All students in Singapore take on a second language at school, which is most often their Mother Tongue Language. As 75% of Singaporeans are Chinese, this means that a large number of students are taking on Chinese Language in school even if they do not speak it at home.
There are many good reasons to master the Chinese language besides the rich history and cultural heritage behind it. For one thing, the opening of the Chinese economy and the integration of global networks mean that there are an increasing number of job opportunities and business ventures available. It will be an added advantage to be well-versed in Chinese as many companies are looking to hire employees who are able to converse effectively with their mainland Chinese counterparts.
Even locally, many customer-facing positions are looking to hire employees who are fluent in Chinese so as to serve the increasing Chinese-speaking population in Singapore.
Despite this, many students ignore the importance of doing well in Chinese, neglecting it to focus on other subjects such as Maths and Science. However, the truth is that Chinese Language is just as important because it contributes to the overall score in national exams. In addition, students who take on Higher Chinese Language at PSLE have an edge when it comes to applying to specific secondary schools. At the ‘O’ Levels, students who obtain a passing grade in Chinese and go on to enter junior college do not have to take Chinese at ‘A’ Levels, allowing them to focus on their other subjects.
Of course, scoring well is easier said than done as mastering a language requires lots of efforts, patience and understanding. Since the early 1990s, parents have been engaging Chinese tutors for primary school, secondary school and all other levels.
The average hourly fees for History tuition ranges from $30 per hour to $130 per hour, depending on the tutor's credentials, experience and the level to teach.
Tuition Rates |
Part-Time |
Full-Time |
Ex/Current |
Pre-School |
$20 - $25 |
$30 - $40 |
$40 - $50 |
Primary / PYP |
$25 - $30 |
$35 - $50 |
$55 - $70 |
Secondary / MYP |
$30 - $40 |
$45 - $60 |
$70 - $90 |
JC / IB DP |
$40 - $60 |
$60 - $80 |
$90 - $130 |
Degree & Diploma |
$50 - $60 |
$60 - $80 |
$90 - $120 |
Music / Piano 2 |
$30 - $40 |
$50 - $60 |
$60 - $70 |
Adult Language 3 |
$40 - $50 |
$50 - $60 |
$70 - $80 |
Need a private Chinese tutor urgently? Make a Request now
No matter the level of Chinese tuition you are looking for, our team at Tutor City can assist in matching you with a tutor who ticks all your boxes. The tutors we recommend are experienced and qualified, with an in-depth familiarity of the relevant syllabus. In addition, we have years of experience matching parents and students with a tutor who works just for them, and this is proven through our many positive testimonials. Check out our positive Google reviews!
What Are Our Satisfied Parents Saying?
"Came across Tutor City's good reviews and decided to try it out. Benson was very quick at replying to my enquiries and turn-around time for providing me with suitable tutors was very fast. Really happy with the prompt and hassle free service. Already engaged a second tutor for another subject with him. Definitely recommended.."
Yve
"Really glad to have Benson help up in searching for a super good Chinese tutor for K1 child. It didn’t took long time to have suitable profile share to me and I would say the whole process are smooth. Thank you so much Benson!."
Crystal Sheep
"Happened to chance upon this tution center and found Ben. He is responsive. His advice is a great help to me. The tutor he recommended is great. My son is 13 and has short attention span and easily get distracted. Thank you Ben."
Tiffany H.
"It was a great experience enlisting Benson’s help and we found a suitable tutor in just one day’s time. He is a very proactive and efficient agent who continued to suggest numerable potential tutors throughout the day even when we were still unsure about our searching criteria. Very quick in responding too which was very helpful!."
Shiyun
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What to Expect from Tutor City's Chinese Tuition
Setting expectations is essential to understanding your needs and requirements. They help you determine what you should look for when finding the perfect tutor. That is why we are transparent, and we have highlighted everything you can expect from our pool of qualified teachers. It will help you make the right decision. Here is everything our Chinese tuition service offers to students:
We fulfill these expectations and much more. When you opt for our Chinese tuition service, you will notice a significant improvement in your grades, and you will have the confidence to ace your examinations in no time.
Understanding the Chinese Language Syllabus at Various Levels
From PSLE to ‘O’ Levels and eventually ‘A’ Levels, students will need to build up their linguistic skills in a variety of aspects, from speaking and listening to reading and writing.
For PSLE Chinese Language, students will seat for three papers in total:
Additionally, students who choose to take on PSLE Higher Chinese will have to take on another paper, which means more time spent on practice and revision. Although Higher Chinese does not contribute to the AL score in PSLE, it can give students a boost when seeking admission to a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school. The PSLE Higher Chinese paper does not have a listening and oral component, so students can rest assured that they do not need to go through the same process twice.
When students move on to secondary school, they will have to take on ‘O’ Levels Chinese. Just like with PSLE, this national exam will require students to complete three papers. At secondary level, students will be expected to expand on the skills and knowledge they have acquired in primary school, which is why it’s so important to build a strong foundation as early as possible. Similarly, students who have an aptitude for the language can choose to take on ‘O’ Levels Higher Chinese, which will allow them to bypass the ‘A’ Levels Chinese paper should they go on to attend JC. Students who have a strong interest in Chinese culture can opt to take H2 Chinese Language and Literature at ‘A’ Levels. This will go on to open up several pathways at university level.
No matter which level your child is at, they will need to master several important language skills in order to ace the national exams. This is especially important if your child is aiming for a local university. In order to do well, they will need to excel in all aspects of language learning, from reading and writing to listening and speaking. However, some students may find that they struggle more with certain aspects than with others, which is where they will need to be smart about coming up with a revision strategy.
Students at all levels can struggle with Chinese Language, and a big reason for this is because they don’t get the chance to speak it at home. As a result, they are used to communicating with their friends in English as well and thus, have little to no opportunity for speaking and practicing Chinese.
This results in a number of common challenges faced by students when it comes to excelling in Chinese:
Our experienced tutors know that many students face these common challenges and are well versed in helping them overcome it so they can excel in their examinations. Often, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for every student, and a good tutor will be able to identify the specific help your child requires before devising an individualised teaching plan that will work to bring out their strengths and improve on their areas of weakness.
1. We Cater to Each Student’s Individual Needs
A language subject has many various components. It can be the case that a student is weak in one specific component while doing reasonably well in others. For example, a student can be fantastic and reading and writing in Chinese but have trouble communicating their thoughts verbally. This is a common problem for students who speak English at home and do not get the chance to converse in Chinese often.
This is why our Chinese tutors take the time to identify the weaknesses of each individual student and devise a teaching style that will work best for their needs. A personalised teaching plan is designed for each student, allowing them to learn and improve at their own pace. With consistent hard work and individualised attention from a dedicated tutor, students will soon start to notice a significant improvement in their Chinese results.
2. Enhanced Confidence
Once a student’s grades start to show signs of improvement, they will also become more confident in their abilities. While skills and knowledge are necessary, we believe that confidence is another important part of the battle. Without it, students may feel inclined to give up before they have even attempted the paper, believing that there’s no chance they will score well anyway. Increased confidence in Chinese communication skills will open many doors for students, opening up a wider range of opportunities when it comes to choosing the right educational programme for higher learning. That is why our tutors work hard to boost the confidence of students alongside increasing their test scores!
3. Access to Additional Learning Resources
Good students are the ones who utilise the materials provided by their school, but great students will utilise additional learning materials. The learning resources provided by our tutors will give students an edge over their peers as they are not readily available elsewhere. With these resources, students can engage in additional practice that targets the areas they are weak in and help them perfect the areas they are already doing well in.
Our tutors provide students with summarised notes from various top schools, newspaper articles in Chinese, assessment books and a range of other practice materials depending on their needs. These resources have been designed to help students excel and achieve better fluency in Chinese. Students will also receive past examination papers from top schools, allowing them to get in the additional practice they will need to enhance their confidence and boost their test-taking skills.
4. Availability to Answer Questions
At Tutor City, we believe in providing a holistic Chinese tuition service, where our tutors also serve as mentors. To this end, we only hire qualified and experienced teachers who are fully committed to the success of their students. These tutors are well-versed with the education system of Singapore and can help students with understanding the future career choices, school choices, university courses and subject combinations open to them.
No matter what questions students have about their academic aims, our tutors can take into account their strengths and weaknesses before giving them the best recommendations. Even if students require help with their homework or practice paper outside of hours, our tutors are always happy to help subject to their availability.
5. Encourage and Cultivate a Higher Level of Interest in Chinese
With the heavy focus on Math and Science in Singapore, the unfortunate truth is that students can end up taking their language subjects lightly. Some may also have the misguided belief that languages are not as important and therefore, spend less time on revision. That is why our tutors make sure that students first develop an interest in the language.
Our expert tutors help them develop this interest by talking about current affairs and including Chinese stories in their teaching. When the topic of discussion is something that interests students, they will be more eager to learn and stories will make learning Chinese more fun and interactive for them. Their interest in the language will naturally increase through these tactics. When students become more fluent and gain more interest in the language, they will naturally wish to consume more content in Chinese. When they do this consistently, their fluency and proficiency will improve and with that, their overall grades!
With so many great reasons to engage a Chinese tutor, it’s important to do so before your child starts lagging even further behind their peers. A good tutor will always take the time to sit down and work with each student to understand their individual strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest before devising a revision plan that will work just for them!
Here are some of the Secondary School/IGCSE Chinese topics we cover:
Here are some of the JC/IBDP H1 Chinese topics we cover:
Here are some of the JC/IBDP SL/HL Chinese topics we cover:
Qualities To Look for In a Chinese Tutor
When it comes to choosing a suitable tutor for your child, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best fit will depend on many factors that are unique to your child’s situation. However, some key considerations should remain the same, such as making sure that any tutor you choose is qualified and experienced. At Tutor City, we take the time to understand your needs before making the best recommendation(s) to you. Here are some of the essential qualities you should look out for when choosing a Chinese tutor:
1. Qualifications
Chinese tutors need to have the right language qualifications and training in order for them to guide students successfully. To this end, you should always make sure that any tutor you choose has undergone training by NIE or MOE. Such qualifications mean that the teachers have gone through a training process that makes them proficient in teaching Chinese.
At Tutor City, we highlight all tutors' qualifications and academic achievements so you can choose the right one. It will allow you to make an informed decision and choose a tutor with the right qualifications for your needs.
2. Experience and Suitability
The tutor you choose needs to have experience in teaching at the level your child is at. For example, if you are looking for a JC Chinese tutor, it does not make sense to hire a teacher who has experience teaching Chinese at the primary level. Having relevant experience means that a tutor is familiar with the syllabus at the level your child is at, understands the common challenges faced by students and are familiar with tactics that work in overcoming these challenges. At Tutor City, we are able to recommend tutors who have experience in teaching at the level your child is at.
3. Access to Learning Materials and Resources
As tutors gain experience with helping students improve their grades successfully, they also amass a range of learning materials that work best. They gather these materials from top schools and a range of other sources to help students excel in Chinese. This means that students will have access to past papers, notes, assessment books and much more. At Tutor City, we will indicate if the tutor is able to provide additional learning materials for the student. This will allow you to make an informed decision based on how much additional help your child needs.
4. Successful Track Record
Naturally, you will want to know that any tutor you choose has a strong track record of successful students. You should never be afraid to ask for testimonials in order to find out if the tutor is capable of delivering the results your child wants. Of course, while a large part of this depends on your child’s attitude as well, you will want to know that you have the best tutor in your corner, cheering your child on and helping them reach their fullest potential.
5. Teaching Mode and Flexibility
Depending on your child’s schedule, you may have very specific requirements when it comes to the day and time each tuition session takes place. Or you may even be looking for online tuition that your child can attend from anywhere. Here is where you will need to find a tutor who’s fully onboard with the teaching mode that will best suit your child. Some degree of flexibility may also be required if your child has many commitments that may change at a moment’s notice.
It is important not to compromise when searching for a tutor who will meet your child’s every need. After all, your end goal is for your child’s grades to improve, which will ultimately open up more pathways for them, whether that is in higher education or career options. Searching for a tutor can also be a challenging prospect with so many options out there today. Here is where you should reach out to us at Tutor City and let us make the most suitable recommendations for you within a short turnaround time.
Let Tutor City Assist You with Finding a Chinese Tutor
When looking for a suitable Chinese tutor, you may have information bombarding you from various fronts. From tuition centres to private tutors, you may have trouble deciding on the most suitable one for your child’s needs. Once you have ascertained that your child will benefit most from a private tutor who can give them one-on-one attention, it’s time to start the search. Tutor City can help you cut through the noise and recommend the best tutor to meet your child’s needs.
All our tutors undergo a strict vetting process before being approved to teach with us. After letting us know your basic requirements, such as your budget and the level your child is at, we will recommend a few tutors for you to take your pick from. From there, you can arrange a trial lesson with no commitment – all you need to do is pay for the first lesson if you do not feel that the tutor is a good match for your child afterwards!
Getting started with us is quick, easy and convenient. Simply fill out this form and we will get back to you with our recommendations within 24 hours! We look forward to helping your child along their academic journey, whether they require help with Chinese or any other subject.
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Ben was extremely helpful in finding me a Tamil tutor for my kids. He was very prompt and sourced an excellent tutor at short notice for both my kids. Would highly recommend Ben if anyone is looking for tutors/ teachers to import specialised attention for any subject.
First time using them. They are very responsive and able to find a suitable tutor for my child. I am so glad to come across this agency that has the source for special needs tutor. Hope my child can progress well into his future. 🥰
Ben was very good and helped us with all our questions, teacher pay neg, timing and arrangement of trial lessons. This helped us to select a good teacher for my son. You shld give him a try. Thks.
Benson allowed my child to try out 1 paid trial lesson with tutor. I must say the tutor is knowledgeable and dedicated. Thank you for your good service! I managed to get a tutor within a day.
Benson has provided prompt service once he received my request. Good advice was given at the verge of choosing the tutor. Good job, Benson!
I am very pleased with the service provided by Benson. He is very prompt in answering my enquiries and asked very detailed questions in order to better connect with the right tutor. I was able to find a maths tutor for my daughter relatively quickly. Highly recommended.