama in Mandarin. Today, it is one of the most established and recognised youth learning centres in Singapore providing a variety of Chinese enrichment courses for preschoolers, primary and secondary students.
This award-winning organisation believes that children get to experience the joy of learning and cultivate important values while growing up in a culturally and artistically rich environment. Through teamwork and friendships, they build good character and personalities.
Locations
- Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy
Address: 5 Sennett Road, Singapore 466781 - Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe
Address: 397 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh Singapore 319639
This post is brought to you by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe.
By Julia Chan.
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