Comparing Chinese Enrichment (Primary/Preschool)

[sesame246]

Hi,


Can anyone share their experience with Jiang Education for P5/6 higher Chinese? I heard the class size is quite big so I am not sure if it is effective.

Thanks in advance.

[Naviseal]

sian…Tien Hsia Bishan no more vacancy next year for P2 classes :x

[pikachu]

Anyone know which centre provides higher chinese enrichment for secondary one? Heard some centre also have topic discussion?

[outsider]

My son can speak fluent Mandarin but he cannot recognise the chinese characters well. I decided to try berries to see if it helps.


I attended one trial lesson at berries with my ds (N2). There were not many students in the class as it was the 9am session. The lesson was conducted in a fun and relaxed way. The children converse in English when they were talking to each other. However, I was very impressed with their abilities to recognise the chinese characters. The teacher show me a thick stack of card of chinese characters, the children were able to read them.

They looked happy too.

I would have let my son joined the class but he didnt want to. Guess have to teach him on my own.

[Atan]

I have seen Yuquan demonstration on the chinese breakfast show and how they train on idioms. It seemed to be basically reciting and 'learning by hard' method. Acc to the principal, kids would naturally remember in this way. Personally, I do not agree to such method as I would be put off if I am a kid myself. I am very sure that it would not suit my son.


During my school days, I often top the chinese subject and the only secret was reading and more reading which developed a keen interest in the language. Through reading, I believe one would naturally pick up the chinese idioms .

[tamarind]

Atan:

I have seen Yuquan demonstration on the chinese breakfast show and how they train on idioms. It seemed to be basically reciting and 'learning by hard' method. Acc to the principal, kids would naturally remember in this way. Personally, I do not agree to such method as I would be put off if I am a kid myself. I am very sure that it would not suit my son.


During my school days, I often top the chinese subject and the only secret was reading and more reading which developed a keen interest in the language. Through reading, I believe one would naturally pick up the chinese idioms .

This is exactly how I used to learn Chinese too, reading and reading, no enrichment class needed. I often topped the class in Chinese too.

However, I believe that the Chinese teachers in primary schools during my time are very much better compared to now. I looked at my girl's P1 textbook and it was horrible. If the teacher only follow the textbook to teach, those kids who have not learned Chinese before P1, are going to have a very tough time. That's why in the other thread about Bilingualism, there are parents complaining that Chinese is difficult to learn. This is basically due to poor teachers.

I am glad that I sent my kids to a good enrichment class like Berries since they were 4 years old.

[KingRascal]

tamarind:

This is exactly how I used to learn Chinese too, reading and reading, no enrichment class needed. I often topped the class in Chinese too.


However, I believe that the Chinese teachers in primary schools during my time are very much better compared to now. I looked at my girl's P1 textbook and it was horrible. If the teacher only follow the textbook to teach, those kids who have not learned Chinese before P1, are going to have a very tough time. That's why in the other thread about Bilingualism, there are parents complaining that Chinese is difficult to learn. This is basically due to poor teachers.

I am glad that I sent my kids to a good enrichment class like Berries since they were 4 years old.

I completely agree with you guys too that it's all about reading and enjoying reading! I picked up my interest and command of words from novels, especially Wesley's series on scientific fictions and crimes!

I also agree that the quality of the teachers matters. My sending of DS to enrichment centre is also to cater for the development of the love for the language, not so much for the syllabus teaching.

[maisy]

Hi dear parents

This question is more for the "east-ers"i suppose…but non-easter who are aware of this centre , pls feel free to offer your views too…

How about the standard at The Children’s Art Threatre (basement of Kembangan Plaza) - any good?

I see a lot of students walking in & out in the centre’s Tshirt & long pants …but wonder if it is any good… Apparently the owners are "people known in the chinese media fraternity …"

Comments please…

[tamarind]

KingRascal:

I completely agree with you guys too that it's all about reading and enjoying reading! I picked up my interest and command of words from novels, especially Wesley's series on scientific fictions and crimes!


I also agree that the quality of the teachers matters. My sending of DS to enrichment centre is also to cater for the development of the love for the language, not so much for the syllabus teaching.

Yes the keyword is \"enjoying\" ! If kids enjoy reading in Chinese, they will be motivated to learn

[Busymom]

i3mum:

Anyone has any feedback about Eduplus at Ghim Moh & Tien Xia? Is it suitable/ good for kids in K1 & Nursery? I know Berries is a good choice, but more costly for me.

Hi i3mum

You could refer to my post on page 30 of this thread where I have posted one of DD's term tests in K1. DD started with Tien Hsia at 3+. I have never revised anything with DD at home after her lesson in Tien Hsia, but somehow, she has managed to do ok in my opinion and retained many of the words that she has learned (by the way, we speak 100% English at home). Recently, I got one of her friends who attends Berries to read some story books that I purchased externally. I would say both their standards are about the same, there are some words that the friend couldn't read, and there are some words that my DD couldn't read.

You could also refer to my post on page 21 of this thread. Personally, I find Tien Hsia being very flexible on our requests so far, be it make-up lesson or having her teacher separately revising what DD has missed (if a make-up is no longer possible during the same week). The fact that it only has 10 lessons per term also suits us fine, in case we want to go somewhere for holidays, although that has hardly ever stopped us from taking a holiday as and when our work schedules permit (must make full use of the fact that DD is not yet in primary school mah).

Although DD is attending Tien Hsia in Orchard, I have come across good comments from other parents in KSP forum whose kids have attended Tien Hsia in Jurong (sorry, can't remember where those comments are located).

Another friend also has good review about the Eduplus in Pandan Valley and what is interesting about Eduplus is that they have recordings during the class. I believe speaking is an important aspect of learning a language. Worth considering if you are undecided.

Bottomline is, all these centres are good in their own way, otherwise, you wouldn't find parents still sending their kids to these centres. Having some enrichment is better than not having at all.

Wishing you best of luck in your final choice.