zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134878\" time=\"1717816822\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134878 time=1717816822 user_id=53606]
Agreed. The screening test is i’m sure, quite stringent. Also do consider that in the IP JCs, highly likely the potential candidates have already been identified by their teachers and invited early on, before the JAE even enters the school.[/quote]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134876\" time=\"1717816561\" user_id=\"143605:

Thanks for sharing.

Top jcs may have more flexibility without compromising too much. Demand for niche subj like ell may be more substantial.

Gathered that some students chose jc for their ell subject offered. But in the end they never get offered ell or pass the ell test. So better to choose jc based on std subjects first before considering if ell can fit into the whole subj combi.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134867\" time=\"1717810101\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134867 time=1717810101 user_id=53606]
ELEP is probably a slightly wider programme which has additional activities/commitments, especially if taking the scholarship. Whereas ELL is just studying the A level subject alone.

Somewhat akin to the Regional Studies Programme (with scholarship) for Year 1s at IP schools, which incorporates additional activities/commitments, apart from just studying the O level subject titled “Malay Special Program” (3rd language).

You should consider the fact that Science stream has long lab sessions, minimally P and C. B will be longer than P i believe. And does the jc schedule the labs in the afternoons? Slotting the contrasting humanities in the mornings? Or the other way? U should find out the sample timetable of such students taking uncommon humanities during open house.[/quote]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134864\" time=\"1717809180\" user_id=\"143605:

It is confusing. The following page says only 3 jc offer the prog. But checking moe school finder, your list of jc include ell as subj offered.

https://www.moe.gov.sg/education-in-sg/our-programmes/elep-jc

Gathered from reddit, ac and cj have strong gp/arts dept. Hence i guess they have good ell teachers but as u said, need to check them out at open houses.

For sci stream students, choosing ell may pose getting non intact class which may affect assigned teachers for sci subjects as doodbug pointed out. So we have to find out more and weigh the merits.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134849\" time=\"1717768451\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134849 time=1717768451 user_id=53606]
You probably already know this, but ELL is only available at the following 6 JCs:

RI, HCI, ACJC, NJC, Dunman High and CJC.

Not sure how good NJC and DHS are for this subject, but hearsay the rest have good ELL teachers. Can continue to research. Pls share findings, including % scoring As. To me there is no point taking it if A is not 100% guaranteed, interest-wise as well as quality of teaching/exam coaching (since it is a compulsory H2).[/quote]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2134854\" time=\"1717773496\" user_id=\"13281:

While I am absolutely attracted to the lesson compared to a typical JC lesson as it is far more fun and engaging, I wonder how much this seminar style + group work prepares a student for the A levels. All A level exams are taken by the individual (there is no group project for academic subjects). All A level subjects are content-heavy. A level subjects need a strong dose of individual practice, mark, learn from mistake, rinse and repeat. A level subjects require a strong dose of individual engagement with the material (call it mugging) and very little about synthesising perspectives or approaches. A levels require individual regurgitation and application of the material to the exam question.

Caveat - I am unfamiliar with ELL.

Or perhaps, my understanding of the A levels, is wrong and outdated.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134816\" time=\"1717738082\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134816 time=1717738082 user_id=53606]
00skyblue00, u may want to watch this video about CJC’s ELL programme:

https://youtu.be/Fq3XZ4kgzRc?feature=shared[/quote]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134785\" time=\"1717670382\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134785 time=1717670382 user_id=53606]
Yes we are open to it. His very strong interest is in WWII History, which went laterally into political ideologies all around the world (including their fundamental philosophy), and also political systems like how our Constitution came about, how Parliament works. He watches all current affairs with interest, somehow knows about the US and Russia past & present presidents, war histories of europe and middle east, vietnam and korean war. All these he read up on his own, then he will discuss with me (i know close to nothing about all of these; my role is simply to remind him to assess sources of info critical & take a measured and balanced viewpoint, and to be open to new points of view.)

I have learnt that NUS Political Science (and also Economics) is quite statistical (hence the maths worry). But maybe other universities like smu are less theoretical/academic path. Will also depend on which uni he can get into (I assume that the prestigious courses like PPE are very selective). If he cannot get a course that he is fully interested in, i’m sure we will consider various alternatives in social sciences. There are plenty.[/quote]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134848\" time=\"1717766556\" user_id=\"143605:

:thankyou:
The teacher on screen looked the engaging type. The class is quite a good size. Will show dd.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134816\" time=\"1717738082\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134816 time=1717738082 user_id=53606]
00skyblue00, u may want to watch this video about CJC’s ELL programme:

https://youtu.be/Fq3XZ4kgzRc?feature=shared[/quote]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2134817\" time=\"1717740427\" user_id=\"13281:

I am usually a person who encourages people to pursue their interests. Unfortunately, for the A levels, having gone through the journey with one child, I have been brought back to pragmatic Singapore earth. No matter what MOE tells you about pursuing your interests, the system generally does not support so. Please be prepared, if you are taking non-traditional combinations that 1) you have a highly disadvantageous A level time time. If you take PCME and BCME, the A level timetable will always be catered to you. 2) It is much easier to find tuition and other forms of external help if you are doing a mainstream subject, i.e. PBCME, GP. All other subjects, if you have a poor subject teacher in school, that's it. Worse still for subjects like ELL the whole school probably doesn't even have alternative teachers. You may also get a teacher who is new or unfamiliar with syllabus. Between History and ELL, there are far more study tips and help available on reddit forums for HIstory than ELL. For both subjects, you should not count on any available tuition help. 3) you are far more likely to get a favourable school timetable if you are in an in tact class.

So if your child can do the standard combinations and excel in them, good for you and your child.

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134812\" time=\"1717735788\" user_id=\"28674:

Can't help with ELL vs History as my daughters didn't take either of them. I presume ELL is Eng Lang and Lit? Or is it Eng Lang and Linguistics?

Econs - my daughter studied overseas at university level, so I don't know what local university Econs is like. I think it was all essays, just like A levels? But with one stats project, and a lot more maths.

The following is my opinion only - not sure if I'm correct. I think those who don't do well at A level Econs are the ones who don't really try to understand the subject, and just try to \"learn\" it. The lack of understanding and application will show in the essays. I was one of those who didn't do that well (got a B). For university social sciences, I think it's important that the student is really interested in \"society\" - how people behave, make decisions, interact with the environment and each other, etc. And the student should be comfortable with open-ended answers, and be willing to argue his case. If the student treats like a list of facts to learn, then it will show.

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134807\" time=\"1717734577\" user_id=\"143605:

What is your view on taking ELL vs History for A level? Understand that ELL is only offered in H2 level, but History can drop to H1. Correct? Is ELL worth taking up? What profile of student would enjoy and do well in ELL?
My understanding is A level Econs is only essay writing and very different from uni econs. Uni econs is more interesting as you can apply what you learn in econs theories. One who is natural at SS would be better in A levels econs? What is a good indication for taking econs for A level? I understand that many students do badly in H2 econs.

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134807\" time=\"1717734577\" user_id=\"143605:

What is your view on taking ELL vs History for A level? Understand that ELL is only offered in H2 level, but History can drop to H1. Correct? Is ELL worth taking up? What profile of student would enjoy and do well in ELL?
My understanding is A level Econs is only essay writing and very different from uni econs. Uni econs is more interesting as you can apply what you learn in econs theories. One who is natural at SS would be better in A levels econs? What is a good indication for taking econs for A level? I understand that many students do badly in H2 econs.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134808\" time=\"1717734966\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134808 time=1717734966 user_id=53606]
What is CAP?

Somehow mine is not that keen on MUN and debates (i did suggest). He never sign up for anything other than his beloved uniformed group’s extra activities (which i had to limit) and serving in our church youth group.[/quote]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134806\" time=\"1717734224\" user_id=\"143605:

sign up for MUN in sec 3. need to write position paper on a specific topic. But may not get the topic of 1st choice. Quite dry though (topic she got is not her cup of tea, a bit chim), as compared to CAP which was really fun according to mine. There is also Hist talent prog which mine has signed up but not attended yet. hope it is more enriching :xedfingers:

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134787\" time=\"1717675404\" user_id=\"28674:

All social sciences these days are quite heavy on stats - there's a lot of statistical data around these days, and with computers, it's become normal to have to juggle and analyse stats in all of these subjects. Judicious selection of courses might mean that he could avoid the ones that need high math ability, but will also limit course selection. My daughter who studied linguistics was very limited when choosing courses in her major as well as many social sciences as we had to avoid stats as far as possible.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134785\" time=\"1717670382\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134785 time=1717670382 user_id=53606]
Yes we are open to it. His very strong interest is in WWII History, which went laterally into political ideologies all around the world (including their fundamental philosophy), and also political systems like how our Constitution came about, how Parliament works. He watches all current affairs with interest, somehow knows about the US and Russia past & present presidents, war histories of europe and middle east, vietnam and korean war. All these he read up on his own, then he will discuss with me (i know close to nothing about all of these; my role is simply to remind him to assess sources of info critical & take a measured and balanced viewpoint, and to be open to new points of view.)

I have learnt that NUS Political Science (and also Economics) is quite statistical (hence the maths worry). But maybe other universities like smu are less theoretical/academic path. Will also depend on which uni he can get into (I assume that the prestigious courses like PPE are very selective). If he cannot get a course that he is fully interested in, i’m sure we will consider various alternatives in social sciences. There are plenty.[/quote]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134785\" time=\"1717670382\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134785 time=1717670382 user_id=53606]
I have learnt that NUS Political Science (and also Economics) is quite statistical (hence the maths worry). But maybe other universities like smu are less theoretical/academic path. Will also depend on which uni he can get into (I assume that the prestigious courses like PPE are very selective). If he cannot get a course that he is fully interested in, i’m sure we will consider various alternatives in social sciences. There are plenty.[/quote]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134776\" time=\"1717663179\" user_id=\"17023:

If your DS is open to consider Mass Comm / new media studies, perhaps can pick this over Political Sc?

Political Sc at higher level (university) may need strong analytical skills just like solving abstract maths and science questions. He may face uphill task to stand out from his Uni peers?

If a Pol Sc grad can join Real Estate, I think Mass Comm grad can also. So might as well choose something more suited? I feel that job opportunities are more readily available for new media studies than for political sc students.

Friend’s daughter not strong in maths and science, used to stress out in school. Friend realized her daughter’s strength is in creativity so she makes the best out of it. The daughter chose marketing and is now a lot happier!

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134702\" time=\"1717576608\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134702 time=1717576608 user_id=53606]

Mass comm also another option for DS to consider. Anything to do with words instead of numbers haha.[/quote]