Does our kid really need tutor?

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 19 Jan 2020 15:44:37 GMT

tessdeomma — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 15:44:37 GMT

I really don’t think a guideline of 75 and below is a warning sign… That’s like saying your kid must get straight As (because 75 would be an A) and anything less than an A means you need to go for tuition. That’s ridiculous! This is the reason why so many kids are stressed out these days, because they have parents who expect so much from them. If your child is failing, then by all means seek extra help if you really feel like your child’s teachers are unable to support. But to pile tuition upon a child just for scoring a B is too much. Please give your child a decent childhood.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 06 Dec 2019 08:58:50 GMT

MrsKiasu — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 08:58:50 GMT

gerawil\" post_id=\"1951853\" time=\"1575618330\" user_id=\"114217:

Dear all,

Let me share with you my thoughts whether he or she needs tutor. First and foremost, don't be influenced by your peers or whatever those tuition centers are recommending.

If your kids are getting 80 and above without tuition, it is very good already. If you need to buck him or her up, give past year exam papers to do. And invest in guide books.
If your kids are getting 75 and below, it is a warning sign. First, understand from your child or teacher what is bothering them, the particular topic or they dont really understand.
If it is language, you have to read more and do more assessment books. There are so many in the market, find those with very good compo guides. My girl from 71 (SA1) got 85 (SA2) in p3 Eng with purely my supervision (minimal) and I can teach you. Her compo improved greatly n her oral got full marks.
If it is Math, which happens to be my fav, she has to read the Math textbook first. After that, she can do the exercises. Usually I will explain to her a bit then she can start doing assessment books. My girl failed Math having tuition (group) in K2 til P1. But after I created a study guide for her, she never get below 85. Now is 93+.

If your kid is those blur blur (get below 75 marks)--> Have to start study guide N you have to monitor. If he or she lacks discipline, need tuition ba. I actually created my own study guide for them to record what they do weekly basis for my kids.

I am a mummy who teaches tuition to kill time (I teaches all the way when I was 19, teaches O level Chemistry n EMath n Eng). Now teaching part time. So here not to solicit services, as I am selective on the area. And I give my best when teaching. My student now from 60+ in Eng got 83 recently (22 Marks jump). Math also improved a lot. So just wanna share tips!:) So basically I teaches my kid everything from Science, Math, Eng n Chinese since I am a Sci graduate from NUS.

Hi gerawil, may I know if your guideline of 75 and below, a warning sign for primary level? What do you think for Secondary level, below what marks will be considered as warning sign, IP & O lvl will be sharing same guideline?

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 06 Dec 2019 07:45:30 GMT

gerawil — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 07:45:30 GMT

Dear all,

Let me share with you my thoughts whether he or she needs tutor. First and foremost, don’t be influenced by your peers or whatever those tuition centers are recommending.

If your kids are getting 80 and above without tuition, it is very good already. If you need to buck him or her up, give past year exam papers to do. And invest in guide books.
If your kids are getting 75 and below, it is a warning sign. First, understand from your child or teacher what is bothering them, the particular topic or they dont really understand.
If it is language, you have to read more and do more assessment books. There are so many in the market, find those with very good compo guides. My girl from 71 (SA1) got 85 (SA2) in p3 Eng with purely my supervision (minimal) and I can teach you. Her compo improved greatly n her oral got full marks.
If it is Math, which happens to be my fav, she has to read the Math textbook first. After that, she can do the exercises. Usually I will explain to her a bit then she can start doing assessment books. My girl failed Math having tuition (group) in K2 til P1. But after I created a study guide for her, she never get below 85. Now is 93+.

If your kid is those blur blur (get below 75 marks)–> Have to start study guide N you have to monitor. If he or she lacks discipline, need tuition ba. I actually created my own study guide for them to record what they do weekly basis for my kids.

I am a mummy who teaches tuition to kill time (I teaches all the way when I was 19, teaches O level Chemistry n EMath n Eng). Now teaching part time. So here not to solicit services, as I am selective on the area. And I give my best when teaching. My student now from 60+ in Eng got 83 recently (22 Marks jump). Math also improved a lot. So just wanna share tips!:) So basically I teaches my kid everything from Science, Math, Eng n Chinese since I am a Sci graduate from NUS.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:43:13 GMT

manorway — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:43:13 GMT

Here is yet another account created on 8 March 2018 that also recommends TLL, just like the few others who were also created at the same time.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:43:09 GMT

manorway — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:43:09 GMT

Here is yet another account created on 8 March 2018 that also recommends TLL, just like the few others who were also created at the same time.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:14:20 GMT

CerlynR — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:14:20 GMT

In my son’s case, yes. He is having trouble expressing himself in English. We went to The Learning Lab. The English program here has a holistic approach that develops high reading capabilities, good presentation skills, essential communication skills, immense knowledge on world affairs and creative writing. I am very delighted and proud as a parent to see my son shine in various competitions. All these would not have been possible without The Learning Lab.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 14:59:41 GMT

chenlaoshi — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 14:59:41 GMT

SS Mum\" post_id=\"1916561\" time=\"1561882076\" user_id=\"132417:[quote=\"SS Mum\" post_id=1916561 time=1561882076 user_id=132417]
chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"1916422\" time=\"1561782922\" user_id=\"162894:

For 1-1 tutoring, unless there's a desperate need to, I will focus more on techniques, communication and developing analytical & critical thinking skills, as opposed to spending majority of the time on syllabus related text and giving spelling for textbook words & phrases. I will still go through them but as I explained to the kids, those are covered in school + they are expected to learn and revise them on their own time. The 1.5/2 hr per week can be more effectively utilized doing things that require tutor's guidance/supervision/advice.

Another reason is that out of the 200 marks, only 30-40 (Paper 2 1st 2 sections) are in 'direct' relation to syllabus text. Other components require constant practice and accumulative learning too. This is why for group class, my lesson plans will cover a main area of focus each week (usually 2 weeks on compre related sections, 1 week on compo, 1 week on oral) and I try to do the same for 1-1 tutoring.

【Chen Lao Shi's Official Thread】 --> https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=92344
Thank you for the in-depth analysis. I totally agree that this is the reason why most parents engage 1-1 tutors. My DD grades avg around 65-70%. Would you say there is a desperate need to keep drilling textbook reading and tingxie? Even if there is a need, can't I just do this part and tutor focus on other more important things or teach her something more useful which I'm not able to? I'm really confused but at the same time wondering if I should just hands off and not question what the tutor is doing.[/quote]

SS Mum,

Yes, I think if you can help to monitor and ensure your child work on the revision of syllabus text and prepare well for school spelling, then more effort should be channeled towards compo writing, oral conversation and other sections in paper 2 that are seldom practiced in class/school e.g. 完成对话、阅读理解二A组 as well as comprehension (the types of questions asked are more or less fixed so it is possible to hone and sharpen relevant techniques.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:48:11 GMT

zac's mum — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:48:11 GMT

SS Mum\" post_id=\"1916510\" time=\"1561859676\" user_id=\"132417:[quote=\"SS Mum\" post_id=1916510 time=1561859676 user_id=132417]
Tutor claims to be a graduate. That’s the thing... she claims my DD foundation is weak so she’s unable to do other things. But my DD tingxie is always 98-100%. It’s not the school tingxie, is tutor gives more tingxie on top of schools. She says what she’s doing will help her eventually with all the other components and she will pick those other components up later easier if she does this first. I’m just worried carry on like this, not only am I wasting money but also not enough time to work on other things before SA2 comes. Feeling helpless, usually how long should one assess tutor before changing? Haiz... so hard to find good tutors.[/quote]

Erm...graduate with what degree? Did she major in Chinese language?? Or at least get A1 for her O and A levels??

My P3 DS is getting extra tingxie from his tuition centre also. But those words and phrases are useful compo phrases (and I agree they are important to understand and know, in future can apply). In such a case of such tingxie, I agree with the principle of spending time doing these building blocks for foundation.

You didn’t say how old your girl is. If P5 or P6 would be too late to be still “building foundation” so slowly. U need to find a tutor willing to coach compo & compre. If your girl is still P1-P2 maybe still can work slowly this way...if P3-P4 you are correct, how to handle SA2 components if only doing vocab??

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:26:37 GMT

MrsKiasu — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:26:37 GMT

SS Mum\" post_id=\"1916558\" time=\"1561881511\" user_id=\"132417:[quote=\"SS Mum\" post_id=1916558 time=1561881511 user_id=132417]
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1916513\" time=\"1561861565\" user_id=\"43981:
for me, I dont follow up what tutors taught..so best to go to centres, at least what taught is all aligned..but did you read chenlaoshi's notes..does it make sense to you?
Yes, I did, made total sense to me. But apparently tutor thinks nothing much to plan for as need to it this way to build foundation first. I'm not sure I'm convinced. I do not think her foundation is that poor. A poor foundation child will be failing already.[/quote]

Not sure about the methodology part as I myself not the type who follows closely :oops: maybe some other members could help..on the gut feel side..personally I find if that gives you stress, you can request to take a break with the current tutor? Since it is 'trying'..you may want to try other(s) as well? not P6 right..

My child been failing tingxie big time till cher/tutor called me as last resort..for her it is plainly never study..she likes to talk but not write those kind of pattern..but feedback received was she is not that weak..comes maturity she is much better this year..I m thankful..

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:07:56 GMT

SS Mum — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:07:56 GMT

chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"1916422\" time=\"1561782922\" user_id=\"162894:

For 1-1 tutoring, unless there's a desperate need to, I will focus more on techniques, communication and developing analytical & critical thinking skills, as opposed to spending majority of the time on syllabus related text and giving spelling for textbook words & phrases. I will still go through them but as I explained to the kids, those are covered in school + they are expected to learn and revise them on their own time. The 1.5/2 hr per week can be more effectively utilized doing things that require tutor's guidance/supervision/advice.

Another reason is that out of the 200 marks, only 30-40 (Paper 2 1st 2 sections) are in 'direct' relation to syllabus text. Other components require constant practice and accumulative learning too. This is why for group class, my lesson plans will cover a main area of focus each week (usually 2 weeks on compre related sections, 1 week on compo, 1 week on oral) and I try to do the same for 1-1 tutoring.

【Chen Lao Shi's Official Thread】 --> https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=92344

Thank you for the in-depth analysis. I totally agree that this is the reason why most parents engage 1-1 tutors. My DD grades avg around 65-70%. Would you say there is a desperate need to keep drilling textbook reading and tingxie? Even if there is a need, can't I just do this part and tutor focus on other more important things or teach her something more useful which I'm not able to? I'm really confused but at the same time wondering if I should just hands off and not question what the tutor is doing.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 07:58:31 GMT

SS Mum — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 07:58:31 GMT

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1916513\" time=\"1561861565\" user_id=\"43981:

for me, I dont follow up what tutors taught..so best to go to centres, at least what taught is all aligned..but did you read chenlaoshi's notes..does it make sense to you?

Yes, I did, made total sense to me. But apparently tutor thinks nothing much to plan for as need to it this way to build foundation first. I'm not sure I'm convinced. I do not think her foundation is that poor. A poor foundation child will be failing already.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 02:26:05 GMT

MrsKiasu — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 02:26:05 GMT

for me, I dont follow up what tutors taught…so best to go to centres, at least what taught is all aligned…but did you read chenlaoshi’s notes…does it make sense to you?

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sun, 30 Jun 2019 01:54:36 GMT

SS Mum — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 01:54:36 GMT

Tutor claims to be a graduate. That’s the thing… she claims my DD foundation is weak so she’s unable to do other things. But my DD tingxie is always 98-100%. It’s not the school tingxie, is tutor gives more tingxie on top of schools. She says what she’s doing will help her eventually with all the other components and she will pick those other components up later easier if she does this first. I’m just worried carry on like this, not only am I wasting money but also not enough time to work on other things before SA2 comes. Feeling helpless, usually how long should one assess tutor before changing? Haiz… so hard to find good tutors.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sat, 29 Jun 2019 04:35:22 GMT

chenlaoshi — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 04:35:22 GMT

SS Mum\" post_id=\"1916305\" time=\"1561712372\" user_id=\"132417:[quote=\"SS Mum\" post_id=1916305 time=1561712372 user_id=132417]
Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post this. What should I expect Chinese tutor to teach during tuition time? My dd grades slide a lot after this year SA1. So I got her a tutor but seems like every lesson just reading textbook and doing tingxie? I can also do this myself. Getting the feeling I’m wasting my hard earned money. I’ve told the tutor what I’d like her to focus on but still seems the same. What does your tutor teach during tuition? As my child never had a tutor before I’m not sure what to expect. Help.[/quote]

Hi SS Mum,

Just sharing my personal experience and views.

For 1-1 tutoring, unless there's a desperate need to, I will focus more on techniques, communication and developing analytical & critical thinking skills, as opposed to spending majority of the time on syllabus related text and giving spelling for textbook words & phrases. I will still go through them but as I explained to the kids, those are covered in school + they are expected to learn and revise them on their own time. The 1.5/2 hr per week can be more effectively utilized doing things that require tutor's guidance/supervision/advice.

Another reason is that out of the 200 marks, only 30-40 (Paper 2 1st 2 sections) are in 'direct' relation to syllabus text. Other components require constant practice and accumulative learning too. This is why for group class, my lesson plans will cover a main area of focus each week (usually 2 weeks on compre related sections, 1 week on compo, 1 week on oral) and I try to do the same for 1-1 tutoring.

That said, there's no 1 size fit all. We have to 因材施教. For example:

Failure/Marginal failure
Work on fundamentals like expanding vocab range, mastering syllabus words & phrases (usually flash cards comes into play), strengthening grammar skills. Techniques taught are more focused on 'grabbing' marks so as to score and increase child's confidence level.

Bs pushing for As
Focus on instilling techniques & procedures such that they become a routine. Syllabus words & phrases are covered via going through of exercises/regular 'tests', during which the tricky/commonly tested ones will be explained/discussed in detail.

As pushing for A*
Focus on analytical and critical thinking skills. Exposure to additional Chinese contents like more proverbs/idioms, rhetorical literacy in writing. Pushing range of vocab and use of sentence structuring towards a higher level.

Thus, my advice will be to work with the tutor to identify any weakness and areas for improvement and develop a general/monthly plan with the flexibility of making tweaks and changes based on your child's progress and other factors such as test/exam scheduling.

【Chen Lao Shi's Official Thread】 --> https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=92344

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:34:23 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:34:23 GMT

Hi. Just some inputs. I’ve been teaching for more than half my life. And kind of full time for almost the last 10 years. But I’m more a lecturer than a tutor, as my classes usually range from 50 to 300 people. Teaching as a lecturer versus tutoring is quite different. I started with tutoring, but almost strangled my student. He was a sullen chap, and kept his mouth shut throughout the entire lesson. After that lesson, I told his mother that I cannot teach him and that was it. I guess I prefer yakking to myself in the lecture hall!

Interactivity is key in tuition. In class, teachers are pretty much lecturers. I remembered how one of my literature teachers killed my interest in King Solomon’s Mines by reading and making the class underline what she read, until my books were a mass of red ink.
The problem is, in Singapore, too much attention is focused on learning what is known. And too little on learning what we don’t know. As such, we believe that teachers know everything so we just sit there passively and absorb all that he teaches. The fact is, as we dive deeper into the topic, we find more and more things that we don’t already know!
A basic example is the number system. Everyone, kids included, knows that 1+1=2. But why not 1+1=10? That would be true if we all only have 2 fingers, so our thinking is automatically binary. Our knowledge is built on top of other knowledge which become so common that we lose track and call them assumptions. So 1+1=2 is so basic that we automatically assume the denary system when we add. That is why it is so difficult to understand newly discovered cultures, as we would have grown from different fundamentals.
In short, tutors that can treat their charges differently from classroom teachers need to be very patient to listen to and understand their students. The students must see you more as a confidant, someone they trust and can confide in. And as parents, we should understand this and not demand instant results based on what we pay the tutors.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:20:26 GMT

zac's mum — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:20:26 GMT

SS Mum\" post_id=\"1916305\" time=\"1561712372\" user_id=\"132417:[quote=\"SS Mum\" post_id=1916305 time=1561712372 user_id=132417]
Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post this. What should I expect Chinese tutor to teach during tuition time? My dd grades slide a lot after this year SA1. So I got her a tutor but seems like every lesson just reading textbook and doing tingxie? I can also do this myself. Getting the feeling I’m wasting my hard earned money. I’ve told the tutor what I’d like her to focus on but still seems the same. What does your tutor teach during tuition? As my child never had a tutor before I’m not sure what to expect. Help.[/quote]

What did you ask the tutor to focus on?

Since the tutor is not doing what you requested, did she explain why she is just doing textbook and tingxie? Is it because your DD’s foundation is very weak or she is failing her tingxie, therefore need to go over these vocab over and over again during tuition lesson?

What are your tutor’s qualifications and experience? If she has no good explanation for just sticking to the basic stuff during tuition, then it’s very fishy & better to change to another one.

Proper Chinese tutors usually are able to train the kids for the major exam components, eg sentence construction/composition, oral reading out of comprehension passages (including explaining unfamiliar words), plus how to highlight clues and answer compre qns in the correct format.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:59:32 GMT

SS Mum — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:59:32 GMT

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post this. What should I expect Chinese tutor to teach during tuition time? My dd grades slide a lot after this year SA1. So I got her a tutor but seems like every lesson just reading textbook and doing tingxie? I can also do this myself. Getting the feeling I’m wasting my hard earned money. I’ve told the tutor what I’d like her to focus on but still seems the same. What does your tutor teach during tuition? As my child never had a tutor before I’m not sure what to expect. Help.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Tue, 02 Oct 2018 07:07:24 GMT

FindHomeTuition — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 07:07:24 GMT

Just another person in the education sector sharing my opinion.

Well, when it comes to tuition, I think take what other parents are doing with a pinch of salt, no point to keep comparing how many enrichment classes other kids have/ the super tutors they're hiring etc.

Choose a tutor if you recognise that it is a need that your child has, are they struggling in their early years of education? If you child is in pri 1-3 but they're not able to show basic knowledge of their subjects, its best not to wait. However if they seem to be able to understand basic concepts but simply make careless mistakes then its something you are able to rectify by spending more time working on papers and syllabus with them

Some helpful articles:
https://smiletutor.sg/5-biggest-misconceptions-of-hiring-a-tutor/
https://smiletutor.sg/when-tuition-does-more-good-than-harm/
https://smiletutor.sg/complete-guide-to-group-tuition-in-singapore-literally-everything-you-need-to-know-and-more/

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sat, 14 Jul 2018 09:21:56 GMT

Meiling090 — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 09:21:56 GMT

kids definitely need tuition, unless u r a teacher yourself or are really good at the school subjects…

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Sat, 07 Jul 2018 20:30:04 GMT

kchairenn — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 20:30:04 GMT

mylulaoshi:
This is ironic being a PSLE Chinese Specialist myself. I don't agree students require regular tuition. Our students come, rectify their issue, achieve their goal within a few months. Unless parents/student are clear of their objective, then tuition will serve it's purpose. Tuition is Medicine/ Vaccination/Protein Shake. Not Vitamin. No point wasting time/money on ineffective tuition.

It is because you are a specialist, that is why you have a clearer understanding.

Imo, the education received in the school should be the staple, i.e. the carbohydrates that we consume in our food. Tuition, especially those that are not aligned with the MOE curriculum or that does not serve the purpose as a medicine or protein shake, should not be placed before school. If the children listen in class, refer to their lesson materials when doing assignments and ask good questions, attending regular tuition will only dampen their interest in the subjects and give them unnecessary confidence.

Parents should indeed find the root cause and address it accordingly, instead of blindly listening to recommendations. I find it disturbing when some tutors dump assessment books onto the children, causing them unable to finish the school's assignments. Some children're weak due to poor foundation or lack of understanding, not lack of practices! Tuition should make up for the differences that schools cannot fully provide, such as more play to boost confidence and interest.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:05:55 GMT

celeste_ng — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:05:55 GMT

Composition writing skills are very important. Must start from young. When I see my eldest child's writing, I often regret that I didn't focus enough on his English writing skills

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Mon, 14 May 2018 03:22:51 GMT

kzone — Mon, 14 May 2018 03:22:51 GMT

Most kids need tuition… but the tutor can either be the parents themselves or outsource to external.

Just like all houses need someone to clean. Either you clean yourselves or hire domestic helper or part time cleaner.

So whether u need to employ external help for tutoring depends on your available time, how well you can tutor your kids urself and the $$ u willing to spend if u outsource it.

For me, if the financial situation allows it, I will outsource the formal tuition needs and spend my time to coach my kids on their soft skills and character building.

Reply to Does our kid really need tutor? on Thu, 12 Apr 2018 03:03:14 GMT

mylulaoshi — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 03:03:14 GMT

This is ironic being a PSLE Chinese Specialist myself. I don’t agree students require regular tuition. Our students come, rectify their issue, achieve their goal within a few months. Unless parents/student are clear of their objective, then tuition will serve it’s purpose. Tuition is Medicine/ Vaccination/Protein Shake. Not Vitamin. No point wasting time/money on ineffective tuition.