Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[MMM]

Hi Chief,


My girl is 3 yrs and 2 months given that she is a November 2005 baby.

So far they learn rhymes and also chinese characters every lesson. Eg. Wo shi nu hai zi, etc… They also do singing and dancing in class. Molin usually has a performance by the students every quarter.

Unfortunately I am unable to compare as I’ve not tried Berries and the others. My cousin who teaches chinese in my kids’ preschool recommended Berries, Molin and Tien Hsia to me based on what she observed in the kids she taught. We were open to all but in the end, we went for Molin and have never look back or once regretted the decision.

But one observation is that Molin only has 1 centre unlike the rest. Pros and cons. The principal is those who is very committed/ passionate about teaching the language. We always see her at the school. When my son was in K1, she would conduct briefing after every lesson to the parents.

[ChiefKiasu]

MMM:

Hi Chief,


My girl is 3 yrs and 2 months given that she is a November 2005 baby.
... The principal is those who is very committed/ passionate about teaching the language. We always see her at the school. When my son was in K1, she would conduct briefing after every lesson to the parents.

I just enquired today. Seems like there are only 2 Nursery classes... a weekday (forgot which one) and Sunday 9:30am. I also checked some of their material. Quite close to what Berries is doing, or at least similar concept.

Yes, I spoke with the principal before and she comes across as a highly dedicated and down-to-earth person. Most of the Molin teachers seem highly supportive and encouraging to their students.

[MMM]

That’s probably my girl’s class. Monday 4.40 - 6.15pm.


Yah I think it’s her "down to earth" image that makes the school appear less commercialised.

[MMM]

Yes, I think the teachers are generally supportive and committed. Not those that appear to be just taking a salary and doing a job. My son is the weak type and I put him through additional hypy lessons in K2. His teachers (a teacher who used to teach him in K1 as well his then K2 teacher) were so committed as to pull him aside and give him extra guidance. Also, his teacher would always encourage him to work harder,etc… eg. she sounded just like a relative auntie encouraging him to work hard. It’s that kind of feeling.


Also, though there are teachers leaving from time to time but it’s not high turnover. We encountered a teacher leaving with my P1 last year but transition is smooth and teachers appear to teach across std rather than specialising in particular level only. This is probably a good backup plans for the school.

But those points aside, I think key thing is the ability to produce results.

Had a niece in MBS as well and my cousin was telling me that they put their girl at Jiang Laoshi as they heard "Molin std has dropped". Well… back to those disc again about "stds dropping". To me, the top 2nd student in MBS in 2007 studied in Molin and based on observation, those MBS kids whom we know are attending Molin are in the good chinese banding classes.

[J2mum]

Mmm,

My boy is only N1 this year. I rbr u mentioned there is only program for N2. If they have for N1 then I can send two over. I cld really save my time as well. The price is affortable. Thanks for sharing with me.

[sleepy]

My P1 girl is taking Higher Chinese. Right now I’m coaching her using assessment books. She can manage the assessment books but she doesn’t enjoy learning Chinese.


She’s also rather resistant to writing & her retention isn’t so great as I noticed I have to teach her to write the same word over & over again. She forgets that Chinese character after a few days!


Chief & all experienced parents,

Read the various review about Molin & Jiang Education.
Which would you recommend for her case?

Or should I send her to those that instil ‘love’ in the language, rather than academic focused type of enrichments?

[MMM]

Hi Sleepy,


Could it be a readiness thing? Maybe other parents would like to comment.

My boy is also doing P1 higher chinese now. He is good in his hypy but when it comes to writing chinese character, it is also a struggle. Even with his name esp sirname as there are too many strokes!

I was trying to recall what my girl did last year when she was in P1 and for her, the emphasis was very much on hypy in the 1st semester. I think they only started with some writing from 2nd term. I don’t recall that my girl was very good at writing characters then.

But after SA1 and they are streamed according to results, there was significantly more emphasis on chinese character and lesser on hypy eg. tingxie has many characters and hypy,etc… and probably a readiness thing, she just picked up then. Till now I am quite impressed with her level of knowledge in the language and sometimes hubby is also put to shame as he was previously from those missionary school so not "chinese focus". Like last nite, we were struggling with the san zi jing homework that my P1 has… I got my girl to teach him as mummy is also helpless.

[Picolo]

Hi


Anyone tried Xue Ni ( http://www.xueni.com.sg/ ) before? I am looking more at the compo writing classes. Feedback appreciated.

I have friends who send kids to StoryIsland ( http://www.storyisland.com.sg/index.html ) and they give good feedback too. However, StoryIsland doesn't have compo classes.

BTW, both founders are ex-broadcasters.

[sleepy]

MMM

Thanks for sharing your experience




Chief, MMM
Why did you choose Molin over Jiang Education for your child?

By the way, earlier in the thread was there a comparison done between Molin & Jiang Education? (can't seem to find it)

What's the difference between these 2?

[J2mum]

MMM,

I just signed up with Molin. My ger is going to K1 class on Sunday. At the end of the lesson the principal brief the parents about what they have learnt.

Is the principal going to brief the parents after each lesson?

I checked with my ger, she told me she enjoyed the lesson and there is only 4 kids in her class. The teacher should be able to give her all the attention she need.

I’m signing up my N1 son to Berries as there is no N1 class at Molin. After comparing, Berries is more expansive.