is it possible to make it without tuition

[sleepy]

Jennifer:

Lock:

Erm...after reading all the posts, I am still confused. So without tuition can or cannot make it for PSLE.


Maybe should be more specific on the term 'make it'. What about can those parents who have gone thru the PSLE experience share if without tuitions can score 250 and above?

I would use the child's results against the sch avg as a benchmark. If the results are falling behind this benchmark, then tuition might be helpful. JMHO

Or international assessment such as ICAS to benchmark against the entire cohort in the same year throughout Singapore. Although I heard not every school participated in ICAS

[Jennifer]

sleepy:

Or international assessment such as ICAS to benchmark against the entire cohort in the same year throughout Singapore. Although I heard not every school participated in ICAS

I notice that the ICAS Maths for P3 tested some topics not yet covered in P3 at the time the test was carried out. So might not be too accurate. JMHO

[Lock]

I am struggling with tuition vs no tuition for my P3 dd. Currently she has CL and Maths tuition. She used to struggle in the 2 subjects last yr and after tuition, she is doing much better this year. She also just went to Science Buddies starting July. For EL, I coach her at home. On the whole she is doing fine in all her subjects with all the tuition help she is getting.


But recently, I read a book on how kids who are reliant on tuition to do well are deprived of opportunities at independent learning and also being responsible for their own learning. In the long run, they may become incapable of looking at themselves for solutions to the problems they face and may be reliant on someone else to help solve their problems.

Hence, on one hand, I see the academic benefit from hvg tuition, but on the other, I worry abt her not becoming an independent individual. On one hand, I wld like to stop tuition and allow her the opportunities at independent learning, on the other hand, I am afraid of short-changing her as like what prancingpony mentioned. Ultimately, I am also afraid that she will end up with a lousy PSLE score with no tuition.

So will appreciate to hear all your views.

[mrswongtuition]

Lock:

But recently, I read a book on how kids who are reliant on tuition to do well are deprived of opportunities at independent learning and also being responsible for their own learning. In the long run, they may become incapable of looking at themselves for solutions to the problems they face and may be reliant on someone else to help solve their problems.

Hence, on one hand, I see the academic benefit from hvg tuition, but on the other, I worry abt her not becoming an independent individual. On one hand, I wld like to stop tuition and allow her the opportunities at independent learning, on the other hand, I am afraid of short-changing her as like what prancingpony mentioned. Ultimately, I am also afraid that she will end up with a lousy PSLE score with no tuition.

So will appreciate to hear all your views.

I encourage independent learning and even with tuition, this is possible.
It really depends on how the tutor push & prods the students, not just handing out answers.

Honestly, after teaching so many kids for years, those who are NOT independent learners are mostly those whose mums are SAHMs who sit with them to do their work.

[atutor2001]

Tuition or no tuition, I feel that we are hiding from the truth.


Put it crudely - If my kids would listen to me, no need tuition. If kid bo chap my words then need good tuition to make him chap.

Personal experience - my kids all no tuition but ok because they listen to DH. Many complained that their kids are more naughty than mind. I assure you that my youngest one is of the worst type any parent would wish to have. Rebellious, lazy, receive complaints from school so many times - so embarrassing. Somehow, my DH has a way with this kid; peaking at PSLE and now going downhill again. DH said study is like sport, cannot maintain peak form all the way for people like them - can get burn out. I am secretly praying that he would not lose control of this last one because there is still Air level to go.

[Lock]

mrswongtuition:

[

I encourage independent learning and even with tuition, this is possible.
It really depends on how the tutor push & prods the students, not just handing out answers.

Honestly, after teaching so many kids for years, those who are NOT independent learners are mostly those whose mums are SAHMs who sit with them to do their work.

What about independence on what to study and how to study?

Opps...I am a SAHM. but i do not sit with my kids to do their work. In fact, I leave all sch wk to them. But I do have to tell them what to study and what to practice.

Can you share with me how to train them to be independent even with tuition?

[Lock]

atutor2001:

Tuition or no tuition, I feel that we are hiding from the truth.

Sorry, a bit slow here. What truth are we hiding from :?

What about subject proficiency? My fear is that I may not be proficient enough in the various subjects to impart knowledge to my kids (u know how maths n science is like nowadays), then am I depriving the kids of learning from a professional?

[jedamum]

mrswongtuition:

Honestly, after teaching so many kids for years, those who are NOT independent learners are mostly those whose mums are SAHMs who sit with them to do their work.

chicken and egg issues.
are they NOT independent learners cos their SAHMs sit with them?
or their SAHMs sit with them cos they are NOT independent learners?

How about kids who are independent learners but complacent in their achievement? my dh is an independent learner. he taught himself may things including sports and games. but he only skim the surface and moved on once he knows these stuff and never excel in any; however, the skills that he learnt is that of self-teaching. i am an independent learner, but i put in 150% effort just to try to get 100% outcome; i am obsessed with perfection and frustrated cos i couldn't exceed certain mark barrier while at the same time i see fellow classmates who spent little time studying and yet can do just as well or even better than i do (maybe i could have done better with lesser time committing to try to swim by myself if i have the benefit of studying tips from external source?).
so there is a downside to being an independent learner without tuition.

[jedamum]

Lock:

What about subject proficiency? My fear is that I may not be proficient enough in the various subjects to impart knowledge to my kids (u know how maths n science is like nowadays), then am I depriving the kids of learning from a professional?

Lock,
i am at this same crossroad as you. :stupid: :stupid:

[Jennifer]

jedamum:

mrswongtuition:

Honestly, after teaching so many kids for years, those who are NOT independent learners are mostly those whose mums are SAHMs who sit with them to do their work.

chicken and egg issues.
are they NOT independent learners cos their SAHMs sit with them?
or their SAHMs sit with them cos they are NOT independent learners?

I think parents must learn to let go. It's a matter of when to let go. I coached my elder boy since P1, sent him to EL creative writing courses since I cant teach this subject, and outsourced CL when we ended up shouting at each other most of the times. I chose to let go when he was in mid P4. Sure enough there was a slip in results, but it served as a wake-up call to him. His unexpected results in P5 CA1 further jolted him to pay more attention to how he managed on his own. I always tell my hubby we must let the child fails at some pt in time so that he learns to pick himself up. IMO the earlier we let go, the better since the stakes are not so high yet. Now he is an independent learner, except when it comes to MT :oops: