Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[hquek]

titank:

Hi Hquek,
Can share how the chinese enrichment from SHHK? Must be member then can sign up for the course? Is the group size in the class considewr big?

Hi titank,

They have different classes for different levels. From N1 to K1, there's 乐乐华语班. It's basically like what you get in Berries, only theirs is story version (Berries version dun have story, just sentence) and there is no hanyupinyin at that level. It's quite fun - so far there are 3 teachers to the class (about 12 -15 I think). Kids bring back mini readers, they will read to the teacher previous week materials. For younger levels, there is a bit bit of writing (more of stroke style) and mini worksheet. For K1 then it will be writing whole words - but it's pretty basic and not a lot of writing.

学前认读班 is for K2 prep. They have 1 sheet of text that I think kids have to read aloud - it's a lot of words. Then there is a sheet containing sentences relating to the text...not sure how that comes in. And followed by writing. Each week, I find he has to write anything from 4 to 8 characters - each repeat about 12 times. This class is comparatively quieter (compared with the noisy setting of the above)...whilst waiting for class to end, I thought they were having exams. Class size I think is about 15 to 1 teacher.

Mine are weekend classes, so sizes can be big. I understand that the sizes for weekday classes (if available) can be smaller in comparison.

For primary/secondary, they have creative writing classes also, but that one I not very clear. Next year lah....when DS1 goes P1, I will sign up for those classes.

For S&D, there are again different levels depending on how old your child is. My son is in k2, 2nd year of S&D. They have different teachers who run around the classes - one will handle the lang song, another the story telling etc...the teachers seem very fun type.

What I am impressed is that a lot of teachers in SHHK are locals, but their mandarin is impeccable. And thus far, the teachers bond very well with the kids.

SHHK members get some discount off the courses, but their courses are open to all. Registration starts in Oct, but you can always enquire if there is a timing available. one disadvantage of SHHK vs Berries is that if you miss the class, there is no make up - over means over. BTW, they also have an assortment of other courses like calligraphy, kids art, kids percussion, and even chinese dance.

(I think I'm walking commercial for them)

[blueblue]

Many thanks hquek & MMM! will seriously consider to put my son in S & D then…

[cloubhappy.05320live.05320com]

Any1 with child at N2 with Berries at Orchard?

[corneyAmber]

Can any kind mommies/daddies here provide feedback on Tien Hsia re. their primary school chinese programs? What are the activities they do in class? Did your kids enjoy the lessons? My son is currently in P1 studying higher chinese.


TIA

[raeshaecheong]

Anyone who sends yr K1 kid to Jiang Laoshi?

Any comments?

[Daddy D]

hquek:

Hi titank,

They have different classes for different levels. From N1 to K1, there's 乐乐华语班. It's basically like what you get in Berries, only theirs is story version (Berries version dun have story, just sentence) and there is no hanyupinyin at that level. It's quite fun - so far there are 3 teachers to the class (about 12 -15 I think). Kids bring back mini readers, they will read to the teacher previous week materials. For younger levels, there is a bit bit of writing (more of stroke style) and mini worksheet. For K1 then it will be writing whole words - but it's pretty basic and not a lot of writing.

学前认读班 is for K2 prep. They have 1 sheet of text that I think kids have to read aloud - it's a lot of words. Then there is a sheet containing sentences relating to the text...not sure how that comes in. And followed by writing. Each week, I find he has to write anything from 4 to 8 characters - each repeat about 12 times. This class is comparatively quieter (compared with the noisy setting of the above)...whilst waiting for class to end, I thought they were having exams. Class size I think is about 15 to 1 teacher.

Mine are weekend classes, so sizes can be big. I understand that the sizes for weekday classes (if available) can be smaller in comparison.

For primary/secondary, they have creative writing classes also, but that one I not very clear. Next year lah....when DS1 goes P1, I will sign up for those classes.

For S&D, there are again different levels depending on how old your child is. My son is in k2, 2nd year of S&D. They have different teachers who run around the classes - one will handle the lang song, another the story telling etc...the teachers seem very fun type.

What I am impressed is that a lot of teachers in SHHK are locals, but their mandarin is impeccable. And thus far, the teachers bond very well with the kids.

SHHK members get some discount off the courses, but their courses are open to all. Registration starts in Oct, but you can always enquire if there is a timing available. one disadvantage of SHHK vs Berries is that if you miss the class, there is no make up - over means over. BTW, they also have an assortment of other courses like calligraphy, kids art, kids percussion, and even chinese dance.

(I think I'm walking commercial for them)

I'm also looking S&D for my gal... but think registration is over.
Need to be HK to be SHHK member?

[MMM]

Daddy

I'm also looking S&D for my gal... but think registration is over. Need to be HK to be SHHK member?

You might want to consider Mdm Koh's S&D class at Han Language in Fu Lu Shou. She is a retired SAP school teacher and is currently focusing on Chinese S&D. Her student range from K1 to Sec 2. But she usually accept the student by latest P2. She came highly recommended by my kid's school teacher. I asked for recommendation on SHHK and she recommended me Mdm Koh instead for the proven results.

In addition, I believe Mdm Koh also currently teaches S&D in SAP school and in our case, I heard the students she teach are based on selection type.

Quite a no. of parents in KSP have sent their kids to her class (mainly preschool program). So far, the kids enjoyed themselves. For myself, my kids are with her K1-K2, P1-P2 and P3-P4 classes.

Personally, I saw 2009 year end performance put up by her students (from P1 to Sec 1) and it was awesome. You probably thought those kids were from China with the level of spoken mandarin and their ability to play kuai ban. Also quite a no. of them also performed xiang sheng. BUT the funny thing is that after performance, the kids will speak in english or those less accented singapore chinese. I personally hope that with a couple of years with Mdm Koh, my kids can have that level of results too.

S&D will definitely help in oral exams which is growing in emphasis (realised during recent meet the parents session that it has the same weightage as compo papers - 20% or 25%). In addition, over time, it will enable to kids to learn more chinese words given that they need to memorise those rao kou ling,etc...

[hquek]

Daddy

I'm also looking S&D for my gal... but think registration is over.

Need to be HK to be SHHK member?

Hi Daddy D,

Yes, someone (you/spouse) need to be HK to be SHHK member. But non-member also can join the S&D classes. Although registration is long over (around Oct time), but they still have vacancies for some classes. Understand that the next term is starting in March. You can always call up the office to enquire about the available timings/fees (this info also available on their webpage http://www.shhkact.com.sg).

Note. Classes only at Toa Payoh (near Lor 1). But I've seen my kids' classmates coming from Sengkang....and twice in the same day also.

[Daddy D]

MMM:

You might want to consider Mdm Koh's S&D class at Han Language in Fu Lu Shou. She is a retired SAP school teacher and is currently focusing on Chinese S&D. Her student range from K1 to Sec 2. But she usually accept the student by latest P2. She came highly recommended by my kid's school teacher.

Thanks... will check her out

[Daddy D]

hquek:

Hi Daddy D,

Yes, someone (you/spouse) need to be HK to be SHHK member. But non-member also can join the S&D classes. Although registration is long over (around Oct time), but they still have vacancies for some classes. Understand that the next term is starting in March. You can always call up the office to enquire about the available timings/fees (this info also available on their webpage http://www.shhkact.com.sg).

Note. Classes only at Toa Payoh (near Lor 1). But I've seen my kids' classmates coming from Sengkang....and twice in the same day also.

Thanks.... saw their website... will call n ask.
I stay in TPY... so that's the beauty of it
Tried Berries @ Bishan.... didn't quite like it... kinda over-rated... so took my gal out.