Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[jedamum]

nonKiasu:

She said that if we go for holiday, she can issue us the refund in vouchers to be paid for next term, if we show them our passport. So troublesome! It also means cash can only go into their pocket but definitely not out of theirs!

But for other types of enrichment, usually they don't entertain any make up lessons or even refund, right?

[metz]

jedamum:

I agree.
Am hoping that by the time ds2 is in K1, the P3 ds1 will be 'weaned' of berries and be more independent in learning chinese...cos 2 kids attending Berries can really burn a hole in a single income pocket.

Exactly! I am 'weaning' my son starting next year. Wish me luck
[quote]But for other types of enrichment, usually they don't entertain any make up lessons or even refund, right? [/quote]Not true leh. Just found out that Eduplus allows students to have make up lessons too. And so do some Art schools. As for refunds, it's in vouchers. (this is really a plus point)

nonkiasu:

It also means cash can only go into their pocket but definitely not out of theirs!

What an apt description! Despite me notifying them of my intention early, their policy insists that I should pay the entire Term 3 fee. They would then refund me the unconsumed lessons via vouchers (to be utilised upon my return). I really see no reason why I should be bound in such a way. Upon my refusal to do so, they requested a written email/note and if possible, a photocopy of my air tickets too. I was like :? If I had known it's so troublesome, I wouldn't even bother to continue into Term 3. But I must say the counter staff are very understanding and helpful, which makes the situation a whole lot less unpleasant for me.

[nonKiasu]

chamonix:

As for refunds, it's in vouchers. (this is really a plus point)

?? why plus point ?? We have to go back to them to utlisised! Not ntuc voucher leh!

chamonix:

What an apt description! Despite me notifying them of my intention early, their policy insists that I should pay the entire Term 3 fee. They would then refund me the unconsumed lessons via vouchers (to be utilised upon my return). I really see no reason why I should be bound in such a way. Upon my refusal to do so, they requested a written email/note and if possible, a photocopy of my air tickets too. I was like :? If I had known it's so troublesome, I wouldn't even bother to continue into Term 3.

Yap, then why don't threaten them that you will stop Term 3 then. Of course, you must be prep to ready stop the term in case they still don't give way.

[jedamum]

nonKiasu:

chamonix:

As for refunds, it's in vouchers. (this is really a plus point)

?? why plus point ?? We have to go back to them to utlisised! Not ntuc voucher leh!

can sell to other parents to use anot??

[metz]

nonKiasu:

?? why plus point ?? We have to go back to them to utlisised! Not ntuc voucher leh!

If the kid is still with the course the following term, then at least it can still be utitlised. Unlike my kids' violin lessons, missing lessons is as good as throwing money away . So, even if they are not feeling too well, die die must still attend.

[quote]Yap, then why don't threaten them that you will stop Term 3 then. Of course, you must be prep to ready stop the term in case they still don't give way.[/quote]You bet I am all ready to call quits. Anyway, they will get back to me only next week.

Let me know how yours went this weekend. Should be pretty straightforward.

jedamum:

can sell to other parents to use anot??

Unfortunately, no. The vouchers are only transferrable to siblings.

[nonKiasu]

chamonix:

Let me know how yours went this weekend. Should be pretty straightforward.

Yap, you are right, it's straightforward. But I asked if I can buy Term 3 book. And they say NO, (expected!!) can only buy books of those terms that are over and not future. I asked why not? Their reply, it's for student who didn't attend and have to catch up to current term. So I 'shun' them saying isn't this an edu centre that wants people to learn? Why can't I purchase book? I worry my children can't catch up with Term 4 when they return. Guess their reply? Ha, they said if I revise with my children using Term 1 and 2 books, they should have no problem catching up!
I laugh my way home, I thot that is a stupid way to run biz. It jsut prove that I am I right! It's ok to skip 1 term to save some money. My sons first attend K1 without knowing almost any chinese character. After Term 1, it's leap and bounds. Then I notice the increamental knowledge they gained in Term 2 from Term 1 is marginal. So, my gut feel is that attemding Term 3 will gain another small steps and can do without it. I am right!!!

[Picolo]

Just take it that this is their policy la… can buy old materials, but not future’s. BTW, if you decide to take another break, you’ll have to fork out for registration fee again. This is also their policy.


So far BERRIES has been firm in carrying out the practices so that it is fair to all parents who made similar requests. They are running a business and let’s not make things difficult for them.

If you want to save money, long term, expose your kids to more Chinese at home. Read with your kids interesting Chinese books, buy or borrow Chinese books for him. Invest some time to revise Chinese textbooks with him. Speak more mandarin. I’ve weaned my kids off BERRIES for sometime now. So far, so good. You need to be disciplined and think long term to make things work. I just have too many friends who just send their kids for enrichment classes but other than that, there’s little involvement in understanding their kids’ learning needs. So, the huge investments may not guarantee success.

[nonKiasu]

I asked them abt the reg fee and they said there will be no reg fee within 2 years of break.


Sure, I speak Mandarin with my children at home. Just need want them to recognise words by attending classes bec the primary school abt 100m away from my house happened to be a SAP school.
It is tough teaching all 3 myself - not much time left after dinner everyday.

[metz]

nonKiasu:

Yap, you are right, it's straightforward. But I asked if I can buy Term 3 book. And they say NO, (expected!!) can only buy books of those terms that are over and not future.

Which means you can still purchase the Term 3 books, but only in Term 4? I suppose Berries doesn't want to encourage parents buying the books only. On hindsight, Berries can also look into expanding their business by providing educational materials. I sent my kids to Berries because there are no 'textbooks' for preschoolers. I would be a potential customer if such materials exist.

nonKiasu:

It jsut prove that I am I right! It's ok to skip 1 term to save some money. My sons first attend K1 without knowing almost any chinese character. After Term 1, it's leap and bounds. Then I notice the increamental knowledge they gained in Term 2 from Term 1 is marginal. So, my gut feel is that attemding Term 3 will gain another small steps and can do without it. I am right!!!

Glad that you share my sentiment too! If that's what your thoughts on Berries' K1, then K2 will even be more disappointing. A friend pointed out that the kids are not learning many new words in each lesson. I went through my son's K2 materials and found that them rahther repetitive. There might be a couple of new words here and there, but not many. The only explanation I can think of is Berries concentrates more on Han Yu Pin Yin from Term 2 onwards. You might want to take a good look at K2 materials before deciding to continue on next year. Another centre for enrichment to consider is Busy Bees. According to my friend, Busy Bees teaches far more vocab than Berries. Not sure how true that is.

Finally decided to pull out from Berries after this term. They are pretty rigid about the payment, so I suppose this is it. My son is a little upset cos he really likes the teacher there. But it's good news for me - the savings for 2 kids is a rather hefty amount. :lol:

Picolo:

If you want to save money, long term, expose your kids to more Chinese at home. Read with your kids interesting Chinese books, buy or borrow Chinese books for him. Invest some time to revise Chinese textbooks with him. Speak more mandarin. I've weaned my kids off BERRIES for sometime now. So far, so good. You need to be disciplined and think long term to make things work. I just have too many friends who just send their kids for enrichment classes but other than that, there's little involvement in understanding their kids' learning needs. So, the huge investments may not guarantee success.

That's exactly my intention!

[nonKiasu]

chamonix:

Which means you can still purchase the Term 3 books, but only in Term 4? I suppose Berries doesn't want to encourage parents buying the books only.

Yes. I think so too.

chamonix:

On hindsight, Berries can also look into expanding their business by providing educational materials. I sent my kids to Berries because there are no 'textbooks' for preschoolers. I would be a potential customer if such materials exist.

I don't think the earning from class lesson is much much higher than selling books. I too find the book great and will be their potential customer.

chamonix:

..Another centre for enrichment to consider is Busy Bees. According to my friend, Busy Bees teaches far more vocab than Berries.

Thanks, just checked it out. It is at Bt Timah!! Too far from my house at Tampines. I am too sourcing for alternatives. I saw Yu Quan conducting at RC. Anyone knows what is the diff between this and the Yu Quan main branch? The course fee at RC is so much cheaper. $58 per 4 lessons!