All About GEP

[Herbie]

hi comfy, please check yr PM.

[TREX8]

Just to share my DD’s experience with Math at TLL.


DD’s weakest subject is Math. At P4 GEP, she was below class average and near bottom. We had a discussion with her teacher and agreed that DD doesn’t have a flair/aptitude for math. So she needs a longer time to grasp certain concepts and to know how to approach questions during tests/exams. Not having enough practise on GEP type of questions is also an issue.

So we started with Math at TLL at start of P5 as TLL seems to know the GEP curriculum well. DD is the conscientious type and will complete all the worksheets given by TLL. Her math improved to around class average as she has more practise and could work on her speed with the worksheets given in TLL class. I suppose there is only that much that TLL can do since DD’s strength is not in Math and definitely, to her, GEP Math is challenging (although quite alot of her classmates find GEP Math easy).

She continued with TLL at P6 and did surprisingly well for her P6 GEP SA, getting above class average for the first time. We stopped after June as DD could cope with mainstream/PSLE math.

So, I think TLL might suit kids who need tuition in math. In fact, amongst DD’s classmates who go to TLL, most are there for the English programme. DD seems to be the only one whose there for the Math programme.

I do have my grouse with TLL - the admin aspect, their inability to offer replace/makeup for Math GEP classes that DD has to miss.

In fact, when there was a change in teacher when DD was in P5, I tried to look for alternatives. I’ve tried making enquiries at Mindstretcher but was told that their High Ability Math (or GEP class) merely is just exposing kids to more challenging problems but do not follow the GEP curriculum.

The above is just based on my personal experience. At the end of the day, what suit one kid might not suit another, and vice versa. So we have to look at a match between what the centre can offer/set out to achieve and the child’s needs.

[JenniferHJ]

Hi mommyNg, better classes probably include some of your child’s classmates, and have more GEP Students. Sometimes tll doesn’t have enough space, and may put your child at a less advanced class, where classes will proceed slower and perhaps less efficiently. Not sure about the locations of the lessons now, but in my time (06-08) better classes are situated in New York and not-so-good ones in Geneva.[: (The classrooms are named after cities just fyi)

I didn’t do that well for English for PSLE, studied too hard for Science. But PSLE should be fine as long as your marks are above 270.
(Just realised my Pri Sch has added an extra GEP class, haha)

[JenniferHJ]

Yea just in reply to TREX8’s message, TLL’s Math Tuition will help if your child starts with a slightly below average foundation, but will not prepare your child for the really challenging problems, so it may be hard to achieve top in class with tll alone. (For SMOPS Questions, if needed your child can attend enrichment classes @ MathHub or MathsOasis I guess.)

This is a shout-out to all GEP parents, usually the students that do well in Secondary School aren’t just good in all subjects, but have a niche that distinguishes themselves from the rest of the student population. Perhaps you could start giving your child extra enrichment for interested subjects so they can perform exceptionally well in Sec School and go to RA classes (For RI and RGS). (Not v sure about other IP schools sorry) I’m kinda science and math-ish, so my focus on that in Pri Sch gave me a head start in Secondary School. Same goes for my Humanities-loving classmates. (But being good in all subjects is extremely important as well)

[r2010]

Hi vlim


Do u mind sharing the reasons for leaving. You can pm me. I am actually considering registering my son p3 in mind strecther English I am considering between tll or mind strecther thanks

[comfy]

JenniferHJ:

Hi mommyNg, better classes probably include some of your child's classmates, and have more GEP Students. Sometimes tll doesn't have enough space, and may put your child at a less advanced class, where classes will proceed slower and perhaps less efficiently. Not sure about the locations of the lessons now, but in my time (06-08) better classes are situated in New York and not-so-good ones in Geneva.[: (The classrooms are named after cities just fyi)

I didn't do that well for English for PSLE, studied too hard for Science. But PSLE should be fine as long as your marks are above 270.
(Just realised my Pri Sch has added an extra GEP class, haha)

Hi JenniferHJ, since you mentioned your time (06-08) and just like to share with you and my dd did quite well for a math paper in your time but not in the current time. Standard of GEP math has increased quite alot but not dd's gift in math. Sigh... this is fact and I have not consider when putting her in GEP. If she was born 5 or 6 six years ago, then perhaps I might not need to send her for tuition. What to do, now have to play catch up or let her get borderline grade. Common test and exam grades are still very impt in GEP like in mainstream no matter what they said about totally enrichment, projects work etc are relevant. Sometimes I wonder it might be better for the GEP centre just select those top positions in schools for GEP prog. since they value and emphasise so much on grades and don't really teach the kids in my dd's case (assuming they are smart enough). Ps. this is how I feel but not saying all GEP teachers are like that.

[comfy]

TREX8:

Just to share my DD's experience with Math at TLL.


DD's weakest subject is Math. At P4 GEP, she was below class average and near bottom. We had a discussion with her teacher and agreed that DD doesn't have a flair/aptitude for math. So she needs a longer time to grasp certain concepts and to know how to approach questions during tests/exams. Not having enough practise on GEP type of questions is also an issue.

So we started with Math at TLL at start of P5 as TLL seems to know the GEP curriculum well. DD is the conscientious type and will complete all the worksheets given by TLL. Her math improved to around class average as she has more practise and could work on her speed with the worksheets given in TLL class. I suppose there is only that much that TLL can do since DD's strength is not in Math and definitely, to her, GEP Math is challenging (although quite alot of her classmates find GEP Math easy).

She continued with TLL at P6 and did surprisingly well for her P6 GEP SA, getting above class average for the first time. We stopped after June as DD could cope with mainstream/PSLE math.

So, I think TLL might suit kids who need tuition in math. In fact, amongst DD's classmates who go to TLL, most are there for the English programme. DD seems to be the only one whose there for the Math programme.

I do have my grouse with TLL - the admin aspect, their inability to offer replace/makeup for Math GEP classes that DD has to miss.

In fact, when there was a change in teacher when DD was in P5, I tried to look for alternatives. I've tried making enquiries at Mindstretcher but was told that their High Ability Math (or GEP class) merely is just exposing kids to more challenging problems but do not follow the GEP curriculum.

The above is just based on my personal experience. At the end of the day, what suit one kid might not suit another, and vice versa. So we have to look at a match between what the centre can offer/set out to achieve and the child's needs.

Hi Trex8, I am truly thankful to you for sharing this. What you have shared is what I was looking (parent who is in the same/similar situation as me). You have gave me and my dd's hope. And now I have clearer idea on what to do to help her. Thanks very much.

[comfy]

Herbie:

hi comfy, please check yr PM.

Hi Herbie, I have pm you.

[vlim]

Hi comfy,

With trex8's dd experience with TLL, u can consider it... Hope it helps your dd!

[iFirefly]

vlim:

Hi comfy,

With trex8's dd experience with TLL, u can consider it... Hope it helps your dd!

hi vlim, are your ds & dd with TLL? my DS (p6) is with TLL English and he only joined this year, solely for psle, as English is his weakest subject. most probably he will not continue next year as we dont want him to rely too much on tuition when he goes to secondary school next year (especially IP in RI).

my DS2 (p3) is also with TLL English but he only joined in term 3 this year, due to 'availability & suitability' (or lack of it?), blar3... you know what i mean. :slapshead:

not sure if it was due to TLL but my DS1's English marks did improve from his usual 70+ to 80+ in the recent SA1 exam. as for my DS2 (who is not serious and focussed in his studies), it is too early to tell but i do notice that his interest in current affairs and writing has improved fairly.