NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[UncleLim]

Is it true or is it just me?


The few encounters I have with NUSH students, I found them to speak rather badly. I mean, they were confident looking. But grammar and diction were not impressive. On the other hand, I have hired interns who were from Hwa Chong and RI and they were much more "refined".

I am sure there are those who speak well but is bad English and Singlish the norm in NUSH?

[ngbrdad]

UncleLim:

Is it true or is it just me?


The few encounters I have with NUSH students, I found them to speak rather badly. I mean, they were confident looking. But grammar and diction were not impressive. On the other hand, I have hired interns who were from Hwa Chong and RI and they were much more \"refined\".

I am sure there are those who speak well but is bad English and Singlish the norm in NUSH?

They don't put that much emphasis on languages there.

[francbat]

i have an elder son who is in NUSHS and during one of the PTMs a couple of years ago, one other parent (whose son represented Singapore in the IMO) brought up the disparity between content covered In English lessons vs GP in RI/HCI.


I personally find the language/dialogue skills lacking in my elder son as well, which I think will put him at a disadvantage when it comes to interviews for scholarships, etc.

If you have been to the open houses of the 3 schools, you will certainly find that when interacting with RI/HCI students, they were able to convey their passion as well as love of their school much better than NUSHS students.

It is for this reason that I have decided to place my younger son at RI. Despite my younger DS being interested in mathematics, I believe that RI/HCI will provide better all-rounded character development. In addition, I have also noticed RI sweeping 9 out of 10 SMO Junior results as well as doing better in various science competitions compared to NUSHS. But this is going off tangent.

[MandyMummy]

UncleLim:

Is it true or is it just me?


The few encounters I have with NUSH students, I found them to speak rather badly. I mean, they were confident looking. But grammar and diction were not impressive. On the other hand, I have hired interns who were from Hwa Chong and RI and they were much more \"refined\".

I am sure there are those who speak well but is bad English and Singlish the norm in NUSH?

It is definitely not just you who notice that. And also not just speaking.
Their writing skills also not so fantastic. I heard that while many students there shine in their maths and sciences, they lack the skills to write a proper report and the teachers there are pretty worried about their communication skills.

[KiasuClown]

I have to admit that when I was at their Open House in 2010 I left with a similar impression regarding some students’ language skills. Our chaperone was enthusiastic and exuberant when she brought us around the school. However, her English language skills were very poor. My then Pri 4 DD was also able to pick this up and we had to discuss this issue briefly. I rationalized then that it must have been a ‘special case’. In the ‘real world’, an individual’s ability to express themselves clearly - speech & writing - is absolutely critical. Not expressing oneself clearly may lead some people to assume that an individual is ‘not smart’. In the ‘real world’, we don’t always have a chance to prove our capabilities through standardized tests. Impressions count a lot. We have FT working amidst us that have superior communication skills but little in substance. I hope that NUSHS will highlight this issue internally and undertake changes to make improvements so that the highly talented students/graduates do not lose out when they are out in the ‘real world’.

[phtthp]

you are right.


when candidate go for an interview, if one can’t articulate or express his thoughts clearly and confidently, in the eyes of interviewers, he’s deemed ‘not so good’ - compared to another candidate who can express himself and his ideas clearly across, with direct eye to eye contact. It’s first impression within that few split seconds that count and determine whether interviewer should take A or B for that same job.

no point just being good technically in Maths and Science only. Communication & impression comes first normally, next is the substance.

i’m surprised that NUSH overlook this aspect. It’s high time the school need to do something … where English, communication and presentation are concerned.

[happymum8]

Aiyo, I think maybe you have met those who are not so articulate.


My DD is already in year 5 in NUS High, I’ve met so many students who are able to speak well and confidently.

They are also doing what other JCs are doing for English and many have also won awards in English writing, Oral competition etc…

With good command of English but with no subtance (they are really very indepth in their Maths and Science syllabus), the students will soon be be out of the interviews too…

Many batches of graduates are in various uni and they are really doing very well. Professors are amazed of their knowledge and are most willing to take in more of such high calibre students in future.

[phtthp]

hi happymum8,


can students from NUSH enter Dentistry ?

[walterp]

phtthp:

hi happymum8,


can students from NUSH enter Dentistry ?

I can boldly say that those NUSHS students who did (advance) research in life sciences including medical related areas would clearly have an advantage over their \"A\" level counterparts in seeking medicine or dentistry in NUS or NTU. That's the obvious advantage of NUSH over others.

[happymum8]

phtthp:

hi happymum8,


can students from NUSH enter Dentistry ?

Yes they can. They can apply any courses, cause ALL of them do Maths.

I understand that for such a small cohort of students, already 10 are admitted to Medicine at NUS for this recent year.