Real reason behind Singapore’s obsession with tuition
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Specialise in subjects or specialise in the class. Both have their pros and cons.
If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
For the former, pupils get teachers who rightfully should have more in depth knowledge of the subject they are teaching. For the latter, pupils will get teachers who will know them better and may be able to provide a more holistic guidance.
No right or wrong, only preferences.
I am trying to recall my primary school days. I believe even then I had different subject teachers at least for upper primary, for I remember them as my science teacher or math teacher, and of course the dreaded chinese teacher. Haha. -
Funz:
Hmmmm... yeah good point.... does anyone know if GEP teachers subject specialize? I am thinking that if GEP style has infiltrated mainstream, then if GEP teachers subject specialize, it may be a mechanism that is coherent with the new syllabus.If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
Anyone knows? -
Funz:
I prefer teachers who subject-specialize and teach across classes in the same level as well as across levels. Form teachers don't need to teach EML to get to know the kids better. Teaching one subject will also help the teacher to know the kid.Specialise in subjects or specialise in the class. Both have their pros and cons.
If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
For the former, pupils get teachers who rightfully should have more in depth knowledge of the subject they are teaching. For the latter, pupils will get teachers who will know them better and may be able to provide a more holistic guidance.
No right or wrong, only preferences.
I am trying to recall my primary school days. I believe even then I had different subject teachers at least for upper primary, for I remember them as my science teacher or math teacher, and of course the dreaded chinese teacher. Haha.
Now that you mention it, I remember in my primary school days we had specialized teachers too. My P1 form teacher taught me only English and English to students across levels. Similarly for my P2 teacher who taught Math only.
Just to add, my niece and nephews' schools also have specialized subject teachers from P1. I suppose it's a case of different schools having different practices. -
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are teachers who can teach well in more than 1 subjects… as long as they have the heart to do so…
so… why the heated debated about subject specialisation…
teachers teach, motivate, and lead…
IMO, the passion matters more… than whether they have undergo specialised training. of coz passion with training is the best combo… but, one with training but no passion or heart… no point… right? -
limlim:
Totally agree with limlim. There is a lot of \"conditioning\" children go through in Pri Sch. And kids in Lower Pri are generally still in a phase where acceptance by teachers are important. Many would not dare be \"in the face\" of their teachers to seek answers. Unlike that of older kids, or even working adults, deploying tactics of a pushy salesman.
for lower primary, it is a bit difficult to expect them to be that independent..verykiasu2010:
follow all the way to staff room, or go with a few friends to ask questions during recess ....
someone, already with weak foundation, they may not be able to express themselves well.
for e.g. immeidately during lesson, it is easier for them to raise they hand and say \"excuse me, could you repeat or spell out the word that you just said?\", then to, during recess, go to the teacher and say \"Mdm, just now what is the word you said? har, err.. that word.. (of coz she cannot pronounce it)........... sorry, forget that I came..\".
As for following the teacher to staff room, not possible coz they need to attend the next lesson.
If they are upper primary, I would not expect so much from the teacher and expect the kid to be more independent.. but P1............ difficult.. I expect the teacher to be more patient with the kids and give them sufficient care and attention.
Just to relate a humorous incident my son encountered on his birthday celebration in school this year. It was the last day of T1, and all classmates and class teachers were given a McDonalds Happy Meal for his birthday celebration in school. After recess, my son was brimming with excitement to see if his social studies teachers got his party meal. ( May I add at this point that both my son and I are fond of this teacher.) My son left school never finding out eventually because the first thing this teacher said on entering the class was,\" I want all of you to keep quiet. No questions today please.\"lower Pri kids do take things fairly literally. So enquiring about the Happy meal would qualify a question asked, no?
Ah well. -
Chenonceau:
kekeke sorry, it's just that i found it very cute that vks2010 can use 2 very different ways to say essentially the same thing, in 2 closely spaced posts...
I am a bit disappointed that we have descended to vulgarity. And Intermezzo (this may stimulate another long emotive post from you which I won't know how to respond to), I had not expected that you would ride on the coat tails of vulgarity or someone else's fit of aggression. One can respect Becontented, Funz, Buds, Wonderm... who write and make sense... even if I don't always agree with them on every point.
yeah totally agree ~ i love the nice, balanced way BeContented, Funz, Buds, Wonderm, jtoh, etc writes too ~ -
Chenonceau:
for ds who was in GEP, EMSL were always taught by different teachers throughout the 3 years leading to PSLE.
Hmmmm... yeah good point.... does anyone know if GEP teachers subject specialize? I am thinking that if GEP style has infiltrated mainstream, then if GEP teachers subject specialize, it may be a mechanism that is coherent with the new syllabus.Funz:
If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
Anyone knows?
and teacher:students ratio was about 1:25
the interesting thing is, many of his classmates still went for tuition in 1 or more subjects. -
Funz:
Specialise in subjects or specialise in the class. Both have their pros and cons.
If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
For the former, pupils get teachers who rightfully should have more in depth knowledge of the subject they are teaching. For the latter, pupils will get teachers who will know them better and may be able to provide a more holistic guidance.
No right or wrong, only preferences.
I am trying to recall my primary school days. I believe even then I had different subject teachers at least for upper primary, for I remember them as my science teacher or math teacher, and of course the dreaded chinese teacher. Haha.
Good & valid points. :goodpost:
IMO, think its fine for same teacher to teach EM @ P1 & P2 - better understanding of kid. Later, as long as the teacher has the passion & ability to handle all 3 EMS, I dun think there's any issue.
DD had a P4 teacher who taught EMS & tho main focus on Maths & least on Science, my gal raved about the teacher as she felt that the T challenged & spark their thinking process & able to connect the concepts. I was also surprised at what she had learnt too. While DD raved, her classmates' mothers complaint so much to me about the T teaching soooo little Sci & their kids suffered. My DD scored very well. My good exp vs their bad. So who's right who's wrong??
This year, DD comments about her EMS teacher has not been good & the irony is the current teacher's specialization is Science :slapshead: DS has a specialized Sci T too, but he complains.....
Your meat my poison & vice versa......but that's life to me. -
It is evident not everyone’s experiences are the same. Do note we may all be comparing experiences occurring within different timelines. Some of us have kids who are already working adults. Some have kids who are too young or in lower pri to even fathom the stress encountered in upp Pri. Some don’t even get involved with teaching their children. Hopefully we can all try to understand from the experiences shared by everyone here in its rightful context.
If we are always stuck in an air-con room, it’s going to be difficult to understand someone’s complaint about the horrific sweltering heat.
If we are used to driving or being chauffeured around, it is going to be difficult to understand why some people complain about bus delays in the sweltering heat. We may want to try it for ourselves first before brushing it off as a complaint. It is also way different if you are dressed in exercise gear for a leisurely run, and shower thereafter, vs perspiring in the heat when you are dressed in work attire heading for the next 10 hours of work. Very, very different experiences.
If we visit The Marketplace at Tanglin Mall for weekly grocery shopping, we are not going to understand why everyone else seems to complain how overcrowded every other mall seems to be on weekends. -
Intermezzo:
for ds who was in GEP, EMSL were always taught by different teachers throughout the 3 years leading to PSLE.
Hmmmm... yeah good point.... does anyone know if GEP teachers subject specialize? I am thinking that if GEP style has infiltrated mainstream, then if GEP teachers subject specialize, it may be a mechanism that is coherent with the new syllabus.Chenonceau:
[quote=\"Funz\"]If you specialise in subjects, you move from class to class and level to level. You handle a lot more students. If you specialise in class, you cover EMS but you handle only that few classes (think at most only 2 classes looking at the timetable) and usually only that particular level.
Anyone knows?
and teacher:students ratio was about 1:25
the interesting thing is, many of his classmates still went for tuition in 1 or more subjects. =)[/quote]You are a GEP Mommy. Ok... I understand now. I am not hitting out at you. I am not jealous of GEP parents. I think GEP benefits a certain population of students. I am glad that at least that part works as evidenced by the many enthousiastically supportive GEP parents.
Yet, allow me to humbly beg your understanding of our experiences in mainstream. Please.
My DS in P4 was taught EMS by same Teacher. I loved her. Even though she wasn't always on top of things, I loved her. She was kind and loving to my son and I. My DS is STILL taught MS by one Teacher... and I think she is great... in as far as her workload allows her to be. I don't fault the Chinese Teacher for asking the class to contribute tuition materials. The school obviously did not organise Materials Development projects or Materials Sharing initiative. The English Teacher is awful... spelling mistakes in every email... and every compo marked... but even after giving feedback to the school, she can't help making mistakes unless she goes back to primary school to get herself taught again. And she does have a sad personal story that she confided in me.
We can help these Teachers teach better with some systemic improvements.