tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post931297697812961965..comments2024-02-17T01:11:34.207+08:00Comments on Of Kids and Education: Are we tuitioning the life out of our kids?monlimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-51199678898841263352011-12-14T12:29:27.521+08:002011-12-14T12:29:27.521+08:00Hi Monica,
I have been quite vexed about this tui...Hi Monica,<br /><br />I have been quite vexed about this tuition nation phenomenon in Singapore. My 8 year old is now feeling very anxious as she has not had tuition and all her friends, even those who are really good in schoolwork are having tuition and enrichment of some sort. She will be P3 next year and I am just wondering is tuition an absolute necessity or just to make yourself feel better because everyone else is sending their child for tuition. What has become of our education system?QueenMummynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-73079702938632252752011-04-13T15:02:51.317+08:002011-04-13T15:02:51.317+08:00LL: I'm so far not wowed by Andre's Englis...LL: I'm so far not wowed by Andre's English tuition. What's good about this teacher is she gives lots of practice in compo. In other areas, I feel she doesn't spend enough time reinforcing concepts, instead she gives lots of worksheets. Though to be fair, it may be a bit early to judge since language proficiency tends to take longer to develop.monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-77701472901683122452011-04-13T14:31:36.291+08:002011-04-13T14:31:36.291+08:00Chance upon your blog today, found it quite an int...Chance upon your blog today, found it quite an interesting blog. <br /><br />I am also looking for English Tuition for my son as I find that he did not learn much from school. He is weak in all components, grammar, vocab, compre, close passage, compo and oral. Partly because he only likes to read easy books and do exam papers. <br /><br />Could you share more about your son P5 English tuition and how you rate it as my son is in that level too ?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />LLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-7463915417158814062011-01-15T22:57:01.944+08:002011-01-15T22:57:01.944+08:00Elan: Good for you! I agree, if the boys can get 7...Elan: Good for you! I agree, if the boys can get 75 on their own, which is an A1 afterall, then they don't really need tuition. Unfortunately L-A is still bordering a B3 for chinese so being tuition-free is not an option just yet :Pmonlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-87417414534321378512011-01-15T22:52:37.937+08:002011-01-15T22:52:37.937+08:00I agree that this tuition business is getting real...I agree that this tuition business is getting really crazy. I've just gone the opposite way. <br />At their ardent request, I have this deal with my 2 boys (sec 1 and 2, SBGE in an IP school) that they can skip their CL tuition (their only tuition subject) for 1 term and we will assess their grades at the end of it. If they score below 80(for Sec 1) and 75 (or Sec 2), (my expectations are really not high at all) they will have to resume CL tuition. <br />They claim that tuition is boring and makes them hate the subject more and they study better on their own. <br />They must be the 2 free-est boys around, spend all their time "idling" away, but stress-free. <br />Maybe I'm nuts but these are 2 relatively unimportant years so best time to "experiment". <br /><br />elanelannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-23040553488049447042011-01-12T17:15:25.944+08:002011-01-12T17:15:25.944+08:00SL: Lol, I know what you mean by the good teachers...SL: Lol, I know what you mean by the good teachers always allocated to best classes. It's like the rest of the cohort doesn't matter, the school wants to make sure the top performers perform.<br /><br />Every year, I pray very hard my kids will get good teachers cos it's luck of the draw. When they get a good one, it's like touching lottery!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-92197051806778537652011-01-12T16:13:41.409+08:002011-01-12T16:13:41.409+08:00Have been MIA for a while and took some time to re...Have been MIA for a while and took some time to read your blogposts which I missed. It is an anomaly right now. The tutors outside can teach so much better than our school teachers and they are able to devise high level material to capture the interest of our children and stretch them better than the school teachers. It's ridiculous. IMO, I think the main problems are lack of training for school teachers, lack of ministry support for school teachers in terms of resources (eg materials) and the big class sizes. To their credit, there are some good teachers but sigh, always allocated to best classes. As for IP secondary sch, well, IP doesn't teach - so who teach? Parents and tutors of course. Most children can't self-teach themselves (they have to be independent right?) for subjects which they really made no head or tail and the school teachers are not guiding/teaching. Tutors to the rescue please! 8) [But pls, not 9 tutors of course - poor child!]<br /><br />SLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-34345058593837673862011-01-12T12:22:19.411+08:002011-01-12T12:22:19.411+08:00Iris: I'm realising that all the mums who read...Iris: I'm realising that all the mums who read my blog have such young kids! Gosh, makes me feel old...monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-22837184069466120392011-01-12T12:02:29.267+08:002011-01-12T12:02:29.267+08:00Actually learning Chinese words should be planned ...Actually learning Chinese words should be planned in stages, Starting with basic vocabulary and the radicals. Once the child understand the meaning of the radicals, the number of words he can read and comprehend will be multiplied. It is not a straight line progression. Doing so will waste a lot of unnecessary time and energy. <br /><br />But nuff said about Chinese! :) my firstborn is one of the few kids without any tuition too. And he's only in P1!!<br /><br />IrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-52905126354260756132011-01-12T09:57:21.879+08:002011-01-12T09:57:21.879+08:00Iris: Personally, I think it's easier to learn...Iris: Personally, I think it's easier to learn rules than to learn every single character on its own. Imagine if numbers were like that, instead of 1 to 9, and then combinations of these numbers, imagine if every number in the world was a distinct character. That would just make it so much harder to remember! Chinese is a little like that. Having said, of course with hard work, people can learn anything. With languages, definitely exposure and usage are important factors.<br /><br />MY: I know! I think it's ridiculous that babies are being sent for enrichment classes. The world is going crazy!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-80537128159455842362011-01-12T08:50:27.097+08:002011-01-12T08:50:27.097+08:00not just kids in primary school go for tuitions wh...not just kids in primary school go for tuitions which may not be necessary for them, even babies of less than a year old also have enrichment classes like the GUG, LNT, etc which again may not be nessary for them too!<br /><br />~ myAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-62492805083678387202011-01-12T08:08:11.061+08:002011-01-12T08:08:11.061+08:00I think Chinese is easier to learn because it has ...I think Chinese is easier to learn because it has less rules. In a way, it is idiot proof, but you do have to be hardworking and consistent to accumulate enough characters that you can recognise. We probably don't hear of the opposite case because this is Singapore, not China or Taiwan. The environment is different, the impetus of learners are different. <br /><br />I believe there's no replacement for reading widely, be it English or Chinese. However, memorising phrases CAN help, and it's good to have a store knowledge of idioms and sayings, and it's good to go through the basics of languages in a systematic manner. After that, it's reading, and listening (radio, audiobooks, good shows) that will help to improve usage and provide context for what has been learnt. My dad's Mandarin used to be terrible. After he got hooked onto some Taiwanese soaps - wow! He could spout couplets and sayings from the show! LOL! <br /><br />I read about the China girls. One of them read and wrote a composition EVERYDAY as practise. She later upped it to writing two compositions a day. She has definitely gone beyond memorising phrases. <br /><br />irisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-22011143549360835932011-01-11T11:51:55.903+08:002011-01-11T11:51:55.903+08:00TW: I know what you mean. We just have to look lon...TW: I know what you mean. We just have to look long term and be firm in what we believe in.<br /><br />I've always maintained that English is easier to learn than Chinese but the Chinese chauvinists will always shoot that down, I guess cos it's not politically correct. But I've heard countless cases of kids going from zero English to an A grade in 2 years but never heard of doing the same for Chinese. Surely that must mean something?monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-58817608490944932232011-01-11T11:42:27.272+08:002011-01-11T11:42:27.272+08:00My son does not have tuition except for CL creativ...My son does not have tuition except for CL creative writing. However, whenever I hear of others with tuition in many/all their subjects, I often wonder if I am depriving my kid to learn more than what is taught in school. It can be difficult to act against the current, ie, not to follow the herd mentality. I am glad that so far so good. Luckily for us, my son is doing ok in school. Sure, he is not the top boy but he is happy to have time with his lego, books, computer, MTV etc. I hope we will not succumb to the pressures from the rest. <br /><br />btw, on memorising phrases or compo, it seems to work for those China girls who scored 9A1s from Crescent girls sec school. I guess it is a quick way to see tangible results. How ah - to get good marks or to be creative? Sigh<br /><br />twAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-83774231860780295202011-01-10T23:44:46.412+08:002011-01-10T23:44:46.412+08:00Iris: Absolutely, I've written numerous times ...Iris: Absolutely, I've written numerous times in this blog against the practice of using such "creative" phrases for composition.monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-23023214794685965852011-01-10T23:06:20.472+08:002011-01-10T23:06:20.472+08:00Does no one else see the irony of attending cookie...Does no one else see the irony of attending cookie cutter classes for *creative* writing? SIL, who is an EL teacher at a prestigious primary school, says she can always tell who have gone for creative writing classes - they all use the same phrases! <br /><br />IrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-18219482147134211462011-01-10T20:09:44.971+08:002011-01-10T20:09:44.971+08:00Anon: I wouldn't rule it out but I suspect the...Anon: I wouldn't rule it out but I suspect these are in the minority and they've probably inherited the same crutch mentality, from their parents or peers. Perfectionism and kiasu-ism are 2 different things, I hope people won't rationalise their kiasu behaviour as "perfectionistic" just so they can continue to perpetuate it.monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-68708189100526564532011-01-10T19:41:19.849+08:002011-01-10T19:41:19.849+08:00I just like to add that some of these students are...I just like to add that some of these students are the ones asking for the tuition themselves and driving themselves towards the perfect score by skipping sleep etc. <br />I do not know if this is call kiasuism or should I say they are perfectionists. But I know their parents can't do much about it but it could be a good problem to have since the kids are so driven themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-89209837473761167682011-01-10T17:20:42.490+08:002011-01-10T17:20:42.490+08:00Jo: I think I can guess which tuition centre your ...Jo: I think I can guess which tuition centre your kids are at :P Arrrrghh... once again, it's about memorising those "good" phrases for compo. <br /><br />I understand the dilemma of working parents - you have a time constraint and don't have time to review the work with your kids. But I know you're level-headed enough to discern what is necessary. Good luck and I'm sure both your girls will do you proud!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-57507931915933424342011-01-10T16:56:49.470+08:002011-01-10T16:56:49.470+08:00After a couple of years of trying to tutor my 2 gi...After a couple of years of trying to tutor my 2 girls I have also waved the white flag and sent them for English enrichment. Why ?<br /><br />Being a working mum it's hard to help 2 primary school kids concurrently, I managed with 1 but when the 2nd started school last year I struggled with it...but managed to survive with only just chinese enrichment.<br /><br />This year I realised due to time constraints and CCAs, I don't have the luxury of time to help them in compo, math & science ! And..also, admittedly I am quite tired of tutoring them in all their subjects. <br /><br />So, even though we were against the idea of putting them in English class (concept is so foreign 'cause my hubby and I never had any tuition for english ever), I finally caved in and registered them both at a well-known "Learning" place end of last year. My hubby supported my decision but I think he felt it was bordering on the absurd !<br /><br />To my surprise, we kept on bumping into so many people we knew when we brought the girls for their lessons. <br /><br />So it's been 3 weeks since we started - I realised creative writing is about who can use the best and hardest vocabulary/phrases ! My hubby was amused by phases like "cerulean sky" and "gobsmacked" (did I even spell that correctly??) Surely I never used these during my PSLE days and I don't think it made an impact on my English grades :PJonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-61768546815118597802011-01-10T12:06:59.687+08:002011-01-10T12:06:59.687+08:00This post was very thought provoking. I think that...This post was very thought provoking. I think that something needs to be done about this situation because it is getting out of hand.Zoobie Petshttp://www.zoobiepetspillow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-11296104619641851222011-01-09T14:19:38.396+08:002011-01-09T14:19:38.396+08:00Lilian: Come back and give maths tuition lor, char...Lilian: Come back and give maths tuition lor, charge a bomb and only smart kids need apply, sure full house one, keke.<br /><br />Totally agree with you on the holistic definition of education but unfortunately, most parents want the tangibles so it always boils down to grades. So scary to hear about kids who have 9 tutors. It's really impossible to have any sort of life outside of academics in that context. Wonder what type of adults they'll grow up to become?monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-9261672651142521892011-01-09T11:42:15.543+08:002011-01-09T11:42:15.543+08:00I would love to get my hand in the billion-dollar ...I would love to get my hand in the billion-dollar tuition pie! Love the quote at the bottom of your post. <br /><br />We need to rethink what being educated means. Surely this includes learning to think for yourself, being independent, reflecting, even failing and picking yourself...learning about your strengths and weaknesses, and not just in the academic area. <br /><br />Personally, I do not have any friends whose kids are 'over-tutored'. In fact, most of the kids I know only take Chinese tuition, so I don't know how prevalent this problem is. Perhaps it's a case of birds of a feather flock together...our circle of mums are the relatively relaxed type. <br /><br />But recently, I met a lady whose nieces, one of whom is in the top girls school, each have 9 tuition!!! Don't ask me how come so many, I was told they have 2 tutors per language, one tutor specifically to go thru newspapers and reading with them. They do not do anything else except academics. School CCA is library. No swimming, no outing, no dance, no music. Shocking but true.Lilianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10157427086383621265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-92103629149202745372011-01-08T22:41:44.970+08:002011-01-08T22:41:44.970+08:00Thank you for this timely reminder! At the beginni...Thank you for this timely reminder! At the beginning of each year, I go into this panic mode of deciding whether to send my girl for tuition and am glad have yet to succumb to it, except for CL. Pam :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-34662194207400264522011-01-08T15:55:17.803+08:002011-01-08T15:55:17.803+08:00Couldn't have said it better myself!Couldn't have said it better myself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com