Comparing Pre-school English Reading and Phonics Enrichment

[VooVoo]

Hi hquek,


Thanks a lot for sharing.

I've just started with them for 1 lesson and realised (I missed the orientation) that there's quite a bit to do besides reading to my son! He needs to be able to read the 8 words given out by the next lesson! :shock:

I guess your elder one started the foundation program at N2? So, their guarantee that the kid will be able to read by 5 years old is true - of coz, with the committed parent who follows their instruction? :?

[nmhmum]

Hi Voo Voo,


The foundation stage is very important. When my son was in the foundation stage, he was given the eight words to learn and need to know them by the next lesson. Being lazy, my son sometimes only learn about 5 out of 8. Now he is in the k1 class, I find that his reading is not as good. The teacher will ask him to bring back a book to read to us. But I find that he cannot read the whole book well. Some of the words needs me to read to him. The teacher says by right he should have no problem with the book given. So I assume it must be his foundation not strong.

[VooVoo]

Hi nmhmum,


Am actually quite stressed out on the 8 words to learn! Is this going to be for a year? :shock:

:oops: lazy mum here...

[nmhmum]

Hi Voovoo,


What I remember is around september, then will stop. I think that is the most stressful part too. After that, not so stressful, but need to do alot of drawing & speech bubbles followed by revising to them on the phonics sound. But to be fair, the ICL is really a good program. My son’s CC teacher even commented that my son improves alot in this English!

[VooVoo]

nmhmum:

Hi Voovoo,


What I remember is around september, then will stop. I think that is the most stressful part too. After that, not so stressful, but need to do alot of drawing & speech bubbles followed by revising to them on the phonics sound. But to be fair, the ICL is really a good program. My son's CC teacher even commented that my son improves alot in this English!

Thanks!

[nmhmum]

u are welcome.

[hquek]

hi voovoo,


I only know I start out from the beginning - guess that is foundation. I cannot remember the 8 words to learn leh - is it those flashcards? Anyway, during orientation, the principal told us that flashcards can be done in many ways. For the first time, you can show him and ask him to read…and then play with him like coming up with nonsensical sentences using those cards, or ask him a question and then get him to give the answer by picking up the right card. They are thematic so it’s easy to string them up.

When he first started out, it was writing alphabets (1 or 2 pages to fill each week). Then, he hadn’t learnt to write alphabets, it was a very tragic time for both of us. One year on, he’s comfortable writing words and sentences.

He’s now onto rhymes (reading out loud during class - I think they look out for delivery, diction etc). each week he’s to draw a picture related to the rhyme and then write a sentence on that. (He’s K1 this year).

My son’s turned 5 recently, I can’t say he’s a terrific reader, but I think he’s doing ok. Yesterday he was able to read to me a short story (one he’s never seen before) from the latest Playhouse disney; and he can read Little Men/Miss books (at least he gets the gist of the story).

Great that your child is on the program, I would highly recommend this to anyone - with the caveat that parents also got homework to do.

[Bowie]

Hi ALL,


ICL seem quite academical. So any proposal best age to start??

[nmhmum]

Bowie:

Hi ALL,


ICL seem quite academical. So any proposal best age to start??

Hi Bowie,

According to the principal of ICL, she said the best age is actually 4 years old ( Nursery ).

[VooVoo]

Thanks for your feedback, hquek!