In this part of the world, private tuition are very
popular. Just like many other parents, when kids need help in certain
subjects, the remedy will be "Tuition Classes".
Let me share my son's experience. We did
not pay much attention to the academic when he was in kindergarten. We
used "Hooked On Phonics", and we thought that he
should have a head start. Compared to me, he can read and spell so many words.
However, it turned out that I was completely wrong. So, we sent him to
tuition class.
Did that solve the problem? No.
Let me share my experience and my views.
My son went to Just Education. At the beginning, the experience was good.
The teacher in charge was young, but really passionate and good in delivering
her job. I really salute "Just Education" as their teaching materials
are well prepared. However, the experience turned bad after the teacher in
class quit. The new teacher, and the other new teacher clearly did not meet our
expectation. So, we switch him to another center, "Jac Learning Center".
The teacher in charge was much more experienced. However, the teaching
material is something available from bookstore, not custom made and not well
prepared compared to Just Education. But did that solve the problem? No.
After speaking to my son, I know what went
wrong. The problem is that he lacks interest in language subjects, as he loves
Science and Math more. So, the tuition fee we paid ends up only with 2
additional hours that he will sit in class to do something about English. But I
can see that he just simply do the exercise, without really attempting the
questions. He went there because he was supposed to be there for 2 hours, not
because he wants to learn.
His results improved only after I spent time
coaching him myself, guiding him patiently to do his comprehension etc. But
honestly speaking, as I am not a teacher, I failed to draw his interest. My
command of English and Chinese is not adequate.
My younger daughter had similar problems. The
English teaching in the kindergarten (that my daughter attended) is practically
hopeless and not adequate to prepare her for primary 1. We tried "L-Central".
The teachers are mostly native speakers. However, I quit after one full course
because I find the contents too difficult and not suitable for my daughter.
Certainly I understand how my daughter feels dealing with the task to read
passages that she does not understand. I regret not forking out more money to
send my daughter to British Council at that time. Their
focus is a lot more on interest. They do not stretch students very much and
that's the reason they are less popular for primary school students.
So, at the end of the day, who is the best
tuition teacher for my kids? I guess the answer is very clear, ME! I may
be unqualified or may not have adequate knowledge, but I will do my best.
I believe the same will be applicable to most of you too.
P/S: Please do not join or don't join any of the
tuition centers quoted above based on this post. Each tuition center has their
strength and weaknesses. They may be suitable/unsuitable for me but may be
unsuitable/suitable for you.
