The path to academic success depends on several factors: the student, the parents, the school, and in Singapore, the tuition center. English tuition centres receive thousands of students annually because English PSLE results have an impact on the course the child will undertake in secondary school.
Although the English tuition centres have the same goal of improving a child’s academic performance, the results vary from one centre to the next. Some centres are more popular and tend to charge a higher fee, but some may not be the right fit for your child.
Here is what to consider when choosing an English tuition centre in Singapore.
Academic Qualifications of The Tutors
Unlike schools, tuition centres do not have to meet set standards when it comes to the qualifications of the tutors. Often, parents have to trust that English tutors have the right credentials to educate their children.
Unfortunately, tuition is big business in Singapore, and some people are in it for the money. Your child will most likely pass English PSLE if they are in the hands of a tutor with passion and knowledge for the language.
You can tell you are dealing with professionals when you interact with the tutors. You can also check online to see what other parents have to say about the tuition centre and the impact it has had on student performance.
Class Sizes
Unfortunately, you can’t always get an English tutor per child unless you request private classes. Most tuition centres have a school set up with a tutor per class. When enrolling your child, find out about the class sizes.
A small class per tutor is more suitable because your child is likely to get personalised attention.
Customised Learning
Tuitions would not be very popular in Singapore if they mimicked the school setup fully. English tuition centres preparing for the English PSLE tend to customise learning based on student needs. The tutors often use different teaching styles to attract student attention and make learning easier.
Find out how the centre structures learning and if the approach they use will work with your child.
Teaching Resources
As students prepare for the English PSLE, they need exposure to papers and questions they are likely to encounter when they enter the exam room. Find out what resources the tutors use to teach the students. Do they use past examination papers? Do they have sample essays and other relevant reading materials? Do they use recordings to test listening comprehension?
These materials are critical because they expose students to PSLE English and the question structures they are likely to encounter. Reinforcing these concepts will help students have a better understanding of what is expected of them when they enter the exam room.
Parent-Teacher Updates
Once a child is enrolled in an English tuition center, parents should get regular updates from the teachers. Find out how the centre handles these communications. Do parents get a monthly update? Can parents go in at any time to address any concerns?
Tuition is a partnership between parents, tutors, and students, and everyone should be involved every step of the way. The child should see this as a supportive learning environment where they can count on the teachers and parents as they figure out their educational journey.
Whenever possible, parents should involve their children in the tuition centre selection process. Sometimes a child may prefer one centre over another because that is where friends go. However, the child should also be aware of the parent’s priorities and why they would prefer a specific English tuition centre over another.