Comparing Science Enrichment Programs

[Celyw]

This is what they wrote me:

It is mandatory for prospective students to enroll for a trial lesson, prior to the commencement of lessons with The Pique Lab.

For us, we’re all about the best fit. There are two main qualifying criteria when we shortlist students for our regular classes:

1) Learning Attitude
2) Learning Aptitude (Ability)

1) A student with a good learning attitude and aptitude will be the best fit for our Science programme. We’re best able to help him/her improve in the shortest period of time (In some cases, we’ve had students who saw their grades jumping from 70s to high 80s in less than 3 months)

2) A student with a good learning attitude and poor learning aptitude will eventually improve, so long as they put in the hard work to memorise, revise and apply what they learn. They’ll probably take a longer time to absorb the subject matter, but we’ve seen them improve once they’re equipped with the right skills to excel.

3) We’ve also worked with students with poor learning attitudes (i.e. lazy) and good learning aptitudes. Assuming that these students comfortable with the learning environment, we can try to work with them to overcome their learning challenges. However, a lot of effort is often required to get them to a state where they’re ready to learn and improve. Parents usually commit for one term to assess if our classes work for their kids. In certain cases, we’ve managed to inspire and motivate them to change for the better.

4) The regular classes are not suitable for students with poor learning attitudes and aptitudes. In most cases, these students tend to be disinterested in the subject matter and have problems trying to pay attention in class. (Read more below on these students can be helped)

We recognise that our primary school Science programmes are not a one-size-fits-all solution for every student. While we strive to provide the best learning environment for our students, we also understand that not every student will benefit fully from our programmes. As such, we’ve decided to put in place a behavioural assessment during the trial lesson to quickly assess if the student has a higher propensity of improvement under our guidance.

During the trial lesson, the teacher is able to observe the student’s performance and highlight any potential challenges so that parents can make an informed decision before committing to our regular classes. This is especially important as it is crucial for parents and teachers to align their expectations and work hand-in-hand to maximise a student’s potential.

On the contrary, if a student exhibits signs of inattentiveness, disruption and/or laziness, it’s not that he/she cannot be helped. Rather, a different learning approach should be adopted & it’s typically best administered through a private 1 to 1 arrangement, which we do not offer at our centre. As different students have different learning needs, our role as educators is to find one that best fits them, so they can spend their time meaningfully every week.

Thank you!

[MerlionInGermany]

In short, they want to choose a student who will give good grades in a short time, translating to positive reviews.

[Celyw]

Ya practising what the learning lab used to do?


But this center is worst they forced you to attend Cci 12 hours lessons $547 B4 letting u attend the regular class. But this 12 hours classes spread across 4 days in 1 week so we cannot fetch the kid as it is during day time not even evening session

Because I cannot attend Cci they want me to purchase $247 A4 papers materials otherwise they do not let me reserve a slot for my kid in New term. Fine! I pay but now they demand for this trial class. I don’t understand the logic it’s not even entry test its based on that teacher personal assessment of my kid.

[mommyNg]

Celyw\" post_id=\"1951901\" time=\"1575629641\" user_id=\"2810:

Ya practising what the learning lab used to do?

But this center is worst they forced you to attend Cci 12 hours lessons $547 B4 letting u attend the regular class. But this 12 hours classes spread across 4 days in 1 week so we cannot fetch the kid as it is during day time not even evening session

Because I cannot attend Cci they want me to purchase $247 A4 papers materials otherwise they do not let me reserve a slot for my kid in New term. Fine! I pay but now they demand for this trial class. I don't understand the logic it's not even entry test its based on that teacher personal assessment of my kid.

Is The Pique Lab really that good for you to endure their demands...?

天涯何处无芳草，何必忍受又烦恼。除非真比其他好，劝君另寻名师好。
(there are many science tuition/enrichment centers in Singapore, unless The Pique Lab is really that good, imho, you may want to explore other options, possibly better ones?)

[Celyw]

Yes all thanks to pique lab I’m going to read this entire thread do more research to find a better tuition center for my kid. Thanks

[Estéema]

Celyw\" post_id=\"1951901\" time=\"1575629641\" user_id=\"2810:

Ya practising what the learning lab used to do?

But this center is worst they forced you to attend Cci 12 hours lessons $547 B4 letting u attend the regular class. But this 12 hours classes spread across 4 days in 1 week so we cannot fetch the kid as it is during day time not even evening session

Because I cannot attend Cci they want me to purchase $247 A4 papers materials otherwise they do not let me reserve a slot for my kid in New term. Fine! I pay but now they demand for this trial class. I don't understand the logic it's not even entry test its based on that teacher personal assessment of my kid.

On my! I thot TLL was high handed forcing us to take holiday lessons. Pique Lab worst huh? :shock:

[nkh122019]

bencaptain76\" post_id=\"1878723\" time=\"1539518818\" user_id=\"172417:

Any recommendation for one to one for Science tuition in Kembangan area? I approached a centre recently. My child is very weak in foundation. I showed the teacher at the centre my child's Science exam paper. The teacher looked through and highlighted the areas that my child is weak in. I was impressed as the teacher was able to pinpoint my child's weaknesses by looking at the paper.

the teacher told me very frankly that my child would need one to one. No point wasting money and time in group lessons. On to one - the tutor can help my child in specific areas and topics. These were the exact words used by the school teacher when I talked to my child's school teacher.

Would appreciate if anyone has recommendation. I think the tutor and the school teacher are right. As parents, we have to recognise that not every child can cope with a group class. I also mentioned that my child has low self-confidence. She is afraid of asking her school teacher and always seems to think that the teacher is picking on her when the teacher points out some mistakes she makes. But I talked to the school teacher before and a number of parents too. I know that the teacher was only trying to help my child. No doubt the teacher is very strict. But I can understand why. It is not easy to handle a class of 40 kids.

Any advice on what I can do on the self-confidence part?

There's Ultimate Math & Science at Kembangan area. 9748 6085.... my child attended the lesson with Teacher Sandy. Together with Mrs Seet, both are ex-sch teachers. Joined in Jan and scored A during PSLE. phew!

[nkh122019]

busydad99\" post_id=\"1878718\" time=\"1539516208\" user_id=\"172403:

Does anyone have contact for a responsible Science tutor in Sengkang area?

There's Ultimate Math & Science at Kembangan area. 9748 6085.... my child attended the lesson with Teacher Sandy. Together with Mrs Seet, both are ex-sch teachers. Joined in Jan and scored A during PSLE. phew!

[henry245]

There are many tuition centers or tutors out there who have different ways of teaching or helping your kids. I think in the end, it really depends on the environment your kid is suited for. Question to ask will be whether your kid is able to do well in a group environment, or requires individual attention. In my case, i have tried both and find that my kid gets less distracted in a 1-1 setting. Thus, the next thing for me to consider is the profile of tutor that I want for my kid. This will be tougher and need to try it out sometimes, and also to understand the tutor’s strength or teaching technique. Personally i prefer full - time tutor who I find generally are more dedicated and less disruptive in changing or adjusting the tuition time for my kid. I hope this simple process will help you in finding your tutor as that is what I did for my current science tutor for my kid.

[Zeal mummy]

Celyw\" post_id=\"1951901\" time=\"1575629641\" user_id=\"2810:

Ya practising what the learning lab used to do?

But this center is worst they forced you to attend Cci 12 hours lessons $547 B4 letting u attend the regular class. But this 12 hours classes spread across 4 days in 1 week so we cannot fetch the kid as it is during day time not even evening session

Because I cannot attend Cci they want me to purchase $247 A4 papers materials otherwise they do not let me reserve a slot for my kid in New term. Fine! I pay but now they demand for this trial class. I don't understand the logic it's not even entry test its based on that teacher personal assessment of my kid.

Tell them there are plenty of tuition centers that want your business. If they are serious about improving your child’s grades, they wouldn’t be so demanding. I feel that they might be running Low on resources and are therefore more selective.