The Alternative Story (TAS) - Discussion

[ridcully]

Thanks, antebellum. I appreciate that.


I meet too many kids who get the wrong answers on their school worksheets but in fact are merely following what they have been taught. I wonder how many parents tell them off when the kids meekly reply, \"But teacher said it's like that!\"? These days, I give the benefit of the doubt to the kids.

:celebrate:

[ridcully]

quirkymum:

The errors I believe are made as a a result of a lack of proof-reading or typo errors.

We will have to agree to disagree. The poster from TAS did not know fundamentals such as what a linking verb and false subject are, and refused to accept my correction; it is not a case of lack of proof-reading.


Anyway, I have said my bit for this thread. Everyone knows where I stand.

Rgds
R

[pixiedust]

We are humans so we make mistakes. I believe even linguistic experts make mistakes.


As parent, whether my perception of the teacher/center's expert knowledge will or will not be affected depending on the severity of the error - is it fundamental concepts or rare rules? Also, more importantly, how the teacher response to the correction. For these, I think we can leave to individual parents to decide.

However, I DO want to know when the errors are made - for this, I thank Ridcully for stepping out and with clear explanations. For the perhaps less-than-pleasant tone in some earlier postings, my perception is Ridcully is passionate about the English language and also lower tolerance for a center/teacher reputated in coaching the language. For me, apology is noted.

It is nice to see parents stepping forward to speak up for both sides.
Let's move on.

[markfch]

antebellum:

The problem is that most parents cannot judge for themselves whether a tuition teacher's English is really good or not. They are happy enough when their kids' English compositions improve by a few marks, which could be due to the fact that TAS makes their kids memorize model compositions, and not because the quality of the teachers are good.

Er antebellum,
Since quality is an uncountable noun, shouldn't it be 'the quality of the teachers is good?' I'm highlighting this only because I saw in your profile that you're a service provider.

[jojo]

Hi R

ridcully:

quirkymum and coolit, and others
I have already apologised. May I ask you to be gracious and accept an apology when it is given.

I find that your apologise is insincere. Silence is Golden

For the record, I did not attack TAS. In fact, reading through some of the earlier postings by TAS in this thread, I must say that the answers are very helpful and accurate. What I attacked was the latest poster from TAS reassuring a parent that his/her English was up to the mark when in fact this clearly was not the case, at least on the basis of the proffered postings. Maybe after a good cup of coffee, that poster is completely different.


Thank you for reading my previous posts. What you will notice is that I only challenge people, usually from tuition centres, who purport to teach English well, but then who make several mistakes in their advice. If you are happy to remain in blissful ignorance about what is being taught to your children, then that is your prerogative; and you do not have to read my postings. But yes, perhaps I should be kinder in my expression.

You did more damage? are you sincere abt your sorry??
If you are implying that I am a competitor throwing mud at others, then you are very much mistaken. Although I teach, I have never revealed where I work nor promoted the place. Several parents have emailed me seeking private tuition and I have refused. In contrast, the tuition centres I challenge in this forum are commercial entities actively promoting themselves and seeking your dollars. Let the buyer beware.

This can be another \"defa***tion. Everyone has their choice and you have your too. damage after damage, \"sigh\"

Yes, one of my friends, did seek your advice to improve her dd English, you gave her a reference and get the book from popular.
Do you know that, as a parent (non teacher) we had a hard time to look for ctr and some ctr shut heir door and asked we to send out child somewhere else. If TAS has done a bad job and could not teach, i dont think it can grow marvelously within less than 2 years.
The nail which stands out takes a chance in getting hammered down. It is easy for you to post saying \"I don't like that!\", but you should ask yourselves whether you really try to help others here, or do you simply consume others' knowledge and advice?

Rgds
R

Sorry, my english also that that good hor.... as i know you was a british teacher and have a master's degree in Education, specialising in English

[jedamum]

Hi Ridcully,

Thanks for your active participation in English-related threads in this forum.

Hi TAS,
Thanks for your active participation in TAS-related threads in this forum.
__________

I look forward to every posting that is relevant to my kid's level.
Folks, let's move on.
:celebrate:

[PiggyLalala]

jedamum:

Hi Ridcully,

Thanks for your active participation in English-related threads in this forum.

Hi TAS,
Thanks for your active participation in TAS-related threads in this forum.
__________

I look forward to every posting that is relevant to my kid's level.
Folks, let's move on.
:celebrate:

I shared the same view as jedamum. Let's move on.
I am always very grateful to Ridcully for his clear explanation when answering the questions related to english in this forum. In my opionion his explanation is one of the best. Maybe this could be because he has been an ENGLISH teacher with 30 years of experience. I think it is a treasure to have him here in the forum. Also I do not find his apology insincere. Thank you so much Ridcully. :thankyou:

However, we should not be too harsh on TAS too. I believe that even the current school teachers can made the same mistakes as what TAS had made in their posts, especially the one on regarding missing subjects or objects.

[jasmineong]

Yes, move on. Tks Ridcully for your explanations but thanks TAS for your great posts and your teachers as well. I am always glad that I came to find out about your centre and gain from sending my kids there.


But let us all remain on friendly terms and go on from here

[stressedmom]

Yes, let’s move on. Let this be a place for parents to share and learn from one another.


Been reading quite many positive feedback on TAS. Thanks to all for sharing your experience. I’ll signing up my kid with TAS. Hopefully, I can come back here soon to also share my experience.

[shoppingqueen1309]

Hi all,


I just read all that hoo-haa about TAS. Well, although I don't know TAS very well, I believe that whatever that is said shouldn't be out there as a form of personal attack. ( I'm not saying that anyone is attempting to) but yeah. Everyone makes mistakes. Let move on. I would love to know more about TAS.