Non-Chinese students might struggle with subjects taught in Mandarin

Start early: Cheah strongly advises non-Chinese parents who intend to send their children to Chinese schools to ensure they learn the basics of the language from preschool.

PETALING JAYA: Despite all their effort to ensure their two oldest daughters master Mandarin – from mountains of workbooks to expensive one-on-one tuition – Rafizah Hussin and her husband had to transfer them from a Chinese primary school to a national school when they were in Year Six.

Her daughters, who are twins, were struggling with their language subjects even after five years at SJKC Chung Hua Klang, which was affecting their overall academic performance, she said.