Literacy Circle - Discussion

[titank]

Hi All,


Can anyone share with their experiences at L Central? Heard that native speakers seem to be very friendly comes to teaching where not in a very academic pace.

Heard some rumours that the children like pulling the skirt & shirt of the teachers while having lessons.

This is like something when we have an Asian Lecturer or Ang Moh Lecturer during our uni days when thier teaching method is totally different style.

[Engkidz]

Hi Titank


When you say \"pulling the shirt or skirt of the teachers\" - do you mean this figuartively? I have not heard this expresion?

Actually, the reason I sign my dd up to LCentral is because the teacher explain me that the style of teaching does differ from other tuition centre because the children are more involved. It is not a case of putting their head down and doing worksheet after worksheet (the teacher mention you can go buy books from Popular to do that!) but rather teach the children techniques. How to answer compre/compo and MCQ question and also focus on the oral exam. The workbook also has many other ex.
The teacher (at BT at least) is very friendly and my dd, the shy type, loves the class because she can talk and ask question etc.

Furthermore, the materiel is aligned to MOE so it does ensure they get the practise. BC (where my dd went before) serves a purpose but it is more leaning toward English enrichment...not practising the SG syllabus.

Your criteris may be diffrent to me but after asessment I was very convinced that this is the place for my dd because of the teaching style and the materiel.

[Trina]

My P2 girl attends the class at Bukit Timah. There is only one full time teacher from South Africa but educated in London. She is very nice and my girl enjous her class very much.


The good thing about BT is that it is relatively new and I could choose my preferred timing on a weekday. Mondays are not popular and my girl has been the only student in the class since school started in Jan. Am happy with the undivided attention.

I find the teaching very structured and imparts learning technique e.g. how to approach a cloze passage. Am definitely happy with it!

[Carrotree]

Hi Engkidz, Trina,


Thanks for your inputs, they are so assuring, as previously, when I chose LC over ICR, it was also because i had wanted something more aligned with MOE's teachings so that at least the enrichment will help in their school work..

hopefully, through the small class sizes, our kids can benefit as they have more attention from the teachers

[Engkidz]

Agreed Carrotree.


Anyone else have feedback I would be happy to know.

[Happybirdks]

Hi


I am also interested in LC too for my K1 son. Just happened to pass by the Thomson branch, was looking at the notices on the door when one of the in charge person came out to talk to me. He is friendly and chattyl, but I do not know anything about the teachers and system there.

Is it mainly a reading program, where kids learn phonics? Do they provide overall english enrichment for older kids?

st999, can share your experience at the LC thomson branch?

[Happybirdks]

Just went to LC website to take a look.


The thomson branch seems very small and cramped. Is it really like that, st999?

Engkidz, the new one at Bukit Timah has a very spacious looking front area. Exactly which part of BT is it in?

I am staying in balestier area, so trying to see which is more convenient.

Thanks

[Trina]

Hi Happybirdks


It is located within Bukit Timah Plaza where NTUC Finest is. It’s on the same floor as Pizza Hut. There are 3-4 classrooms and very spacious.

Not sure about the program for preschoolers but from P1 onwards, the kids are taught various aspects of the language including grammar, vocabulary, reading etc. Spelling happens every week and they do compo, compre, oral, discussions etc every other week.The syllabus conforms to the MOE standards.

Hope this helps!

[st999]

Hi Happybirdks,


No, I don’t think Thomson branch is cramped. In fact, it is one of the best environment I’ve seen so far for enrichment classes, and I’ve seen quite a few while searching for the right ones. You should go inside and have a look yourself. They also have 2 larger classrooms upstairs.

My son is also in K1 this year. He has been going to LC since March or April last year. He had good foundation on phonics from his N1 teacher, so he progressed quite fast. He was in the LaunchPad for 3 terms before switched to LiftOff in Oct last year, and he is the youngest one in his class (other kids are in k2 or p1 already). Now his K1 teacher is saying that he is one the few kids in class who can read quite well. I have to credit this to LC for their good teachers and system, and to my hubby and myself for revising with him everyday. The biggest credit goes to my son; he is a hard-working kid.

I don’t know about other systems or LC for primary schoolers, so can’t comment on that. But the teachers I’ve seen at LC are all very nice. I definitely have no regret for not sending him to other better known schools.

[Engkidz]

Happybirdks:

Hi


I am also interested in LC too for my K1 son. Just happened to pass by the Thomson branch, was looking at the notices on the door when one of the in charge person came out to talk to me. He is friendly and chattyl, but I do not know anything about the teachers and system there.

Is it mainly a reading program, where kids learn phonics? Do they provide overall english enrichment for older kids?

st999, can share your experience at the LC thomson branch?

Hi Happybird

Yes my dd is in BT and it is on L1 of Bukit Timah Plaza (right above NTUC). It's the newest centre and it is still building up its classes. There are alot of tuition centre there and LC is downstairs from most of the others...
When I was shopping around I find that ICR and LC very similar and then they tell me that LC was started by ex ICR teachers! So I actualy question the teacher in assessment as I want to know which is best. She said that the program are similar but that there are a quite a few diff and then help to explain them to me.

So I tell u this because like ICR, LC have 2 phonics levels to prepare your little ones for the reading level (Liftoff), but then it have 6 Sucess level which are for Pri school students who can read. They teach exam skills, techniques and all the while encourage interaction in the class.
I think as this company is a franchise, the teaching is the same. My dd's teacher is asessed every 3 month for quality control.

I shop around quite a bit but very happy with my choice