Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[JustADad]

I have been sending my son to Tien Hsia at Katong Mall. (I heard Katong Mall has been sold - so any impact?)


Now, Berries is opening near my place but it is more expensive.

We are now in two minds… cheaper Tien Hsia (39 lessons a year) further away or more expensive Berries (48 lessons a year) walking distance from my home?

[corneyAmber]

I have tried both and my judgement is both does the job decently with some differences in approach.


Berries cost a bit more becos of the duration and the materials.
The duration is 1 hr 45 mins and the materials has an additional reading book that uses the words learnt in the lesson. At the start of the next lesson, this book is being read individually to the teacher. This is good becos the early birds can begin first while waiting for the late comers to arrive before the lesson proper commence. There are 2 teachers in each class so they can complete this reading rounds fairly quickly.

During the class, they typically act out the scenario…example if it is about "going to the market" they will draw the stalls on the whiteboard and get the children to determine what they want to buy…etc…

They have a story telling session in each lesson where computer visuals are projected in a different room.

Finally, they introduce chinese proverbs where relevant in the passages, creating awareness of the usage of these proverbs.

[caroline3sg]

usaik

If you are banging on TienHsia enrichment programme to improve oral & listening comprehension, I can tell you it is not enough. Only towards sch exams, TienHsia would have 1 practise each. Sch may have more than 1 practise per exam.

For oral, besides knowing how to use the correct vocab at the right context (ie exposure), one must also speak the language frequently so that the words/phrases come naturally and not stumble or pause.

Listening comprehension is relatively easier.

With regards to textbooks for Chinese in S’pore schs, they are all same except that some sch have higher chinese from P1. You can see in Popular there are only 2 types of chinese textbboks, one for higher chinese and one for primary chinese.

[HappyAvon]

Dear All KS parents, in case if u are not aware, Berries is opening a new location in Mountbatten Community Club this month. I am planning to send my girl for the N2 course-First Bite in Jan next year.


Course structure for 1st bite will be as follows :

-Berries Read & Recognition Programme : lays foundation for interest in reading through short sentences created using words they have learnt.
-Conversational practise help to fabricate confidence in comms
-Thematic nursery rhymes: initiate interest, refine language skills and develop an inquisitive mind.
_Craftwork
-Story telling and game sessions

Am deciding between Molin and Berris but have not looked at Molin’s course structure yet. Of course Berries@mountbatten will be more advantage to us since it is within walking distance.

[ChiefKiasu]

HappyAvon:

Dear All KS parents, in case if u are not aware, Berries is opening a new location in Mountbatten Community Club this month. I am planning to send my girl for the N2 course-First Bite in Jan next year....Am deciding between Molin and Berris but have not looked at Molin's course structure yet. Of course Berries@mountbatten will be more advantage to us since it is within walking distance.

Hmmm... sounds like you are staying very close to me My wife told me about it last month, but I was quite reluctant to move my daughter since she is enjoying herself so much in Everlasting Education in Katong Mall.

[JustADad]

What is the class size for Berries? In Tien Hsia, it is 10 students? Still contemplating whether to switch to Berries next year as it is closer to my place.

[aggellim]

hi justAdad ,


Formation of a class is subject to a minimum or 4 students ( 1 teacher )

12 students ( 2 teachers ) Max .

[JustADad]

if you had the following choices - which would you choose?


1. Tien Hsia - further away, cheaper, 39 lessons a year
2. Berries - walking distance - 500m, more expensive ($150 more per term), 48 lessons a year.

:?:

Berries at Mountbatten CC is opening in mid October.

[caroline3sg]

JustADad

You only compare distance, money & no. of lessons. How about contents of syllabus and teachers? I think these 2 criteria are more important. A good teacher can motivate and instil interest in a child of the subject.

What are you looking for in chinese? Written? Oral? General Knowledge? Confidence?

I feel that TienHsia for upper primary can be improved to include newspaper readings for discussion of current affairs. But they are really very good in their writing programmes and identifying picture conversation for exams.

[HappyAvon]

ChiefKiasu:

HappyAvon:

Dear All KS parents, in case if u are not aware, Berries is opening a new location in Mountbatten Community Club this month. I am planning to send my girl for the N2 course-First Bite in Jan next year....Am deciding between Molin and Berris but have not looked at Molin's course structure yet. Of course Berries@mountbatten will be more advantage to us since it is within walking distance.

Hmmm... sounds like you are staying very close to me My wife told me about it last month, but I was quite reluctant to move my daughter since she is enjoying herself so much in Everlasting Education in Katong Mall.

Hi Chief, we are staying in cassia crescent.. btw, i heard berries is good. My sister's son has been with them for 2 years and his wwords recognition has improved tremendously....