Teachers from India join S'pore schools

[Jennifer]

I think the present Indians speak fairly well with an acceptable accent - attributable to exposure to American TV programmes.

[daddybear]

pinky:

I read from the papers the total number of teachers are about 33,000

and foreign teacher account for 2% = 660 only.

Sorry, i didn't get to read it but would like to ask, is the total number of teachers in Singapore 33,000 while FT account for 2%? Or total number recruited in the recent year 33,000 while FT account for 2% of that recruitment drive? It makes a big difference if while FT account for 2% of total but in terms of new teachers recruited, it is a higher amount.

[pinky]

daddybear:

pinky:

I read from the papers the total number of teachers are about 33,000

and foreign teacher account for 2% = 660 only.

Sorry, i didn't get to read it but would like to ask, is the total number of teachers in Singapore 33,000 while FT account for 2%? Or total number recruited in the recent year 33,000 while FT account for 2% of that recruitment drive? It makes a big difference if while FT account for 2% of total but in terms of new teachers recruited, it is a higher amount.

Oh dear, so sorry I can't recall the actual date of the papers but it was quite recently when the news of the recruitment of Indian teachers was announced. The 33,000 is the total no. teachers currently in Singapore and FT teachers constitute 2% of the total. That was why in the previous post, I was wondering if the figure was correct because if it includes childcare to University, I feel the number should be higher.

[daddybear]

No worries, I just suspected our local media was using sleight of hand statistics to "smoke" us. Its just like saying currently the fingers on your hand have turned gangrenous… but not to worry, it constitutes 2% of your bodyweight only. I would have been more concerned about the rate of infection and any decent doctor should highlight the relevant fact instead of confusing the issue.

[daisyt]

I would think, for them to teach in Sec school would be better than pri school. It is a good exposure for older kids to start adjusting their ears to adapt to different accent in English. It is definately beneficial to the kids when they are out to work.

[verykiasu2010]

jessicawongcs:

verykiasu2010:

I don't mean to be racist but I have problem understanding the other end of the phone line whenever I need to call SIA to amend my bookings


Got to tell them to speak slowly and please speak standard english

not only SIA... Monster.com call centre also and some banks too :!:

banks are not too bad because i told them \"not interested\" before they finished their first sentence. sorry no patience for such cold calling from banks

[peanut_butter]

Like Singapore, Aussies accepted many immigrates (so much that they are very concern about the sustainability of their resources). Non-native speakers speak slowly and the Aussies could understand them. When I try to converse, they would politely request for many repetition because of my Singlish accent. I speak in a fast, flat and unarticulated manner. Other nations could be struggling to understand a Singaporean accent.


I have an Indian nationality music student who speaks very rapidly because English is her first language. I remind her to slow down. When dealing with non-local students, I rise my pitch and articulate a little more to make it easier for their ears. IMO, it's good to have more exposure, even though it is quite tiring to shift through the thick accents initially.

I've heard that it's very stressful to teach in mainstream. But I am unable to verify the credibility of the source: overbearing bureaucracy, ineffective benchmarking methodology to comply, compulsory sacking of the lowest performance percentile, student discipline issues, long working hours, tons of reports to submit. The MOE may also prefer 'agreeable' teachers.

[ppnqq]

verykiasu2010:

jessicawongcs:

[quote=\"verykiasu2010\"]I don't mean to be racist but I have problem understanding the other end of the phone line whenever I need to call SIA to amend my bookings


Got to tell them to speak slowly and please speak standard english

not only SIA... Monster.com call centre also and some banks too :!:

banks are not too bad because i told them \"not interested\" before they finished their first sentence. sorry no patience for such cold calling from banks[/quote]I encountered it from Singtel's helpline and you can imagine our frustrations (the technician's and mine). :frustrated:

[tamarind]

SAHM_TAN:

hquek:

[quote=\"SAHM_TAN\"]I wonder will there be a day when parents are fed-up and just send their kids to good tutors and do not let them attend primary schools?

this called homeschooling? although I think the usual definition is where the parents undertake the actual teaching.

:lol: :lol: not referring to homeschooled kids, they have parents capable of homeschooling them till Pri 6.

I'm referring to those who don't homeschool and fed-up with the school system. Wonder will such a thing happen[/quote]I have met parents who are quite shocked that I do not send my kids to any tuition classes, they thought that everyone is doing it. All my neighbour's kids attend tuition classes, even the boy who is only 5 years old. They are attending schools and getting tuition, just to play safe

[SAHM_TAN]

I think the thinking of the parents go something like this : Kids from branded school go for tuition to keep up with each other, while kids from normal neighbourhood schools go because they want to keep up with the Jones.


But I guess there are kids who really need tuition too.