KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi, I'm looking for 1-1 or small group English tuition for next year, Sec 2. I'm from RGS, and really I can't find many English tuition centers around that cater to the level of English done in school, not even many IP tuition centers (this is based on friend-recommendation). Year end I scored a 2.8 for English out of a max of 4.0, which is by far my worst GPA.

For tuition I'd like to focus on writing and writing and writing, because that's an important skill I don't think I've mastered well. I don't think the school gives sufficient practice, and I can't evaluate my own work properly either. It's not to say that other areas in English give me no problem, but writing is the most foundational and important of skills in the curriculum as far as I can see that I have not mastered reasonably. Hence due to this focus I'd like tuition sessions to have, many centers such as British Council, based on web descriptions, are out.

Other limitations include time and area - I live in Jurong West and it would be a stretch to travel across half the island on a weekly basis for the tuition. So centers like Learning Lab and British Council aren't feasible. Also due to the long hours at school I'd say that weekend tuition would be best. Budget may also be a limitation, since my parents don't have pockets of infinite size, but average or slightly above average prices should be fine.

I'm already pretty decided on tuition, as even if I'm able to combat my projects and exams somehow, writing is an important skill and left in my own hands hasn't developed that well as can be seen from my current situation. So I guess for the sake of scores and skill development I'm seeking professional help. But any tips that you may have concerning the improvement of English would be more than welcome.

Thanks.

(I hope I've posted at the appropriate section - the tuition and student care part doesn't allocate space for people who seek tuition to post.)

Hi. Have you considered peer coaching? I know there are many RGS girls who write very well. How about getting them to critique your writing and to give you tips? What some of the girls do is they post their essays up on their blogs or facebook and invite open critiques.

jtoh wrote:Hi. Have you considered peer coaching? I know there are many RGS girls who write very well. How about getting them to critique your writing and to give you tips? What some of the girls do is they post their essays up on their blogs or facebook and invite open critiques.

Hi, and thanks for the fast reply. This year I did get my friends to help me critique the works that are to be submitted for a score, but I found out that most were rather busy with their own work so the comments are rushed, and they may not be the best comments that can be given. I have also tried to ask for writing tips, etc. but friends who write well have a natural flair for writing, so generally their tips do not quite work for me, since writing well doesn't come naturally, if it does at all.

Also, I don't want to unnecessarily burden their schedules which will become even more packed next year. It isn't their obligation or even responsibility to help me in this way, so I don't think I should do this on a regular basis as it's not fair to take up their time, unless I can offer some form of help in return.

Hi. I understand where you're coming from. I hope you're able to find a tutor soon. Good luck.

I know you said TLL is far from your home but it is quite near school. What if they have a class after school? That might work out for you.

jtoh wrote:Hi. I understand where you're coming from. I hope you're able to find a tutor soon. Good luck.

I know you said TLL is far from your home but it is quite near school. What if they have a class after school? That might work out for you.

Thanks for the suggestion about TLL - I haven't thought of that. It'll be quite a stretch on the logistics because it'll be a half an hour journey there and then take more than an hour to get home, but it's an alternative worth considering I guess.

Also, do you know about the focus of TLL lessons? Because I prefer one that is more tailored to my specific needs and large classes may reduce the efficiency of that. Also, quite a few of my friends dropped out of TLL EL this year as they felt that the syllabus wasn't quite the same as the school's one, but I have yet to gather specific information about it - I'll ask them when they're back in SG.

I hope I'm not being far too picky about tutors, wanting one that's 1) good and experienced 2) close proximity to home 3) cater to my specific needs. I haven't got a tutor before so this is all new to me.

And thanks for the well wishes - I really need to pull up my EL grades because it's the one that's pulling down my whole GPA. And I'm quite worried about Literature for next year because I don't really like/understand Romeo and Juliet but this year I managed a high 3.6 despite bad English foundation, no tuition and a Literature teacher whom I didn't really like and who didn't really teach well, so I guess I'll just see how it goes. Or perhaps it would be better to start with Literature tuition too, since later may be too late?

I'm not too sure about what the syllabus is exactly at TLL for secondary school. I think they do a fair bit of current affairs stuff which would be useful for GP later on. I think they did Poems in lower sec? Why don't you give them a call and ask if they do a lot of writing as that's what you're interested in?

I was a little surprised to read that you've chosen to take Lit next year given that you're concerned about English. But you did well in the exams and if you're passionate about the subject it'll see you through a lot. Are you doing Trip Sci + Lit?

jtoh wrote: I was a little surprised to read that you've chosen to take Lit next year given that you're concerned about English. But you did well in the exams and if you're passionate about the subject it'll see you through a lot. Are you doing Trip Sci + Lit?

Err.....she said that she will be sec 2 next yr....so sec 2 still have to take Lit, right ?

Oh I thought she was in sec 2.

jtoh wrote:I'm not too sure about what the syllabus is exactly at TLL for secondary school. I think they do a fair bit of current affairs stuff which would be useful for GP later on. I think they did Poems in lower sec? Why don't you give them a call and ask if they do a lot of writing as that's what you're interested in?

I was a little surprised to read that you've chosen to take Lit next year given that you're concerned about English. But you did well in the exams and if you're passionate about the subject it'll see you through a lot. Are you doing Trip Sci + Lit?

I'm going to ask my friends who attend, because I don't really trust the words of marketing people. But based on the TLL material I've read from their files during the school year, it has certain inclinations towards Literature, which I suppose I'm coping fine with so far. They don't seem to do as much writing as I'd like, and have many other activities such as presentation, etc. so I don't think I'd I really like that. Actually based on what I read of many enrichment centers' curriculum I think my two options would be 1-1 / small-group, or GP tuition since that focuses on writing, but that would be far to high-level.

I'm in Sec 2 next year, and Lit is still compulsory. But most probably in Sec 3 I'll either take Trip Sci + Hist or PCHG (if the latter is a valid subject combination).

Augmum wrote: Err.....she said that she will be sec 2 next yr....so sec 2 still have to take Lit, right ?

Yep, still have to take Lit next year, and I'm kind of worried about Romeo and Juliet.

a child wrote: Yep, still have to take Lit next year, and I'm kind of worried about Romeo and Juliet.

so romeo n juliet is for yr 2 ?? no more MOV ?