In many classrooms today, students often find language learning overwhelming, especially when it comes to mastering Chinese. While examination performance is a major focus for many parents and educators, the deeper foundations of language learning are sometimes overlooked.
Building strong vocabulary and confidence early can make a significant difference in how students approach the language over time.
Recognizing this gap, educator Ting Koh founded Chequers Chinese in 2020, a brand dedicated to making Chinese learning more engaging, structured, and accessible for students.
Recognizing The Importance Of Vocabulary
Ting’s journey began through her teaching career. After starting in 2013 at a primary school under Singapore’s Ministry of Education, she spent years observing how students interacted with Chinese lessons.
Through her experience, she noticed that vocabulary plays a crucial role in language mastery. In Chinese learning, students gradually progress from characters to words, then sentences, paragraphs, and eventually full compositions.
However, vocabulary was often taught through memorization, which many students found repetitive and difficult to retain.
To address this challenge, Ting began experimenting with flashcards during her lessons. Initially, she created them manually by typing, printing, laminating, and cutting each card herself. These cards allowed students to revise independently while also transforming vocabulary practice into simple interactive games.
What began as a classroom tool soon revealed its potential as a learning resource beyond the classroom.
Developing Resources And Learning Programs
Today, Chequers Chinese offers a range of learning resources and educational programs designed to support students across multiple academic levels.
Its resources include flashcards designed for preschool learners through secondary school students, helping them strengthen vocabulary in a structured and engaging way.
The brand also produces guidebooks that focus on specific examination components such as comprehension and word combinations.
Beyond resources, Chequers Chinese conducts online classes for primary school students, covering areas such as oral examinations, composition writing, and Paper 2 preparation.
One of the brand’s most unique initiatives is the Compo Club, a composition-focused program that encourages consistent writing practice. Instead of traditional classes, students receive weekly assignments with structured guidance and submit their compositions digitally. Detailed feedback is then provided to help them improve gradually over time.
A Different Approach To Chinese Learning.
Chequers Chinese stands out in a competitive education landscape by focusing on both engaging learning experiences and structured teaching frameworks.
Its materials are designed with pastel colors and a friendly mascot named Cheqie, creating a visually welcoming environment that makes learning less intimidating for students.
At the same time, the brand emphasizes clear learning methods. Ting developed a framework called H.A.M.S.T.E.R.S., a structured acronym where each letter represents a key idea to guide students in their oral examination responses. Designed as a memory tool, it helps students recall what to include, allowing them to organise their thoughts clearly and respond with greater confidence.
By breaking learning into smaller and more manageable steps, the approach helps students build confidence and understand the language more effectively.
Looking Ahead
As Chequers Chinese continues to grow, Ting hopes to expand its resources and reach more students across Singapore.
One of her long-term goals is to develop a digital learning platform where students can access lessons, interactive exercises, games, and exam preparation tools in one place.
By combining strong educational foundations with creative learning experiences, Chequers Chinese aims to make Chinese learning both effective and enjoyable for the next generation of students.
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