Learning Point - Discussion
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Hi! Any feedback on P3 English class at Thomson Plaza? My DD is going for the assessment tomorrow. Have been searching for a English enrichment class since May. Quit the previous centre coz I find that the class size is too big.
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Hello folks,
Just to share my recent interaction with Learning Point(LP).
I am sourcing for an English enrichment class for my preschooler and have shortlisted LP thomson as one of those centres in which I think would be a good bet. I understand that LP has something for K1 (i.e. Read for success or RFS) and K2 (P1 head start or P1HS). I spoke to a “receptionist”. I started off asking for brochures for preschool programmes and she dished out what I needed. There was a helicopter view of what would be expected in each term for RFS. I was very confident that my child should not be placed in term 1 because he already had some level of proficiency, having 2 years of English language lesson (which includes phonics skills) under his belt. So I ask,” must every kid attend from term 1? What if the child is already armed with some level of proficiency?”
Her reply came like this,”Every child must sit for a entry test in which the programme in charge would test the child. The result would be analysed and the parents would be advised which stage of the RFS/P1HS the child should be enrolled into”.
I was a little surprised. I did some reading over the internet and thought only Primary 1 programmes at LP required entry test? She clarified – no, all students would have to sit for assessment in order to be enrolled into LP. Oh…… ouch, I thought. My child is only 4, next year k1. Ask him to take test? Hmm…… I have my doubts despite the fact that I am pretty sure he has some level of competency. You know, children this young may need some time to warm up to a stranger…. They may not be able to perform under test condition…
She further explained that they do have students who are assessed to have acquired some preliminary knowledge (i.e. no need to start from term 1) and are advised to join the class at say, term 3. The class size for RFS is 9 and P1HS is 10. A place would be kept for the child is he/she is advised to join at a later term. Without any notice, she took out a reader (each page about 20-30 words) and asked my kid to read on the spot. While he could managed some bits and pieces, he was not fluent and I could tell the lady was not impressed. She added that this reader would be one of those readers used to test the children. I was seriously shocked now – did she mean a four/five YO must be able to read this reader in order to be enrolled in RFS?!?! Her reply was,”oh no, this reader is to assess those going to Primary 1 classes.” I thought to myself,”then why you take this reader to test my son?!”
Anyway, I have put my name on the waitlist but she said my 1st choice time slot is fully subscribed. She said she would check with her colleague and let me know again. When the class has enough sign ups and is ready to commence, LP would start calling the parents. To start a new class, LP requires a minimum of 6 sign ups. Considering the full class is 9, to need 6 to start the class is a lot. Take for instance, ICR has a class of 6-8 but only need 2 to kick start the class. Likewise for Berries, a class of 12 only need 2 to start. But then, each business has its own policies.
She said a test is absolutely a must, even at k1 level because placing a kid at the wrong term might end up a waste of time and money. The idea she gave me was – one needs to meet a certain level of competencies in order to benefit from their programmes. They are not going to expend extra effort to hand hold a child who has not met the level of competency requird. If one doesn’t meet the bench mark, please go and brush up, then come back again.
She added that for my son’s case, she personally thought that starting at term 1 would be a waste of time and money. She felt that my son would be bored and propose that I wait for them to arrange an assessment for him in due time. I posted another question – say my son’s assessment is scheduled to be held in Dec12 and LP’s analysis would be that he should begin at term 2 as he didn’t seem totally comfortable at term 3 stuff (so he’s like in between term 2 and term 3). But from Dec12 to Term2 (should be around Mid Mar?), he would have progressed somewhat. Should he be assessed again just before Term 2 start? Her reply was – sure, another assessment could be arranged and if the child proved to be pretty good at Term 3’s syllabus, then LP would hold the place till term 3.
So that’s it. Not sure if will sign up with LP eventually… -
Hi dear thanks for the sharing.
What waz the name of the reader that your child had to read?
Thanks -
Ran1977:
My niece's kids are in LP and she said parent needs to oversee their kids or else parent will be called in. Just wonder, if kids could not maintance their standard will LP reject them? Just like they do it at the entry test. They just fish the elite student.Hi dear thanks for the sharing.
What waz the name of the reader that your child had to read?
Thanks
keeping good students and claims 100% A* :siao: -
Hmm... I heard from the LP staff before that they ever asked their existing students to leave the centre because the students couldnt keep up with the classes but she emphasized that was \"very few cases\"... :roll:
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Imami:
I am sourcing for an English enrichment class for my preschooler and have shortlisted LP thomson as one of those centres in which I think would be a good bet. I understand that LP has something for K1 (i.e. Read for success or RFS) and K2 (P1 head start or P1HS).
regarding kindergarten K2 (P1 HeadStart or P1HS) -
there are two intake per year - either in January or July.
It is better to take the January intake - because child need to attend only once a week.
because if join in July, become twice a week enrichment - can be v siong / tiring!
reason: if start in July - only got half a year left! The first half of the year already gone ! Limited time. Kids need to complete the entire K2 syllabus, by mid November. Hence, have to attend twice a week.
whether join in January or July - P1 HeadStart cover 4 basic standard module.
LP teach K2 kids right from scratch, from ground zero base background.
They start with grammar, then slowly move onto writing simple compo.
reason: if don't teach grammar, how to expect kids write a proper essay ?
Then, the essay will be full of grammatical, or punctuation errors.
module 1 and 2 - no homework. It is relaxed!
from module 3 onwards until end of module 4 - start to have homework coming in. Parents can supervise child at home, if kid not sure how to do.
towards end of mod 2 or beginning mod 3 - kids will be introduced to writing simple compo. The entire class of maximum 8 kids will discuss the topic first; teacher go round the class get every student to chip in, contribute comments. ie. kids to brainstorm ideas. After class discussion, K2 kids start to write. If child doesn't know how to spell a particular word, LP teacher will write on the whiteboard that particular spelling word for the child. But by K2, children are supposed to know how to spell ... at least those basic, common sight words frequently encountered.
in module 3 -
kids are taught how to use a dictionary. Teachers encourage them whenever they come across a new vocab word they don't understand its meaning, look up the word in the dictionary ! When kids read storybooks on their own and come across new words they not sure or don't understand - they'll recall what their teachers had taught in class, \"Apply dictionary skill whenever you come across new words ! Check up the dictionary what this new word means.\" This way, kids begin to learn independence. In module 3, children begin to gain momentum in writing short paragraphs compo.
every week, children will borrow storybooks from class, bring home read. They're encouraged to read widely from young, so as to gain wider, broader exposure. Parents to supervise at home - ensure that your child complete reading the storybook brought back home, before return it next lesson to borrow another fresh new book. In the beginning when your child bring home first time, the storybook is thin. But as time goes by, the storybook selected gets thicker in content - with more pages to read; more lines per page.
by end of module 4 -
i)
child supposed to have received basic, proper training in writing.
Teachers pick up the better essays written in class by the kids, & compile them into a compo book to sell.
if you wish to read some of the creative essays written by the K2 kids from various kindergarten to assess the quality / standard, you may purchase a copy of the \"Essays written by LP children - from K2 to P6\", from the admin counter, at either Simei or Thomson branch. It costs $7.50 per essay book. There are a few volume; you can choose to buy that particular volume you like (while stock last).
ii)
LP K2 teachers teach at both branches - they take turn to teach, sometimes at Simei, sometimes at Thomosn.
at end of module 4 - the teachers will assess all K2 kids (from both branches, from both January & July intake) who had gone through the entire P1 HeadStart programme, covering the 4 module. The teachers will identify or sieve out - now, who are those K2 kids so far here with us, that have demo a strong mastery command of the English language ?
If LP teacher(s) find that your child is exceptional (very good), teacher(s) will recomend your child - to attend the Primary 1 intensive \"Gifted in English\" (GIE) programme. Normally not many kids qualify for this (from both branches), unless the child is v bright. Thus, no. of classes opened here .... v few ! The curriculum in this programme is especially tailored for exceptional bright kids who not only read well, but also able to understand the content what they had just read about. The curriculum has been designed in such a way to make the kids ... think deeper. There have been cases whereby kids can read well, but unable to comprehend what they had just read in the passage... they won't be selected. So it is not up to parents to say \"Hey, I'm keen for my child to go for this, therefore i'll enrol my kid into here\" No! It is up to the teacher's recommendation / discretion - the teacher who had taught your K2 child 4 module, in \"P1 HeadStart\" programme. This GIE programme is offered only at Thomson Plaza, not at Simei.
but if your child is average, then teacher won't recommend.
When come P1 - the child will just attend the normal, ordinary P1 \" Progress in English \" (PIE) programme.
Majority of our kids join under this category. The school open many classes here, if you check their timetable.
for outsiders who did not go through in-house \"P1 HeadStart\" K2 programme, they all need to sit for a common assessment. The outcome of this assessment - will determine where to place this new child. ie. to join GIE or PIE programme ? This GIE / PIE programme - run from P1 to P6. -
Hi dear, what is the assessment for LP Headstart for P1 like?
How is the child assessed?
Is this simple or complicated considering that these kids are just in K1. -
Ran1977:
I didn't take note of the title, don't see a néed to.... Should I have taken note of the title? Hmm... :scratchhead:Hi dear thanks for the sharing.
What waz the name of the reader that your child had to read?
Thanks -
I have tried couples of English enrichment centres like creative horizons, writers place, TAS and Learning Point. Personally, I find LP the best and can see her improvements in grades on English for both papers. Hence, I am happy that she is in LP and glad that I do not have to switch centres anymore! My girl used to write well only on those themes that she has written before but after s
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