Creative Horizons - Discussion

[markfch]

My ds (P1) has been with CH for almost 3 terms now. What I can say is that they have a systematic way of teaching the language and also possess pretty high expectation. DS scores from the regular compre assessments ranges from 3/12 :yikes: to 10/12. An 8/12 score will usually get the work posted in the notice board. His essay writing is usually rated only fair.


Don't get me wrong, ds is actually quite strong in English; at least his sch FT thinks so. The low score is because CH marks the exercises quite strictly. If ans not straight to the point, zero mark that kind.

I think it's unnecessary to compare between different ctrs as they each has different characteristics and target market. I strongly recommend CH, but imho, to reap maximum benefit, the child should already have a good foundation in the language as they teach pretty fast.

[Jackietang]

sleepy:

What about their eastgate branch? Is it a franchise?


Anyone has experience with that center?

Fees rather steep though at $47 each lesson

Mine are at Eastgate branch. It's not franchise. I read in another thread that the prices are comparative for English enrichment classes. Also someone suggested the reason for the cost was teachers were all U grads with teaching experience. What I am happy is that the teachers are familiar with school syllabus and give the extra touch to help my children when we need.

[sleepy]

markfch, Jackietang


Thanks for the feedback

Fees wise I'm comparing against Mind Stretcher High Achiever class (for band 1 students only) hence the impression CH fees seems rather steep comparatively.

Okay, fees aside, I'm interested to find out what is CH's differentiating factor? How big is the class size? Its strenght is in creative writing or both paper 1 & 2?

Appreciate your sharing. Thanks so much!


Jackietang
PM you.

[markfch]

sleepy,


What is CH’s differentiating factor? Sorry I didn’t have too much experience with different enrichment ctrs so I can’t really compare. Personally, the things I like about CH - at least in the Palais Renaissance branch - are:

- Teachers are mostly experienced ex-MOE teachers or former journalist. They should be in their 30s and above so we’re talking about loads of experience here.

- DS’s teacher is able to engage and guide (control) the class. This trait definitely requires experience in handling children.

- They have a well established teaching syllabus. Eg. I know in advance all the topics they are going to cover within the term as the schedule is given to parents in the first week.

- They tend to focus half the time on creative writing/compre/story telling, the other half on grammar/vocab as far as I can tell. A very interesting method used in compre is that they provide the answers and probe the students to write down the questions asked. A bit of reverse engineering from the norm.

- For creative writing - at least for P1 - they don’t make the students memorise phrases. Instead, they try to teach the students to "join" the sentences cohesively. You know, the passages should flow smoothly without gaps in the story.

- There is no homework, everything is done in class.

- There are notice boards where the better works are displayed weekly. Serves as a kind of incentive.

- Max class size is 10; but it’s usually less than that.

All this from my experience of sending my kid to their P1 class. They’re quite low profile as they don’t really appear to focus on their marketing (for some reason).

What I don’t like about that place is that it costs me a whopping $5.80 to park there for less than 2 hrs. So I’ve to go park somewhere else and walk when I’m not in a lazy mood.

[maltbibi]

Hi Markfch


Can share which teacher is your child under?

Thanks.

[markfch]

maltbibi:

Hi Markfch


Can share which teacher is your child under?

Thanks.

If you take a look at their website, the teachers there have quite solid credentials. In that sense, they should all be pretty good. But if you really wish to know my ds's teacher, I've pm you (baring in mind some people may not appreciate their names being mentioned in an open forum like this, even for a good cause. I've to respect that).

Just realized that I've been quite earnest in singing their praises. I'm absolutely not related to them ok. Just a happy customer who wishes to share a good thing, the way someone here shared this lead with me previously.

[maltbibi]

Thanks Markfch.


Have received your PM.

[vicki]

Hi guys…


Me wondering - any idea if i should switch my boy (P2 nex yr) from JG to CH?? Somehow feel that JG is better for younger kids n as they grow older — will need to try out something else…

Any tots?

[markfch]

vicki:

Hi guys....


Me wondering - any idea if i should switch my boy (P2 nex yr) from JG to CH?? Somehow feel that JG is better for younger kids n as they grow older --- will need to try out something else....

Any tots?

Sorry I don't know what JG stands for. But if your ds is doing fine there, why switch? Is your ds weak in only certain areas, eg. Creative writing? if so, I know that ctrs like CH (holiday programme), TAS, Mindstretcher and many others do conduct lessons focusing solely on CW.

Of course I do feel that CH is good (otherwise why would I send my ds there?), but with only 1.5 hrs per week, they cant possibly cover everything in depth. Thats why its impt to know whats your motivation for switching.

For us, I guess most of the things ds learns for English is still being taught by me.

[vicki]

Hi markfch,


JG is Julia Gabriel. Im thkg of switching cos feel that their English programs are better for pre primary rather than primary. Wanted something more 'serious' n 'more relevant'.

Thkg of CH at Palais cos then can let Ds 2 continue at JG (cos he is only N) n kor kor can go opposite for lessosn!