However... In teaching composition, hubby and I met our dead-end. After spending time with our daughter doing a couple of English composition practice papers (more than three BOOKS) we admitted that we need a professional help. White flag.
Searching around, we found Mind Stretcher Writer's Toolbox program. So now, these are the pro and cons:
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1. Basically, every week a student need to compose, teacher will check, student depart with homework of copying her/his work with correction. This method, painful but effective, the idea, vocabulary, structure, and the corrections are committed into memory. Progress is visible.
2. They also learn idioms, simile, poems, riddles, tongue twister, ... A good variety. Our daughter loves the jokes part.
3. Reasonable fee, for that quality.
4. They told me that class will still goes on even though with one student. That's a commitment I like!
5. Organized parent teacher meeting, so we get to discuss kiddo progress... Or lack of..
6. This is not related to Mind Stretcher but I think is important. To be able to express one's idea, written and verbal, is critical, no matter what profession you are in. Or, no matter what subject you are doing in school.
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I believe, nothing is perfect. Thing I hope to be changed is their system to notify no-lesson day. Parents are supposed to rely on letter or SMS. It's not exactly fail proof. I'd prefer a lesson calendar.
As with other post, I receive no compensation for my opinion. Still paying the course fee in full, GST and all...
14 August '16 update:
Regretfully, this year, I observed a decline in the teachers retention and quality. This is a real issue for any enrichment center. Material is still good. But of course, delivery is equally important.
I too decided to raise a white flag. How do you find the lesson. Does your gal benefit from the course?
ReplyDeleteHi, sorry for late reply. Yes, she truly reaps the benefit. Not only me, but teachers at school and her friend's parents also noted the difference. But prepare your child to write a lot. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteIt must be one year since your gal joined 'Mind Stretcher Writer's Toolbox program'. How do you and your gal find the course now ?
Have you seen improvement in your child?
TIA
Hello,
ReplyDeleteSince I totally can't teach writing (creative idea, sequencing, sentence structure), yes, we do still find it good. My daughter has no problem in composition.
But the teacher has changed, and we find the new teacher is not as strict as the previous one. Inevitable in dealing with education center.
The following is not a complain. Just an observation that I hope can be useful for other parents. I found once that my daughter used a certain story template a few times in a row. Sort of she knew it is good, and she's banking on it to score in school. I stopped her, and encouraged her to try other ideas. By this she'll be a better writer, I think.
A few mommy friends also noted this phenomenon on creative writing class kids from various centers.
Hope it helps :)
Hi, May I know which branch does your girl attends?
ReplyDeleteHi, she is in Ang Mo Kio Hub branch.
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