The Unique Challenge for Chinese-Medium Students
If you attended a Chinese-medium school (SMJK), you probably score well in Maths, Science, and Chinese. But English might be your weakest SPM subject.
This isn’t because you’re bad at languages. It’s because English grammar works fundamentally differently from Chinese grammar. Once you understand these differences, improvement comes fast.
5 Common Challenges (And How to Fix Them)
1. Articles (a, an, the)
Chinese doesn’t have articles. So Chinese-medium students often write “I saw cat” instead of “I saw a cat.”
The fix: Before submitting any essay, re-read every noun. Ask: “Does this noun need ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’?”
- First mention of something → “a” or “an”
- Specific or already mentioned → “the”
- Uncountable nouns (water, information) → usually no article
2. Tense Errors
Chinese verbs don’t change form for tense. “I eat” and “I ate” would use the same verb in Chinese. This makes English tenses confusing.
The fix: Before writing, decide: is this essay about the past, present, or future? Write the tense at the top of your paper as a reminder. Then check every verb as you write.
3. Sentence Structure (Word Order)
Chinese sentence structure sometimes differs from English. For example:
- Chinese: “I yesterday went to school” (time before verb)
- English: “I went to school yesterday” (time after verb)
The fix: Follow the English pattern: Subject + Verb + Object + Time/Place
4. Direct Translation
Translating Chinese expressions directly into English often produces awkward sentences.
- “Open the light” → “Turn on the light”
- “Eat medicine” → “Take medicine”
- “Play computer” → “Use the computer”
The fix: Learn common English collocations (word partnerships). When you learn a new word, learn what words go WITH it.
5. Vocabulary Range
Chinese-medium students often have a smaller English vocabulary, which limits essay quality.
The fix: Build vocabulary around essay topics (see our vocabulary building guide). Focus on words you’ll actually use, not random word lists.
Why Mandarin-Assisted Teaching Works
Some students learn English concepts faster when explained in Mandarin first. This isn’t a weakness — it’s an efficient learning strategy.
For example, explaining the concept of “conditional sentences” in Mandarin first (“如果…就…”) helps students understand the structure before practising it in English.
We use this approach regularly with Chinese-medium students. The result: faster understanding, less frustration, and better exam performance.
The Fast-Track Plan for SMJK Students
Weeks 1-4: Grammar foundations
- Articles, tenses, prepositions
- Daily 15-minute grammar exercises
- Focus on the 10 most common errors
Weeks 5-8: Writing skills
- Essay structure and paragraph writing
- Practice with Directed Writing formats
- 2 essays per week with detailed feedback
Weeks 9-12: Exam preparation
- Full the Writing and Reading papers practice
- Literature revision
- Timed practice under exam conditions
You Don’t Need to Be “Good at English” to Score Well
SPM English is a standardised exam. It tests specific skills that can be learned and practised. Chinese-medium students who follow a structured approach consistently improve — 83% of our students improve by 2+ grades.
The key is getting the right guidance. A tutor who understands both Mandarin and English can explain concepts in the way that makes sense to you, then help you practise until it becomes natural.