Comparing English Enrichment Programmes

[jeestan]

Hellokitty2:

Hi,


Anyone has any information about TAS's education trail at Nex Shopping centre?
I heard they are having an education trail something like a maths and science trail from another friend but she is also not sure about the information. Anyone knows about this?

Hi hellokitty2,

It is on Saturday from 5- 8 plus pm. They are going to have some science or math trial where the children will go to the supermarkets in nex to complete. It is like Amazing Race but an educational one. I am also bringing my kids down.

I think you need a consent form. But this event is part of their community service programme in case you do not know. The kids need to bring $4 for food.

You should call Yvonne(one of the TAS admin persons) at 67588744 to ask her about it. I think there is another number you can call to ask about community service programmes, 81184902. But I think the second number is strictly to ask about community svc programmes.

[LadyBug3]

Hi jeestan or any TAS parent,


I have not sent my kids to TAS although I wanted to after sending them to their holiday programme where I found them very good. I decided for convenience sake to stick to their current tuition centre. However, I find my kids not very motivated nowadays and they are also not doing well. How is the English and Science over at TAS for their regular classes. Any feedback? (in terms of are your kids motivated to go for classes, and when the kids dont improve, what do they do to try to help? the current centre keeps saying english takes time to improve and tt the paper is hard, but they have been saying that without really analysing what is wrong and they have been saying that for over 1 year, I am not asking for a miracle cure, but what I want is at least that the teachers or centre takes what you say and really try to give a solution)

I know of kids at brand-name tuition centres who also do not improve, I know a lot depends on the child and also the parents but I also do not want the tchers to keep giving some reason like paper is hard, eng hard to master certain sections etc. It is like they do not even try.

[hquek]

hi ladybug3,


I think you should sign your kids up for Tas trial - it’s free and it’s with the regular lessons (not a special session); and see if they like it.

So far my P1 kid is happy with his class. He does grumble when he has to memorise the dictation and all but he’ll not mention that after the lesson is over. He’s pretty motivated and I’m happy to hear his sound coming out from the class (to me, it shows he’s participating in the class).

I find the teacher usually able to answer my question and give good feedback on MY kid. There was once when I can’t wait for her and dash out after class, she’ll run after me to tell me if there are any problem areas I should note. Else if I ask her, she’ll be pretty detailed in telling me what they did in class etc.

I’ve sent him for quite a few other classes. So far, TAS is the only one that is consistently overtime - minimally 10 minutes. But it doesn’t affect the next class becos they give ‘grace time’ when planning the timings.

[HaleyCopterz]

Hi Ladybug3,


I have my kids at TAS since the beginning of this year. I decided to put them in after getting their creative writing book. I used their book to teach my class(I am a teacher) and I find the book very effective. I find it hard to teach my own kids at times as I will get impatient with them so I think its better to out-source.

As a teacher, I understand that English and for that matter even Maths and Science are subjects that may be easy to pass but not easy to master and do well. There are indeed components that are extremely hard to manage- the comprehension cloze for one, vocaabulary and even comprehension. The children must really read very widely to be able to do well in these sections. In schools, many of us also do not have specific strategies to teach these sections or even if we do, it may not be that effective.

So when I sent my kids to TAS, I was also not expecting a miracle. However, what I see is that they really do have specific techniques to teach even the difficult components.

For comprehension, my kids find it easier to understand the passage when they are taught to read the questions first and think deeper when they read (ask why). They also are taught to always take note if they are answering to the question. Now, again, it is not a ‘100% can work’ method as there are times my kids still struggle but I do see that unlike many other centres, there are concrete steps taken to tackle this component.

For vocabulary, they also have mnemonic notes to help the children remember what they are taught which I find very effective because many times, the kids will forget all the vocab we teach them after 1 week.

For compre cloze, they teach them to look for contextual clues which helps at times but I find this is the hardest section to master.

For synthesis, I gave the suggestion that they put their notes in a book so we parents can also revise with our kids at home and they said they were thinking of doing so but after my suggestion, they really took it up and came up with the book within a very short time, and in time for us to revise before the exams. So I give them top marks for effort put in and for really trying to understand the needs of the parents and children and to do something about it.

For science, I also put one of my kids in and my kid loves their science lessons and there are mnemonic notes to help them remember what they learnt better and also they teach them how to identify the key concepts needed to answer a question which I find useful.

So far, I have no regrets signing my kids up at TAS for English and Science and I have tried many other centres but none have as clear a pedagogy as TAS and none give me a such a genuine feeling that TAS gives.

[quirkymum]

Hi all,


I have been asking TAS about their new confirmed classes for Ang Mo Kio. I have some timings. Just to share with everyone if you are looking for new timings.

- Monday 5.15 pm - 6.45 pm (P4 science)
- Tuesday 5 - 7 pm (most prob P1/2 or K2/P1)
- Saturday 2.15 pm - 4.15 pm (level not decided yet).

I am looking at P2 for my cousin’s dd. anyone out there also P2 want to form a group to join either tues 5-7 pm or sat 2.15 pm - 4.15 pm?

[Monster Mummy]

HaleyCopterz:

Hi Ladybug3,


I have my kids at TAS since the beginning of this year. I decided to put them in after getting their creative writing book. I used their book to teach my class(I am a teacher) and I find the book very effective. I find it hard to teach my own kids at times as I will get impatient with them so I think its better to out-source.

As a teacher, I understand that English and for that matter even Maths and Science are subjects that may be easy to pass but not easy to master and do well. There are indeed components that are extremely hard to manage- the comprehension cloze for one, vocaabulary and even comprehension. The children must really read very widely to be able to do well in these sections. In schools, many of us also do not have specific strategies to teach these sections or even if we do, it may not be that effective.

So when I sent my kids to TAS, I was also not expecting a miracle. However, what I see is that they really do have specific techniques to teach even the difficult components.

For comprehension, my kids find it easier to understand the passage when they are taught to read the questions first and think deeper when they read (ask why). They also are taught to always take note if they are answering to the question. Now, again, it is not a '100% can work' method as there are times my kids still struggle but I do see that unlike many other centres, there are concrete steps taken to tackle this component.

For vocabulary, they also have mnemonic notes to help the children remember what they are taught which I find very effective because many times, the kids will forget all the vocab we teach them after 1 week.

For compre cloze, they teach them to look for contextual clues which helps at times but I find this is the hardest section to master.

For synthesis, I gave the suggestion that they put their notes in a book so we parents can also revise with our kids at home and they said they were thinking of doing so but after my suggestion, they really took it up and came up with the book within a very short time, and in time for us to revise before the exams. So I give them top marks for effort put in and for really trying to understand the needs of the parents and children and to do something about it.

For science, I also put one of my kids in and my kid loves their science lessons and there are mnemonic notes to help them remember what they learnt better and also they teach them how to identify the key concepts needed to answer a question which I find useful.

So far, I have no regrets signing my kids up at TAS for English and Science and I have tried many other centres but none have as clear a pedagogy as TAS and none give me a such a genuine feeling that TAS gives.

Dear All,

I truly agreed as my son currently attending the course in TAS, I realised that his vocabulary really improved. Even though he need to memorise the dictation every lesson but it is a pleasure for him as it seem that he can memorise everything.

[PretzelT]

Yes, I agree that TAS is effective. Both my children could improve quite fast and my dd improved a lot last year after attending just a few weeks of TAS lessons. But I do know of some children who take a much longer time. They can’t seem to apply what they have learnt and I see some parents get very discouraged. I think every child is different so its best not to join any one centre hoping for a magical cure.


Some of my friends had kids at Han who did well, mine joined but did not like lessons and did not show improvement. So sometimes no choice have to have trial and error till you find the right one.

[aaaaaa]

quirkymum:

Hi all,


I have been asking TAS about their new confirmed classes for Ang Mo Kio. I have some timings. Just to share with everyone if you are looking for new timings.

- Monday 5.15 pm - 6.45 pm (P4 science)
- Tuesday 5 - 7 pm (most prob P1/2 or K2/P1)
- Saturday 2.15 pm - 4.15 pm (level not decided yet).

I am looking at P2 for my cousin's dd. anyone out there also P2 want to form a group to join either tues 5-7 pm or sat 2.15 pm - 4.15 pm?

Hi Quirkymum,

i am interested in joining you for the P2 class on Sat 2:15pm. Let me know if you are able to get more children for the class.

Thanks

[The Alternative Story]

glendt:

Hi TAS,


I am also interested in your P1 prep class. I have been waiting for this class for a while. However, my girl has swimming lessons at that time. I will try to change it to suit your timing but just in case, are there any other timings?

Hi glendt,

Currently the only K2/P1 class we are having is on Tuesday 5-7pm
at Ang Mo Kio.

TAS

[The Alternative Story]

Monster Mummy:

Dear TAS,

I am interested for this timing but can I know currently there are how many students been register for this timing seem it is waiting for at least 4 students before new class started.

Hi Monster Mummy,

For the K2/P1 class, we have currently 2 students waiting to start the class.

You could call us or email us to register your interest, once we have
4 confirmed students, we will start.

TAS