Express or Normal stream

[rains]

Given a choice between Express and Normal, it’s always better to choose Express, even if the school is not so good.


For the in-between scores, it’s likely that you’re the best in the Normal class, but as time goes by, it’s more likely that you degenerate to the standard of your peers rather than outshine the rest.

Yes, there’re highly-motivated ones who get promoted to Express at Sec 2, but they are very rare.

I’m not sure if this is true, but someone told me that even if you get promoted to Express stream, you’re required to do an extra year to catch up with the Express class. As it is, Normal stream syllabus is quite a wide gap from the Express’.

[schellen]

rains:

As it is, Normal stream syllabus is quite a wide gap from the Express'.

Yes, they may use the same textbooks but Express students will cover everything in the textbook while the Normal students may not. This is usually clearly indicated in the book itself.

Also, even for topics where the Express and Normal students cover the same things, the workbooks and assessments will be designed differently. Teachers cannot set the exact same question for an Express student and a Normal student. The concept being tested may be the same but the way the question is phrased and whether other aids like pictures and helping words are used will be the differences. Questions for Express students are also usually worded in more complex English, and in structured questions, there will be lesser \"parts\". Example: For Express, the question may have only (a) and (b) but for Normal, the question will be broken down into simpler steps like (a) (i) & (ii), (b) and (c).

Actually, the widest gap is when successful 'N' Level students decide to attempt the 'O' Level. This is when they realise that no matter how good a student they are, they will have to work doubly hard to bridge that gap within a mere one year.

[janice_koh]

really huh…then we better think twice.

[janice_koh]

thanks for elaborating; will die die go for express even if it is a 188 entry school

[janice_koh]

I was thinking to place my child in a good school; dont mind normal stream cos afraid he might stray. what do you think?

[rains]

Honestly, I haven’t heard of a ‘good Normal stream class’ yet. Perhaps there is, but I haven’t come across.


You don’t have much control over the classmates your child is going to have. I thought it wiser to make a decision based on the academics.

As I understood, Normal stream uses a simplified version of Express textbooks. I’m not sure about now, but 20 years ago, my Normal stream friends’ Chinese textbooks have less chapters, and their English textbooks are different.

[schellen]

rains:

As I understood, Normal stream uses a simplified version of Express textbooks. I'm not sure about now, but 20 years ago, my Normal stream friends' Chinese textbooks have less chapters, and their English textbooks are different.

It is still true. Sometimes, they buy different books but sometimes, Normal students may still have to buy the same book (at the same cost) but certain sections may be marked out for Express only or a simplified version (of the concept or sub-chapter) may be included for Normal.

[janice_koh]

its a big ego issue hor…?

[hashroop]

When asked, are schools willing to reveal the aggregrate they are looking to accept express students?

[MMM]

I know as a parent, we hope that our kids do well in school, etc…


But sometimes, it’s rather beyond our control. I personally think the education system classify our children too early into "good" or "bad". During my era, it was just normal stream and they don’t even split by technical or academic.

It is horrifying to learn of the new split and if the child goes to normal (technical), this means his options are limited??? What happens to kids who are late bloomer?

I went to the normal stream after PSLE. It was only in Sec 3 that I realised the fun and importance of studying. It was too late for me to go to express but at least I get to do my "O" and subsequently completed my degree,etc… I considered myself a late bloomer and probably beyond my parent’s "control" though they engaged tutors,etc… for me in my primary school days. I just wasn’t motivated and my parents were happy if I passed and didn’t xpect much.

In the papers, we’ve also read of people who went to normal stream and subsequently poly, uni etc… and top the school.