Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[maisy]

Hi dear parents

This question is more for the "east-ers"i suppose…but non-easter who are aware of this centre , pls feel free to offer your views too…

How about the standard at The Children’s Art Threatre (basement of Kembangan Plaza) - any good?

I see a lot of students walking in & out in the centre’s Tshirt & long pants …but wonder if it is any good… Apparently the owners are "people known in the chinese media fraternity …"

Comments please…

[tamarind]

KingRascal:

I completely agree with you guys too that it's all about reading and enjoying reading! I picked up my interest and command of words from novels, especially Wesley's series on scientific fictions and crimes!


I also agree that the quality of the teachers matters. My sending of DS to enrichment centre is also to cater for the development of the love for the language, not so much for the syllabus teaching.

Yes the keyword is \"enjoying\" ! If kids enjoy reading in Chinese, they will be motivated to learn

[Busymom]

i3mum:

Anyone has any feedback about Eduplus at Ghim Moh & Tien Xia? Is it suitable/ good for kids in K1 & Nursery? I know Berries is a good choice, but more costly for me.

Hi i3mum

You could refer to my post on page 30 of this thread where I have posted one of DD's term tests in K1. DD started with Tien Hsia at 3+. I have never revised anything with DD at home after her lesson in Tien Hsia, but somehow, she has managed to do ok in my opinion and retained many of the words that she has learned (by the way, we speak 100% English at home). Recently, I got one of her friends who attends Berries to read some story books that I purchased externally. I would say both their standards are about the same, there are some words that the friend couldn't read, and there are some words that my DD couldn't read.

You could also refer to my post on page 21 of this thread. Personally, I find Tien Hsia being very flexible on our requests so far, be it make-up lesson or having her teacher separately revising what DD has missed (if a make-up is no longer possible during the same week). The fact that it only has 10 lessons per term also suits us fine, in case we want to go somewhere for holidays, although that has hardly ever stopped us from taking a holiday as and when our work schedules permit (must make full use of the fact that DD is not yet in primary school mah).

Although DD is attending Tien Hsia in Orchard, I have come across good comments from other parents in KSP forum whose kids have attended Tien Hsia in Jurong (sorry, can't remember where those comments are located).

Another friend also has good review about the Eduplus in Pandan Valley and what is interesting about Eduplus is that they have recordings during the class. I believe speaking is an important aspect of learning a language. Worth considering if you are undecided.

Bottomline is, all these centres are good in their own way, otherwise, you wouldn't find parents still sending their kids to these centres. Having some enrichment is better than not having at all.

Wishing you best of luck in your final choice.

[smurf]

Hi Tamarind,


understand that you put your kids at berries chinese enrichment. just want to know what is the age that Berries teach Hanyu pinyin? My boy is at Eduplus and they teach at K2. I thought that is a little bit early to teach hanyu pinyin when he should be recognising chinese words instead. Also, I bought some chnese books for hm and they all come in hanyu pinyin!
I prefer no hanyu pinyin, cos my boy would be reading the book using hanyu pnyin. take away the hanyu pinyin, he can't read. hope you can offer some advise on where to get non-hanyu pinyin books cos it's really hard to find.

thanks very much!:)

[jedamum]

smurf,

berries teach HYPY at K2.

[smurf]

ic, thanks jedamum.

[tamarind]

smurf:

hope you can offer some advise on where to get non-hanyu pinyin books cos it's really hard to find.

smurf,
I am getting many books from http://www.dangdang.com now. If you have Citibank Credit Card, you can order from them directly. Their books are very cheap and good. I have just ordered 13 Chinese books for about SGD 20 including shipping. They have a huge variety of Chinese books, mostly no hanyu pinyin which are called 注音 books. I will be posting more recommended books in the \"Teaching Chinese at home\" thread.

Or you can try this book shop at Bras Basah. They carry many books from dangdang. But it is much more expensive.
http://bras-basah-complex.com.sg/bbc/2_shops/en_level_detail_1.asp?sid=03-005

I also recommend the Doraemon comic books from Popular Bookshop, they have a set of 6 large print books in colour, my girl loves to read them now.

[smurf]

Hi Tamarind,


thanks for advise...I thought Populars would have...

[tamarind]

smurf:

Hi Tamarind,


thanks for advise...I thought Populars would have...

Popular's Chinese book selections are very pathetic. But you can try, once in while they have good books.

[minnie]

Anybody send their children to Molin? Would appreciate your feedback.