For Orchard branch, if your lesson falls on PH, there is no make up for it. They will only give you the materials and worksheet 1 week in advance and the teacher will apparently go through the key points at that time. However, duration of the class remains unchanged, which means that they try to teach more things during the class?
I am very kiasu and I have enrolled ds in both Tien Hsia and Berries. While I agree that Berries have better-looking class materials, I am still unsure how effective they are. No doubt TH teaches fewer number of words at my ds' level currently, but he could recognise all the words without any revision on my part. I don't find that in the case of Berries. I wonder if the big class size has anything to do with that.
In terms of make up lessons, if you are the particular type, then Berries at certain locations may not be suitable. Perhaps not all branches are the same. Once, ds was not well and my helper didn't realise that. The centre asked them to go home instead. In the end, they didn't even give him the complete set of materials for that day's lesson. Needless to say, there was also no offer for any make up. When I finally remembered to ask about make up, all classes were full. For TH, I don't even have to ask for it, they automatically ask you when you would like to go for make up. When lessons fall on PH, they will call you to ask if you can come on another day for make up. If you are not free to go for make up, they will get the teacher to spend about 15 min on solo basis to go through the lesson.
Just my 2 cents.
which branch of TH and Berries does yr son goes to?
Cld u tell me the difference betwn TH and Berries' teachings? I was told that TH is more for older kids as their teachings are 'drier' and less fun. Is it true? What level is your son at now?
Cld u pm me? Thanks.
I think 3yo is acceptable. My twins also attended berries when they just turned 3. In fact I find that i should have started them earlier, but as they were year end babies, so when N1 class started, they just turned 2 yo. So I waited until N2, when they just turned 3 yo to start the class.
i3mum,
mine also year end 2006.
half a year makes a lot of difference in terms of maturity of the child. when my boy went for trial in N1, he was not learning, cannot sit still or absorb. at N2, it makes my money more worthwhile.
I think 3yo is acceptable. My twins also attended berries when they just turned 3. In fact I find that i should have started them earlier, but as they were year end babies, so when N1 class started, they just turned 2 yo. So I waited until N2, when they just turned 3 yo to start the class.
i3mum,
mine also year end 2006.
half a year makes a lot of difference in terms of maturity of the child. when my boy went for trial in N1, he was not learning, cannot sit still or absorb. at N2, it makes my money more worthwhile.
Yes I agree.
I would like to share my experience with Berries.
I would like to highlight that it depends on the individual child as well ie whether the child's has the attention span to absorb the lesson and . Some kids can do that relatively well. The only issue my DS had was separation anxiety and only after switching to yet another centre for the 3rd time was when I finally found one that had caring and committed staff who would automatically take over whenever I sent my DS for lessons. Previously, he would insist that I sit in with him. I persisted with Berries because I like their method of teaching and my DS, despite his fussiness about me being in the class with him, enjoyed and benefitted from the lessons very much.
I do not sit in with him anymore. He goes in independently and happily.
Another thing that I looked out for when sending him to Berries at a young age was the timing (not peak timings) and no of kids (up to about 5 to 8 kids) so that he would not be so overwhelmed as at that point he was not attending pre-sch yet.
PS: the only grouse I have is that parking fees are a 'killer'
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:17 pm Post subject: Berries
Hi, my 5 yr old daughter is enrolled at Berries Orchard. She did trial classes at Hua, Tien Hsia & Berries and the conclusion is that Berries is the best, most interesting of the 3 schools. I did not like that Berries closes on public holidays and there is no makeup. However, they listened to parents' complaints and will give makeup for some public holidays and online learning for the rest, and teachers will cover the materials during the lesson before & after the public holiday. I think Berries program is good for children, like my daughter who are very active, cannot sit still for long and need a stimulating program that engages them. Parents are advised to revise the materials covered weekly, to reinforce word recognition and writing at home in order to see improvement. We only speak English at home and my Chinese sucks and hubby doesn't hv time to teach so that's where Berries comes in. Hope for the best coz I hear the primary school Chinese standard is so high now.. it's scary!
Hi,
I would like to know what's the difference in teaching method between TH & Berries too, pls PM me. I am thinkingcof signing up my son for Berries Tampines (NTUC building) branch. Any members with kids at that branch?
My boys attend Berries. n the N1 boy is super 'on' in relation to his class. I guess this is becos the school is very creative when it comes to lesson planning.
Almost every other lesson he comes out of the class with something, aka, Biscuits, Bread, Sweets (depending on the chinese word been taught that day).
Have waitlisted my third boy for N1 nex year -- hopefully he enjoys it as much as no. 2.
As for No. 1 (K2), he has no major complaints so far except that words are very difficult -- but difficult also must learn lah so we grill him at home also lor!
My dd attended TH from K1 to P1 (mid year) and then switched to Berries from P1 till P5. Here is my experience with them.
The difference with Berries and TH at primary level, the former is a enrichment programme whereas the latter more a tuition programme. If your child is weak or average in MT, TH is a better bet as they will teach the chapters ahead of the school syllabus. Your child will be familiar with the characters when it is taught in school, like a revision for them. Berries focus on enrichment and so they will introduce many new words and phrases which may not be covered in the school syllabus. If your child is proficient in MT, he/she will definitely benefit from the expanded vocabularies taught in Berries especially if they are in the upper primary HCL classes where they will have book study review. The normal classes do not have them.
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: Berries (Make up)
Hi All,
My child is also in the Berries (N2) program where so far find that thier teachng is good. I have not experience that my lesson do fall on the public holidays.
Maybe need to try my luck ask for make up where what the point paying full term where we are not entitled to the 12 lessons? I also notice that they send reminder to start collecting fees very early like 1 month in advance.Does any parents expereince this also?
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