Showing posts with label college in singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college in singapore. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Beyond the writing in Singapore

Comment "good writing is more than getting the 'A' (9 June 2011) by Mr. Chew Hui Min made the sharp observation that the memorization and regurgitation of the heart - especially the language of instruction - you useful useful short-term trials but could have potential ramifications. lasting episodes of "cram" the interest of students studying in the tooth in the long run, irritate and creativity due to the repeated need to follow a fixed model of response and expression.
In the general context of language teaching in Singapore, it seems a disproportionate importance is placed on writing and thus reading, listening and speaking are overlooked.
Exposing students to the stock phrases for compositions, however, is not necessarily the use of non-constructive and active role of familiarity with the phrase can build vocabulary, increase the level of expression, and increase Understand literary terms by creating metaphors and word games . Line eyes turned when the student grows to be solely dependent on them, do not have the ability to use them with wisdom and skill, not knowledge in content or writing related measures in its examination. The expression language itself - even if superficially, built by the common phrase - has a bit, if the user is not the process of thinking about knowledge of crane.
In the general context of language teaching in Singapore, it seems a disproportionate importance is placed on writing and thus reading, listening and speaking are overlooked. Of course, students can easily feel disabled in presentations, or even pieces of research vis-à-vis the interaction of the conversation simply because they have the ability to apply what they learned.
Emphasis on writing looks very impressive based on the fact that the leading candidate for the standardized exams test your linguistic skills, especially through writing. Unfortunately, the ability of listening, reading skills and oratorios that are important to the general understanding and practical application of language. Through various channels, and only involving multiple forms of interaction and focus, the teaching-learning to be more attractive and productive for students and educators. So, instead of the convenience of the status quo, teaching in educational institutions should be adapted creatively to reflect the above aspects.
Perhaps, if the other students and parents become more aware of the real value of language learning is the way of learning and not the end result itself, they have fewer problems and often continue to produce notes based on examinations. More important, parents and teachers focus on the success of students who do most of their language

Sunday, 4 December 2011

How singapore education in future would look like?

Last Tuesday, along with four other persons and writer, I was invited to tea with the Ministry of Education (MOE) Senior State Secretary Miss Ann Sim be updated in the forthcoming plans of the Ministry, the same time, we had a useful dialogue with the shortcomings of the education landscape in Singapore. Besides the traditional discussions about the extreme levels of stress in the schools and the need to continue to empower parents and teachers and others, the discourse is based on two main objectives: firstly to improve preschool and special education, second, how the growth of students - in secondary education and higher level - will be made more general.

Thinking about teaching Pre-School and Special


Given the importance of early education and preparation for the parents in particular, the participants who bases on the acute need for Singaporeans to be more aware of the choices and resources available for development of their children. As a result of the changing curriculum and teaching in education and the increasing demands of the curricula and examinations in primary education, with a healthy lead may be useful for the development of students.


In combination with the perception that parents are more skilled expatriates in diversified maneuvers, feelings of dissatisfaction begins at the surface, there are calls to Singaporeans clearly defined advantage to Main A data registration process. This form of information asymmetry can not be allowed to manifest itself, gradually, the session must be configured to guide families through the various methods. Parents, at an earlier date, more effective and intensive coordinated.
Miss Sim Ann also shared about the efforts being introduced not only help in the education and rehabilitation of students with special needs, but also to the level of sensitivity and awareness among the people of Singapore to increase.
Miss Ann Sim also divided on the existing and future efforts - not only introduced to assist in education and rehabilitation of students with special needs, but also to the level of sensitivity and awareness of the increasing population of Singapore. Seem important for students in general to become more aware of the challenges their colleagues, and the development of the much-desired level of understanding and comprehension.


The value Tailor


The biggest argument that can be leveled against our current system of education is this: that the philosopher concentration in academics and performance evaluation, which itself is assumed that the old method of rote and regurgitation were not taken into account the total duration and requires students. GT, writer on thinking Fish tank (http://thethinkingfishtank.wordpress.com/), found in his relief stint teaching at a school district. He followed the Humanities education focuses on the content per se to increase skills, and complained about the poor dependence on Information Communication Technology (ICT), and how the project work will be rejected rather than adopted as a creative way to engagement .

Education and service can not expect the syllabi, pedagogical and teaching-learning techniques to a one-size-mail at all. Academic performance is not the only determining factor for the success of a student within the system.


Perhaps this is part of a cultural phenomenon that focused academic priority over all other school, even if settings are available for the pursuit of sport, art, people are reluctant to take leaps of faith in the study. Mr Soh Yi Da, a political science student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), has highlighted the possibility of extending the concept of school and vocational guidance (ECG) to parents and students to offer Learning more options than any bookish air, if this proposal is taken seriously, this is the beginning of something new.
Academic performance is not the only determining factor for the success of a student within the system.


Other items


A number of other discussions are: the possible need to revise and expand the involvement of the Community (CIP) and Service-Learning (SL) projects, the pros and cons of the Integrated Programme (IP), improving the education of bilingualism and language in Singapore, but also the problems of Singapore university (how to strike a balance between the standards of research and education, are not necessarily good researchers make good teachers or counselors).


***
A look ahead (guanyinmiao of reflections)


For the rest of the week will be two separate posts to look at two important issues raised by the Minister of Education Mr Heng Swee Keat during his speech at the annual workplan seminar Moe: If the new Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) program will suffice for the amount of education (also, what policies should be established and how it should be easier), and the need for students to more intensive.


An Education Roundtable segment also launched in the coming weeks. More details are given to individual pages for the effort and also seen a Facebook page set up in the near future. Let it stay tuned!

Thursday, 4 August 2011

Unbelievable tuition fee in Singapore, which we may have to live to.

I must say that Howard has my article on its side for a while. He called on me emotionally. Nothing like a picture of some children to participate in teaching hours and hours immediately after school, it can also be thoroughly entertained ... iPhone or iPad (I doubt very young today enjoy their time in playgrounds). But the second time I read his article, I silenced part of my brain still pray the best for the child, so you must forgive me, you sound a little too pragmatic sometimes.
It really is the overuse of private education in Singapore?
General assertion that Howard screening points, including "massive overuse of a good thing." First, private tutoring is a service. Well, I'm kidding, I do not want to open up debate. I will try to de-establish his statement. Are there really over? We know that Overfishing results in costs, in this case. Significantly lower than the benefits achieved
It teaches that yield real benefits?
How do we know whether the benefits are actually a strong argument for parents who send their children to horde? The research was carried out (yes, your homework is still important, even if you are not in school). Howard did not believe references. He is a skeptic. I was skeptic too. I keep a healthy amount of doubt about the results of the first research consultant agency based in Britain. Of 150 families found, jump in the degree of maturity and level of 2 degrees on average in the lower layers of class D in D. Moreover, those who teach in the 3 to 6 months jumped an average of 1.5 degrees over skinny <a class for those by private tutors for less than 3 months. It seems likely, until he told me that 95% of the families also recommended that the first teacher.
I mulled the studies [1], which performs Nus Department of Economics, and showed that 10% more hours of instruction in subjects such as math, English and Korean students are given study in South Korea with awe-inspiring 0.03 0 , 3% increase in percentile ranks. Let's say that 74% of students there and they just may interrupt their stress. After all, pay on average $ 2,600 per year to attend hagwons. Finland, the only European country that regularly perform as well as Koreans, spend less on public and private education. Only 13% of students have after school to remedy. Considered by Time magazine in which Koreans just does not seem smart - he sleeps during the student teaching is a common sight.
Statistical and Economic Analysis
Considered by Time magazine in which Koreans just does not seem smart - he sleeps during the student teaching is a common sight.
South Koreans are just jjang / daebak (better) comes under the Guidelines. Former Minister of Education Dr. Eng Hen Singapore by placing his confirmation, saying very significantly "Sorry, not as bad as the Koreans." Dr Ng also believe that the return to education decreases. I look at the basic statistics, and I can only agree. If spending on education should be seen as a positive investment and income from education as a whole (either from school or private lessons), and zero sum, so yes, Dr. Ng is correct. The government has doubled spending on public school student, anywhere from 1.5 to 2 times at other levels of education.
We follow this logic: spending and investment in education increases, returning from school tuition to go up, and zero-sum returns to education down.
No, Howard, no, it's not the end. As you do, whether public or private school teachers are particularly effective in transmitting the appropriate study skills for children to fend for themselves. We do not recognize the ability to study. It is quite difficult to understand. I can absorb a textbook, because I just pure genius, and Howard could do the same thing, knowing that the visual learning style, and he chose a book full of info-graphics. Prove me wrong, find a way to measure it, I was glad. After all, if I have children of their own one day I would like to know whether studying smart.
Absolute Reliance through teaching, not the way forward either
And with this knowledge, I want to know if you did not study hard, smart, or affected by other problems. Howard points out that parents should not be considered a panacea for education when their child does not expect. The debate between the confirmed (no doubt) a striking impact learning, I must say I agree. Sometimes victims of bullying, or bad company, resulting in a lack of academic performance. Favorite quote my friend "to get the donkey to the lake, but you can not make it drink" seems quite appropriate in this situation.
It is also the parents, if your child needs help with his studies or extracurricular problems in nature. In a separate sign, I do not want to sit with the child as his studies for an hour or more everyday things. You'll just be distracting him talk to him about his time at school, and setting the bit to sit for him. Engage your children at mealtimes. Call your teacher for a brief chat (and remain calm under all circumstances).
It is for parents to know if your child needs help in studying or extracurricular problems in nature.
It's hard being a parent, I know. My mother was impressed, as I understand basic English.
There are additional costs for excessive training. And I do not think that a simple monetary costs. While many letters did at first expressed concern about this issue, we are certainly not at the same level again in South Korea. With the new rules, and even patrols to ensure that the student center open around 10 at night. Two studies, one of Korea's teaching staff of schools Workers Union, one of the Youth Counselling Korea Institute found that 43% to 48% of students with regard to suicide. We go up to this level? I hope not. But let us consider the variant where children do not have the training and stress over how well they are adequately prepared for the upcoming test.
Any offer creates its own demand
I thought I would finish my point by asking questions that are not yet finalized. Is there really will appreciate for teaching? There should be some, because it is always in high demand right? Howard believes that is the case of market failure. I prefer to see it as expensive as UNESCO [2] is smooth, put it into words:
"The first reason is that in some areas, supply creates demand. Under these circumstances, management, because the manufacturer to be available and we encourage students to take advantage of the availability and / or because consumers know that the product is available and then decides to take advantage of them, though they do not want to be required if these services are not available. "
There is certainly incomplete information, no standardized system of accreditation or industry standards to meet. After Tute took my brother in medium 3 mathematics, and help him finally expelled from the end of tests, I would say that qualification is not a good way to evaluate teachers as well. All that glitters is definitely not gold, and the same note, I can be a bar of gold in the mud. Education should not be given to their children academic improvement by leaps and bounds, too, but the traffic itself may provide the assurance that both parents and child needs. That in itself is an advantage.
Self-improvement can not be a problem
To be honest, the amount to be learned at all levels of education is still growing, and training can help you get ahead of others.
We will not be too quick to ascribe value to it. After all, learning that Howard mentions that teaches students how to study independently, which needs time to understand the force and only by the specific academic scores. Education is really long-term investment. Certainly not the fact that in some centers, all of spoon feeding knowledge, which is carried out. You can create the knowledge prison mushrooms once, and most of it is lost. But it may be a short term solution for late bloomers, such as our education system is not entirely encouraging direction.
Does it take? To be honest, the amount to be learned at all levels of education is still growing, and training can help you get ahead of others. After all, it should be complementary in nature. In this case, the benefit outweighs the monetary cost. Overuse ceases to exist. While my argument seems pretty basic, I think I should do as opposed to the view of Howard.
Maybe we have it all wrong about the true value of education. Possibly. The hardest at the end of the day is like this: get the right coach.
The author, Lee, Jie Yang (Mr.), is a friend of both Kwan Jin Yao (MR) and Howard Chiu (MR). He used to write a blog, a student siding, back when he was a little more fun.

Saturday, 4 June 2011

Sports in Singapore College

An active lifestyle starts from young natural, schools shoulder the responsibility in terms of prompt pique students' interest in sport and physical activity, and to make sustainable commitments. The opinion piece - "Take Sport for Young People" (July 30, 2011) by Andy Tay - makes a good observation that the status quo is structurally rigid and pedantic in its implementation As aspirations for. Singapore sports scene is rapidly taking shape, the relevant stakeholders should be - in school - Evaluate the existing physical education (PE), and introduce pedagogical improvements to increase the variety, flexibility and levels of satisfaction.
Equally important is the need to expose students to a wider variety of sports throughout the year.


More often than not, the various ministries of the school PE is more than happy to join or relatively well-established programs and programs prescribed in the behavior of their lessons. The binding constant of the key performance indicators (KPI) - as classified by the statistics of the National Stock Exchange of fitness (NAPFA) and Trim and Fit (TAF) assessments, also lead educators to focus disproportionately on robust monotonic operating conditions. Equally important is the need to expose students to a wider variety of sports throughout the year - including contact sports, racquet sports, power circuits, etc. - so they can personally identify their interests, and moderate to continue in the long run it alone.
It is impossible for a single Sporting events to please every participating student, but it should not be used as a convenient excuse for the administrator to open the physical education classes between what some sports. At the beginning of each year, the class may be subject to a "foundation phase" to establish the basic cardiovascular fitness and thereafter, the module will be offered to allow students to experience a little of everything , or to focus on a particular sport that they enjoy. These provisions may raise claims for labor and resources, but the economies of size can be reaped if the institution within a common cluster can meet to coordinate their sessions.


Although schools and families - at present - does not recognize the feasibility of their students and children pursuing a career in sport, the sport should not be viewed as only a myopic channel for the promotion of a healthy life for himself. If managed intelligently by educators, sports can be the source for recreation and pleasure, and for delivering life lessons attached, teamwork, resilience and awareness.

It is time for PE and sport for positions that are most important in the grand scheme of education, because if they are taken more seriously, the benefit of the general will be particularly useful and significant in the future.

Sunday, 1 May 2011

Holiday? What holiday?

News "Holidays What holiday?" (29 May 2011), Miss Amanda and Miss Cheryl Tan Ong: A report on the spread of education and teaching, the increased presence in your school feel the same situation, different players. Psychological stress increased complaints by students school supplies, when the instructor emphasized the holistic development of leisure activities, to increase participation, community service, and so on. But parents, like others, recognizes the need to get a better education for their children.

Teaching logically be interpreted to set a good foundation for these efforts and to achieve high-quality standardized testing to ensure college scholarships and places.
Thus teaching logically be interpreted to set a good foundation for these efforts and to achieve high-quality standardized testing to ensure college scholarships and places. Basically, go to tuition fees is not necessarily bad. Different learning styles, and it is a student-teacher ratio is not balanced class that may be appropriate to facilitate the teaching-learning methods, of course, a small group teaching sessions that appeal to them. A certain substance, or strengthen the concept of technical education research, especially if the student could not hold a number of items and content, or if you forgot your classes because of sporting events or school groups.
But parents who pay tuition for their children to learn to recognize the needs and expectations of children by defining the "right", after some basic research center. Education is a non-zero sum game which forces students to go through hour after hour of intense rehabilitation, does not yield tangible results, when the former lost his interest in the preservation and not focus on. If a student does not work in a large class, which returns the class 30 and more children are no different. Parents need to be realistic expectations are teaching is not surprising that the pills pediatric patient and refuse to try to work hard.

The second observation is considering teaching of meritocracy and that its presence undermines the concept of generally accepted, as students in low-income households struggling to budget money for an expensive training sessions. Showing the importance of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to work closely with schools to improve or add classes to students who need support and if approved, would be wrong not to inconvenience the lack of school fees.

As science in Singapore, it is sufficient to say, tuition fees are an integral part of the system so that it does not change what the question is, how we approach and handle from the end of the 

Monday, 4 April 2011

Bilingualism In Singapore

By the way, most people complain that the current standards in language teaching less than impressive, and much more can be done not only to generate interest among students, but also, fundamentally, think about the way languages ​​are taught by teachers in schools. More often than not, and strategies implemented by the media focuses disproportionately on the previous deficit - that is, application methods Premiere on the fact that students are terribly banal - with the new-fangled of technological solutions and innovative teaching process learning. Unfortunately, these efforts will simply fall into the water or the Ministry of Education (MOE) and its stakeholders can not recognize the problems inherent in language teaching.
The base of the tongue - especially the mother - is not well structured and therefore more emphasis on strengthening early childhood education.
In my view, the challenges and proposals relevant three. The first is the base of the tongue - especially for the natives - is not real structured and therefore more emphasis on strengthening early childhood education. Second, standardized tests and examinations for languages ​​that are mainly favors write and understand the possibilities, and thus wider diversification is desirable to incorporate the essential reading, listening and speaking. Third, students are bored to tears by the monotony of inspiration and study used the program to fill, so Moe and schools need more responsive, flexible and less rigid in their choice of books and topics for study and class discussion.
Practice makes perfect, so it is no coincidence that students who have had the privilege of the asset is exposed to two languages ​​at home often excel in school and possibly functionally bilingual. The simplest way in which these measures of learning can spread would be to revise and improve processes in various nurseries and kindergartens. This may be related to the formal establishment of a free-for-all online archives portal where the resources - such as spreadsheets, activity guides and planners, can be downloaded for reference and use by parents. Opportunities abound: from strategic partnerships with the National Library Board (NLB) can provide custom playlists for different age groups, and to provide additional read-a-long sessions for households in the neighborhood .
Emphasis on writing based on techniques should also reduce the long term. Especially for languages ​​like Chinese, beginning with the spelling pedant use it is to recall the writing exercises or a recipe for disaster languages. Although the national final exams are based on written documents, teachers are proactive in setting the playback features and value-added speech classes.
Traditionally, language teaching, many have used - sometimes only - manuals good in itself. The importance of increasing interest and skills in reading comprehension and analysis should not be underestimated, as a student at a more gradual, begins the advantages of easy communication appreciate, they will naturally be of accelerate their commitment to increase with the language. Reading resources will also be relevant and inspiring to get them to read independently and learn more. Instead of just having newspaper clippings or stories of moral responsibility to take the current discussions or commentary, satire and musical texts, even the experience of reading a real healthy, colorful and meaningful to do.

Friday, 4 February 2011

An experience in Vietnam College

It has been three years since it opened its doors in America for my family, and he never ceased to fascinate me. I came opportunities. I have been inundated with them. I came here for a better education.
I am a senior at Carnegie Vanguard High School in Houston Independent School District. I moved from Chavez High School, also in HISD. Before, I was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest trading center, finishing my first year in high school. In Vietnam, students attended high school in ninth grade. Tenth year, 11 and 12 are considered part of the school.
The difference between the Vietnamese education system of the United States in various ways. Based on my experience in Ho Chi Minh City:
• Children usually start school at age 6 Only four - or five years to learn the alphabet and sometimes even basic math.
• Schools generally start at 7 am before classes on Monday, there is usually a half hour to "bless the flag" during which they sing the national anthem and hear students talk about school officer in the court. Then the elementary and middle school at the end around noon, but some may decide to extend the hours. High school students are allowed lunch breaks, but sometimes students are expected to return to school for classes to 17 : 30
• After the class, have a lot to cram classes in English, mathematics and literature. Corruption is happening here, often, when teachers of these classes will students know in advance the content of their experiences. Others choose to go to the centers of English evening.
• The uniform white shirt and trousers of the Navy. Through grade nine are supposed to wear red scarves. In high school they are supposed to "Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union" communist organization named after the former head of the nation, and may wear badges instead.
• a fee, paid monthly, it loads a lot of low income families. There is also a textbook fees impede access to education. Books in print are often poor and can not be used again and so, after a year or two. Curriculum changes every few years. The scholarships are rare.
• expect a heavy burden to take a required course. Students must take these classes, from high school: Vietnamese literature, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry (from grade 8), history, geography, civics, foreign languages (English is the most common, but French and Chinese are available some vocational schools), information technology, physical education, music and art (not to separate the two classes in secondary schools).
• Students sit in a classroom, a teacher to reach every season. Each class can have up to 50 students.
• In high school, students have the opportunity to choose between the level of education, specializing in social sciences of education (with a different geography textbooks for history and literature), which specializes in science and education (with different textbooks for mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology).
Student activities are run • The Limited. Popular extracurricular activities include martial arts, swimming and Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union work-related. Parents often discourage children from these activities because they want students to focus on academics.
• memorizing by heart, and passive participation of plagiarism are commonplace, and sometimes encouraged in the classroom.
• In the professional classes, usually for electrical engineering students base male and female study kitchen.
• Front and middle school systems no longer require a final exam, while the school remains high. However, students are required to pass entrance exams to enter middle school and high school. The higher the score, the most prestigious schools. Some highly selective schools, there is another entrance exam for these schools is available. Furthermore, if students can not score high enough to enter public universities, those who are able, parents have to pay for them to attend private schools. Most of them offer a curriculum in the West. This often translates into more relax and do less study because the stigma is called the private system.
• For high school, students must pass the test object, which were chosen at random at the end of the year.
• To enter university, students must also pass an entrance examination, including three subjects.
Since the system is overloaded and degrees from universities that are not recognized elsewhere in Vietnam, many students choose to study