Tuition...

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.