chamonix:

Care to elaborate on LFS?

Yes, I was surprised to learn of French kids failing the national test when Singaporean kids (non-french background) could make past it. It is not a school for foreigners but a local French Public school. Kids attending the school are local French except for Singaporeans.

Singfrench:

Never heard of anyone repeating CE1 where we came from. Do you mean failing CE1 at the LFS? I suppose it is more difficult for the LFS teachers as there's a greater diversity of pupils with different mother tongues and varying levels of mastery in basic skills depending on where they came from before.

chamonix:

Your kids were lucky to have such good teachers. Many non-French speaking Singaporean parents (that i know) have to engage French tutors to assist their children in their school work.

I would think, like Singapore, the quality of teachers varies within the country. As a matter of fact, some French students (8 years old) in a local public school failed the national test last year and have to repeat CE1 this year.

Singfrench:

Hi Vicki, the fact that parents are stressed during exams is only because they feel the need to prepare their child for the tests. In several European education systems, which 2 of my kids have been through, the teachers/ schools are responsible for providing quality teaching to ensure that children pass their tests. The teachers make it a point to prepare the kids. Parents just have to provide the necessary learning and nurturing home environment and ensure that homework is done regularly...

What I found funny at first was when there was a national cross country test in France when my child was 8...the only people who were stressed were the teachers. The objective of testing the kids was to assess if the teachers were teaching according to the curriculum and results of each school was compared to the national average. These tests are carried out randomly (any level once every 2-3 yrs) with only 3 months prior notice.
Needless to say, my kids loved school and enjoyed learning and the teachers were passionate and ensured that every child developed his/her talents and could showcase them in the classroom.

Singfrench:

Hi Vicki, the fact that parents are stressed during exams is only because they feel the need to prepare their child for the tests. In several European education systems, which 2 of my kids have been through, the teachers/ schools are responsible for providing quality teaching to ensure that children pass their tests. The teachers make it a point to prepare the kids. Parents just have to provide the necessary learning and nurturing home environment and ensure that homework is done regularly...

What I found funny at first was when there was a national cross country test in France when my child was 8...the only people who were stressed were the teachers. The objective of testing the kids was to assess if the teachers were teaching according to the curriculum and results of each school was compared to the national average. These tests are carried out randomly (any level once every 2-3 yrs) with only 3 months prior notice.
Needless to say, my kids loved school and enjoyed learning and the teachers were passionate and ensured that every child developed his/her talents and could showcase them in the classroom.

Singfrench:

Nebbermind:

but many parents want to have exams, else they dunno how their kids measure against the rest in the cohort....or how effective are the extra premium enrichment classes!!

I think I have to start an Anti-Kiasu Parenting group...i don't mean anti this website which is a great resource albeit slightly on the KS side.

This never ending 'tutor' vs 'school teacher' challenge, both trying to outsmart each other is only going to push the bar higher and higher for our kids. Kids end up being the losers in this twisted game. Wonder what the stats are regarding kids/teens who seek treatment at IMH.

IMHO Bite-sized un-announced tests are the best.

Nebbermind:

but many parents want to have exams, else they dunno how their kids measure against the rest in the cohort....or how effective are the extra premium enrichment classes!!

ksi:

LOLMum:

They don't call it exam anymore. It is known as mini tests.

:rotflmao: Bite-size exams..

LOLMum:

They don't call it exam anymore. It is known as mini tests.

joyjesoh:

Although Singapore has decided to do away with all exams in 2013. They will be doing with various forms of assessment other than through paper-and-pen assessment. This is to gear them and equip them with the 21st century skills.