The Alternative Story (TAS) - Discussion

[hquek]

firefly38:

May I ask if TAS is suitable for P5? Which do you recommend, their English course or Creative Writing course? Thanks!

I think this depend on what your child needs. If command of English is poor, going to creative writing class may not help as much. if the child's english is alright, then can consider just that (creative writing).

They cover a lot in their 'regular' english class - grammar, vocab, synthesis, compre, and compo. End up the pace may be quite fast, child must be able to handle the pace or he/she may be lost.

[Suz855]

Regarding the class size, yes it is indeed big around 12 … My dd class has many boys n I was worried that it will be too disruptive ( sorry hor, a bit stereotype here as boys tend to be more playful n girl more guai) but so far beside ever complaining a p5 boy (yes they let kid join a level up) slowing down the class as he can’t follow the pace she assure me that the teacher is able to get most of the work done n the amazing part is all work cover will be mark and review during class … Also hw wise there isn’t much, she just learn spelling n dictation from the TAS book.


Btw, there is a free trial lesson, you can let your child experience a lesson n see whether he like it … Again quite a far bit is cover in a lesson n some kid might find it overwhelming … Jmho.

[iFirefly]

Thanks glendt, hquek & Suz855 for your valuable feedback & advice.. I think 12 pupils per class is reasonable.. I know of a few tuition centers with 15 or more pupils per class.. :shock:


Will arrange for a trial lesson for DS2 and update here soonest..

[sean wife]

Other than memorizing creative phrases, does TAS also teach on the planning and organizing skills on writing a compo? As in like using who, when, where, what, how kind of questions to plan for the introduction, body and conclusion of the story? So far, at P1 class, they have been asked to memorise paragraphs, biut don’t seem to touch much on how to the planning and organizing part….just thinking, is that like putting the cart before the horse??


Thanks for sharing.

[hquek]

I know the kids are taught to do tension curve - how to build up the story to create interesting points. Also, Ds1 is able to rattle off the start to a story - eg rainy day what to put, sunny day out what to put. This comes from memorising those key phrases.


So I guess the answer would be yes. I gather they start the kids off memorising so they have on hand phrases to apply in certain scenarios. After the kids get that, then they will start learning to apply.

[sean wife]

hquek:

I know the kids are taught to do tension curve - how to build up the story to create interesting points. Also, Ds1 is able to rattle off the start to a story - eg rainy day what to put, sunny day out what to put. This comes from memorising those key phrases.


So I guess the answer would be yes. I gather they start the kids off memorising so they have on hand phrases to apply in certain scenarios. After the kids get that, then they will start learning to apply.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing…your DS1 in P1 class also right? My kids can recite out the paragraphs, but don’t seem like able to apply much. Hopefully in time to come, the application part will surface…

[hquek]

hi sean wife,


yup Ds2 in P1 class. and yes, he is memorising passages. But this time a bit strange because he doesn't have to memorise at home and this only done in class. last time DS1 had to do dictation and spelling, so now DS2 is like having holiday.

I think my expectations more realistic with DS2 so i'm not unduly worried about him not being able to start writing. Will only start panicking when he reaches P3.

[sean wife]

Hi hquek,


Ya, I think they do bulk of the memorization work in class, and I must say that the technique of making them memorise through doing the actions seem to be quite effective…at least without much follow up at home, they can still remember bulk of it a week later. Mine also only have a few words for spelling. No dictation if you mean those kind that teacher read out a passage and the child writes it out.

[hquek]

Hee, so far, Ds1 has to do spelling each week; nothing for Ds2. or perhaps I just don’t know he has.


Haiz…thought Ds1 should be ok in spelling. but lately I find that his spelling also koyak - a combination of careless and don’t know. I hate to have to make him do spelling (figure if he read enough should know), but then seems like I am wrong there.

[phtthp]

hquek:

hi sean wife,


yup Ds2 in P1 class. and yes, he is memorising passages. But this time a bit strange because he doesn't have to memorise at home and this only done in class. last time DS1 had to do dictation and spelling, so now DS2 is like having holiday.

I think my expectations more realistic with DS2 so i'm not unduly worried about him not being able to start writing. Will only start panicking when he reaches P3.

P1 duration is 1.5 hrs.

inside 1.5 hours duration - can breakdown roughly how much time is being apportioned to each section, to teach / learn :-
- compo writing ?
- memorize phrases ?
- grammar ?
- vocab ?
- spelling ?
- Oral ?