Comparing English Enrichment Programmes
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metz:
I feel that as every child is different...what works for 1 child may not work for another. Getting a good and right teacher who can motivate & \"click\" with the child is also very important. It is not just TAS. I know of a girl who is doing well in TLL, she said that TLL helped her a lot but TLL did not work for her brother. It doesn't mean the centre is no good, just that different kids....Shan:
DS2 was in TAS a few years back. Remembered that had to take test to assess...and there were 1 or 2 kids in higher level in his class. For DS2, TAS did not work for him (not cos it is not good) as I think the big class size was not able to help him as he is about average in standard. And my boy gets distracted in big class size.
Yes, I remember them having to take assessment tests. The test is more to place them on the right level.
But to be fair, TAS seems to be working for my nephew, but not my niece (his older sister). Though she's also another P5 who has finished the P6 syllabus at TAS, my sis feels her compo writing has yet to meet her expectation.
Erm, my niece's results are consistently above 80 but not beyond 90... -
Good post!
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A relative had taken out her daughter P1 from Mavis Tutorial Centre n put her in Growan.
Apparently, she said can see improvement in daughter English in Growan compared with when daughter was in Mavis…any Growan parents can feedback? -
Shan:
My sentiment exactly. Each centre is unique in its way of teaching and materials. What works for one child may not work for another. Hence, it's irrelevant to talk about how one particular centre has worked wonders for some children where other centres have 'failed' them in this thread. Every enrichement centre will have its fair share of students with excellent results. If anybody wants to share testimonials about a particular centre, it would be more appropriate to share their satisfaction under the centre thread.
I feel that as every child is different...what works for 1 child may not work for another. Getting a good and right teacher who can motivate & \"click\" with the child is also very important. It is not just TAS. I know of a girl who is doing well in XXX, she said that XXX helped her a lot but XXX did not work for her brother. It doesn't mean the centre is no good, just that different kids....
As this thread is for comparing programmes, it will be beneficial if posters can focus on the programmes and be more forthcoming on how they are being conducted. With a better understanding of the various programmes, parents can then make a more informed choice on centres suitable for their children. -
metz:
While I slightly agree, I would also like to add that it is good for parents to voice out which centres work for their kids so that those of us who are considering centres for our children would be able to make informed decisions. It will be easier for parents then to shortlist the few centres that parents recommend and come to a good decision for our children.
My sentiment exactly. Each centre is unique in its way of teaching and materials. What works for one child may not work for another. Hence, it's irrelevant to talk about how one particular centre has worked wonders for some children where other centres have 'failed' them in this thread. Every enrichement centre will have its fair share of students with excellent results. If anybody wants to share testimonials about a particular centre, it would be more appropriate to share their satisfaction under the centre thread.Shan:
I feel that as every child is different...what works for 1 child may not work for another. Getting a good and right teacher who can motivate & \"click\" with the child is also very important. It is not just TAS. I know of a girl who is doing well in XXX, she said that XXX helped her a lot but XXX did not work for her brother. It doesn't mean the centre is no good, just that different kids....
As this thread is for comparing programmes, it will be beneficial if posters can focus on the programmes and be more forthcoming on how they are being conducted. With a better understanding of the various programmes, parents can then make a more informed choice on centres suitable for their children.
No doubt different centres would have different teachers who make up their teaching staff...but those good and recommended centres by parents would definitely be one that would have good teachers as well...after all why would parents recommend centres with good curriculum but with horrid teachers?
My take on picking good centres for my child:
Well- Defined Curriculum + Good Dedicated Teachers = Perfect Choice :rahrah: -
bamadexi:
You have misunderstood my post. I would say the success of a programme depends on more than just the materials and teachers.
While I slightly agree, I would also like to add that it is good for parents to voice out which centres work for their kids so that those of us who are considering centres for our children would be able to make informed decisions. It will be easier for parents then to shortlist the few centres that parents recommend and come to a good decision for our children.
No doubt different centres would have different teachers who make up their teaching staff...but those good and recommended centres by parents would definitely be one that would have good teachers as well...after all why would parents recommend centres with good curriculum but with horrid teachers?
My take on picking good centres for my child:
Well- Defined Curriculum + Good Dedicated Teachers = Perfect Choice :rahrah:
In any case, my post is meant to encourage everyone to share their experiences and how a particular centre has or has not worked for their DC. Be it teachers who go beyond the call of duty, excellent materials, conducive classrooms, or group size etc, such info are definitely useful to many readers. Lovinglife gave a very good summary on the LP preschool program. The summary is something that I would share with my friends why LP should be even on their radars for their preschoolers.
At the same time, sharing of unfortunate instances where a particular centre has been unsuccessful for a child are strongly welcome too. But do give the readers some insight on why things did not work out for the child. For instance, Shan shared TAS didn't work for her DS2 and why it didn't. Indeed, the big class size is something for parents to ponder upon when considering TAS.
Peace. -
Am thinking there should be common variables for parents to compare, if this is what this thread is all about
For instance,
1) Teachers-Student Ratio
2) Profile/Credentials of teachers
3) Prog Details/Scope (focus on creative writing or grammar or what?)
4) Methodology (e.g. go by Theme > Parts of speech; or Basic Grammar grinding > Macro writing exercises; or Energizers > Storytelling or poetry or what??)
5) Duration vs Course fees (so per hour = $$? )
6) Kid also attending any other enrichment (double dosage to plug gaps)
7) Kid's own preschool or parents have taught basic phonics and literacy etc yet? (i.e. diff vantage points)
Frequency of classes
9) Location/environment (cramped? stuffy? above noisy bus interchange?)
10) Value-added (before-after ROI/success stories - big jump or no change?)
11) Homework (parental involvement? workload?)
12) Got Term break or not? (some have no break during June and Dec hols, so u must be prepared to pay and pay all year round)
Lastly,
13) Are all the major players in the market reviewed in this thread? Answer is no. Some of the leading enrichment centres have been blocked, so readers of this thread need to be mindful they are only reading abt a fraction of the established players. Not a complete picture...
Best is to assess own kid's ability first, then GO THERE personally to find out from the horses. Ask for permission to view the classrooms, to peek at ongoing classes and the teachers. -
TAS did not work for my DD1. However IM still impressed :salute: wif eir materials, eir young & energetic trs, :imcool: e lively & engaging lessons my DD attended & not forgetting e friendly & helpful admin staff. It did not work for my DD1 as she can't concentrate wif a big class size. Her results had been slipping :imdrowning: thus e red alert :?: to switch her to a ctr wif smaller class size.
Sadly by e X we decided to try LP, she did not clear eir entrance test
. By P3, LP's students would oredi be pretty gd. Luckily we still managed to find another ctr wif small class size & pretty gd materials too. 
She had since improved. I do not tink it's becos tis ctr's materials is more superior but rather the small class size.
Wif tis experience, I realised tat the sch may be gd but it may not be suitable for our kids. It's not easy to find e rite fit so we shld not be too hard on sch which appears 'choosy' abt eir students. Even if LP accepted my DD1 then, she may not benefit if she's not able to follow e lessons. I rather noe her weakness at P3 and slowly helped her build e foundation. Hope tis sharing helps. -
Yes, class size & the teacher are 2 crucial factors.
Weekday class normally lesser kids, compared to weekend classes.
Weekend classes can be filled to the maximum capacity.
Better to go for weekday lessons, for Tas. -
Any comments on The Write Connection and Eagle Wings? Looking for P4 good enrichment classes next year for my DD. She is currently doing pretty well in her P3 english but would like to enhance her creative writing. Thks.
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