Teachers from India join S'pore schools

[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.

[tamarind]

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.

I agree with you. The end results is that almost all kids are going to tuition, regardless of whether it is necessary

[peanut_butter]

In my schooling days, the O’level questions are quite similar to the 10-years-series assessment books. Cambridge is not that creative with exam questions. Are they getting harder? If not, can’t parents save money by getting kids to refer to the model answers?

[kwokwc]

I remember when I was working with some native Indians, for the first 1 mth, really have a hard time understanding them. When they say 'No', they keep nodding their head. When they say 'Yes', they keep shaking their head. So already trying hard to understand their English and communicating, when wants to confirm certain design issue, still trying to figuring out whether they are really saying 'Yes' or 'No'. Wonder what will happen to our kids, if the teachers are also like that.


As for tuition, I think the syllabus has changed so much, that sometimes, it is really hard for parents to teach. Both of my 2 kids don't have tuition. I won't say they are very good, but I think quite well. If nothing goes wrong, they should be in the top 10 in their school. I coach them myself, but I must say, there is some levels of difficulties. Some stuff that they learn now are what we learn in sec school (such as science, they learn human bodies, which are covered in Sec 3/4 biology). I do know some basic and sometimes need to search internet to find the reasoning.

Imagine both parents working, where to find the time and energy to coach the kids. So I think most parents push this responsibility to tutors. Quite a sad thing.

For me, if not do my own biz, can find time, there is no way to coach them myself. In fact, doing my own biz doesn't mean more income, just more flexible time.