The main goal of professionals is to stand out above the rest by maximising their fullest potential. They do this by constantly learning about their careers, taking classes to sharpen their skills, and improving their craft. In Singapore, SkillsFuture is a national movement that provides opportunities for adults to learn. It is indicative of the government's willingness to put a premium on professional and personal growth. One way to do this is by using your SkillsFuture credit for language courses. 

In this article, I would like to share my experiences with using my SkillsFuture subsidy to enrol in a Chinese class. Also, I will share tips about how I maximised the entire experience. 

MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 

Here's a run-down about myself: I am a 26-year-old young professional working as a marketing staff in a Singaporean company. My job revolves around writing content and strategising our clients' marketing efforts. I also do a bit of UX (user experience) writing as my sideline to learn more about the fundamentals of digital products and how people interact with them. With that, I made sure to sharpen my communication skills by using my SkillsFuture credit for language courses. 

Mandarin is one of the primary languages in Singapore. It is not only about their rich heritage but also the global influence of the Chinese language - especially in the business field. Since the company I work for transacts with various entities around Asia, my superior suggested I use my SkillsFuture grant to enrol in a Chinese class. That was my main driving force for prioritising my professional and personal growth over everything else. 

I do not regret taking that advice with all my heart. Here is a narration of my experience about how I maximised the benefits of using my SkillsFuture credit for an exciting Mandarin course. 

MANDARIN COURSES 

Given the dominance of Mandarin in Singapore, I did not think twice about joining language courses. Also, I had the flexibility because my company adopted a work-from-home scheme ever since the pandemic started. The challenging part is anyone can use their SkillsFuture credit for language courses they prefer. There are no limitations because everyone is free to choose from a range of skills and crafts. 

I started by just searching for MOOCs (massive open online courses) that offer a comprehensive syllabus on Mandarin. A friend also offered help by suggesting some websites, so I carefully examined each of them. I also checked the schedule and course content. Luckily, it checked all the boxes, and I finally used my SkillsFuture credit for this Mandarin course. 

Here are some tips to maximise your fullest potential in learning the Chinese language. 

Attend Classes Regularly 

Before I dived in and used my SkillsFuture subsidy to enrol in a Chinese class, I checked the schedule first to know if it fits my schedule. My work runs from 9 AM to 4 PM, and the classes start at 7 PM on weekdays, so I had ample time to rest after work. There were also afternoon weekend classes. Doing this helps you assess whether you are amenable to comply with everything. 

Attendance is necessary, so I made sure to be on schedule to avoid missing classes. If you miss classes, chances are you will not learn that much because you lack knowledge. It also affects your requirements and overall progress in the course. 

Maximise The Free Resources 

Accessibility is one selling point of online courses because all you need is a device to access the media resources. It is also one reason I immediately used my SkillsFuture subsidy for language courses. Students don't need to purchase additional materials because the learning centre provides everything. 

However, being the enthusiastic learner I am, I purchased additional material and a good-quality notebook to help me maximise my learning experience. While the resources are enough, I highly encourage doing this if you want to learn more about Mandarin. It would not hurt to invest in materials that benefit you in the long run. 

Consult With Your Instructor

The instructor also serves as your mentor. They will guide you throughout the entire process to ensure learning. When using your SkillsFuture grant for a Mandarin course, you make the most of it by consulting with the instructor. 

What I loved about this is they are accessible via online communication channels. I can give them a call or send a message regarding my concerns. Or ask about my progress to know how to improve my performance. 

Collaborate With Classmates 

Another vital facet of learning is collaboration. It helps students gather fresh perspectives from other people while developing their social skills. The same concept applies to people who use their SkillsFuture grant to enrol in a Chinese class. 

During the classes, I collaborated with my classmates to learn more. We even held meetings during our spare time to practice communicating in Mandarin. 

Use your SkillsFuture subsidy on exciting language courses. Visit Stanford Language Centre to learn more.