MOe announced Learning of English to Develop 21st Century
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Chenonceau:
DS has been taught under the Stellar Program since P! , and now is P2. My 2 cents from what I see thru his learning, and his work so far.
I have to cede my point to YOUR experience of Stellar, simply because I have never myself experienced it. I've browsed some MATERIALS and liked what I saw. Way better than those stupid textbooks my son has. Melodies, I am glad you are here to give your views... And confess I have less knowledge of Stellar than you.Melodies:
Just wanted to share that my girl's school use Stellar program since P1. I have reservation with this Stellar program and it is supposed to be very interactive and teach less but learn more. But they teach very little literally and very little grammar teaching but the exams tested them more than what she had learnt le! :frustrated:
Strange le, chen, how did you get the impression that Stellar is good program and gives teacher good teaching materials! :nailbite:
Stellar needs to be taught a certain way, appeals to subconscious learning. This can make parents feel insecure. I am quite comfortable with these methods because they worked with both my kids.
But really... Since I haven't experienced the lesson delivery by schools, I should just shut up. Teeheehee!
The main problem is as a parent we cant monitor the progress. We do not know the text that was used so we dont know what was taught and how much DC has absorbed - in short no control. And natuarally that can set off panic buttons.
Butit is good news for those who dont really interfere with school teaching. And that is not good for tutors either who need to see what the school has been doing. But of course for enrichment centres is a different story.
In fact havent we all been clamouring if TLL can give such advanced material and teaching, why cant MOE do it? Well Stellar would be a step in that direction. And the best part is that it does teaching without disecting English into specific individual parts. And rightly so.
It makes perfect sense to take a story and learn how different parts are used to, the necessity of it and beauty of it . Each story used focuses on different components of grammer, vocab, etc. When the work sheets are returned you can see the components learnt. Oral component is also weaved into this - reading, conversation, picture description . Yes they are different skills but the same language isnt it? This is learning English holistically.
I dont know if this is 21st century learning skills but this is how I learnt my languages. Albiet on my own. And that is how I help(ed) my kids too. So from me woo hoo, MOE - Way to Go. :rahrah:
No system is perfect , then again my child is not perfect either.
As always the a good recipe doesnt mean a delicious dish. It depends on the Chef (teacher) and the Main Ingredients ( students) and side Ingredients ( parents). -
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/premium/top-the-news/story/moe-revise-teaching-english-upper-primary-20120904?error=3&rm=1
[quote]MOE to revise teaching of English at upper primary
Aim is to boost communication skills and get pupils to speak confidently
On whether the new English syllabus penalises weaker pupils and those from non-English speaking households, Mr Wong said that it will help raise their competency in the long run.
It shouldn't be the case that only stronger pupils have \"higher order skills\" like the ability to analyse and think critically, he said. \"Everyone in our economy has to have these higher order skills, and these can be trained,\" he said.
Businesswoman Nancy Wong, who has a son in Primary 3, said he will now need to have more general knowledge. She expects to expose him to more places and to make him read more.
\"All along, we did assessment books but now I'll have to help him expand on his ideas,\" the 35-year-old said.[/quote]Sounds like GP for primary level... :yikes: :faint: -
PhoBIA:
Hey PhoBIA, MOE has written out a very comprehensive English syllabus and its guidelines, I'm sure they have a good plan in place. But the lack of new exam material really worries =/Wonders if MOE has already trained all teachers prior to this announcement.
Indeed very worrying for parents.
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/english-language-and-literature/files/english-primary-secondary-express-normal-academic.pdf -
IMHO, English is a \"living\" language. My method is very simple:
1. Teach the basics such as grammar and vocab
2. Lots of reading; textbooks, storybooks, newspapers, magazines etc
3. Watch programmes such as games shows, dramas, documentaries etc
4. Ask questions and give guidance,opinions, etc based on points 2 and 3 to encourage critical thinking and analysis.
5. Create an interest in learning by enjoying the process yourself cos the best method is teach by example. When your child sees how much you are enjoying yourself, he will be keen to try. I remember a story (though very vague) about how Hulkberry Fin seemed to enjoy painting the fence as a punishment that every boy who passed by end up paying him to let them paint. In the end, he got the job done and earned something from them.
We can apply this to our child's education. When my students said they hate Maths, I will try to make it looks fun; when they hate open ended comprehension, I'll share interesting facts beyond the passage which most of the time makes them want to know more and forget how \"gruelling\" it is to answer those questions.
The problem is \"fun' and \"play\" are dirty words to Kiasu parents and they themselves are the ones who obstruct and kill their children's progress unwittingly. I totally agree with PM Lee that we should let our children have their childhood. Once a child learn to play and have fun, the acquisition of knowledge will come naturally. It's very sad that many parents miss the woods for the tree. If your child got \"liao\" don't worry that he'll lag behind. Other children may have a headstart but if your child have what it takes, he'll overtake them in no time If he got \"no liao\", spending thousands of dollars on so called 'GEP expert teacher' also no point, only get fleeced by them. :siam:
Most importantly, teach the children how to learn on their own. I guarantee this method works cos my 3 DSs NEVER have tuition in the strictest sense of the word. I only provide the guidance and support.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for life. -
Stumbled upon this blog article.
http://serenagreenhouse.blogspot.sg/2012/09/moe-tweaks-psle-english-language-paper.html
Really agree with what was said. Teachers may not be equipped with the skills to implement the changes :slapshead:
There is a link in the article to MOE's website on the revisions that were made to the PSLE format. -
Here is what I think - http://petunialee.blogspot.sg/2012/09/new-moe-english-syllabus-2015.html
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Melodies:
We share the same sentiments!R they going to accept all kinds of answers? Every student has a different opinion than other, so does the teacher who also may have her own opinion. Which opinion is better n leading to high score r vey subjective now! R they going to give model answer again for each question? Then we r stuck with the same problem as what we have observed for science subject now which is very objective but they limit the scope to refrain u from thinking too much out of the box!!!
The scheme gives me the impression that u will score well provided u have very srong Chemistry between between yourself n the examiners!
Have been so frustrated with the way science is being examined and taught that I shared yet another recent incident, starting from http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1727&hilit=science+marking&start=2220
You are right. The infrastructure (materials, teacher training, assessment format, etc) has to be ready or we are going to further confuse our children.
It is just not fair that the young are considered \"necessary collateral lost\" if the move is made faster than what the adults can do to get the infrastructure ready, for yet another subject! I know this may sound a little dramatic, but can't help having this negative feeling! -
Below are the points that I think Stellar program will work if:
- Small class-size for interactive way of teaching. (about 20-25 students to Teacher). Else, we will end up with those talkative one dominating the whole conservation. If too large a class-size, teacher was not able to handle with so many students (40-45 students) and the whole class will be too noisy like a market and out of control. (I personally have observed that before)
- Teaching materials has to be really for the teacher and parents
- Provide teacher training for teaching stellar program not anyone can teach ( like Chinese teacher), WE need COMPETENT teacher!
- Detailed assessment format (give more examples) has to be ready and share with parents
- Detailed assessment scopes has to be ready and share with parents
- Detailed guidelines on markings as well
:oops: Pardon for my kiasuism, since my dd will be the first batch guinea pig, I definitely wanted to find out more about the detailed assessment formats and scopes (can't find these in MOE website) to get her really for 2015 PSLE!
Please feel free to add to the list... -
I understand the concerns about quality of Teachers. But I cannot help but breathe a prayer of thanks at this news. I read this as a prayer come true. For 2 years I prayed that Teachers would be given materials to help them teach. Stellarizing Upper Primary English is already better than status quo. My son has one thin textbook and his teacher is too incompetent to develop her own materials. This is MOE’s way to improve textbooks. Textbooks alone can no longer hold everything kids need to learn. Doing it like this is ALMOST as good.
Issues with quality of teaching in Science in Upper Primary could be linked to the fact that there is no equivalent of Stellar to teach Science. Something is being done to help teachers teach English. Maybe MOE MIGHT move to stellarize Science and Math too?
Those with kids in lower primary, you already have it better than my son with his thin textbook, no other materials and a teacher who can’t spell. Yes… things can be better… so keep the feedback coming. Make suggestions. Push for improvement. If you don’t speak up, nothing will improve. If you do speak up, something might. My son is done with PSLE soon. I won’t be speaking much after. -
Melodies:
Below are the points that I think Stellar program will work if:
- Small class-size for interactive way of teaching. (about 20-25 students to Teacher). Else, we will end up with those talkative one dominating the whole conservation. If too large a class-size, teacher was not able to handle with so many students (40-45 students) and the whole class will be too noisy like a market and out of control. (I personally have observed that before)
- Teaching materials has to be really for the teacher and parents
- Provide teacher training for teaching stellar program not anyone can teach ( like Chinese teacher), WE need COMPETENT teacher!
- Detailed assessment format (give more examples) has to be ready and share with parents
- Detailed assessment scopes has to be ready and share with parents
- Detailed guidelines on markings as well
:oops: Pardon for my kiasuism, since my dd will be the first batch guinea pig, I definitely wanted to find out more about the detailed assessment formats and scopes (can't find these in MOE website) to get her really for 2015 PSLE!
Please feel free to add to the list...
Way to go Melodies! Keep going. Don't let those people who tell you that the system is fine and it's all a single teacher and a single school's fault discourage you. Continue to suggest systemic improvements that will help teachers and kids... Maybe not your own kids... But for others' kids, it is also worth the effort.
What goes around comes around. We need to care for other people's kids too. Thank you Melodies. I appreciate you.
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