The New English Syllabus

Hi everyone, sorry for the big gap in posts. The exam period has kept me really busy.

Lately, I have had parents ask me a lot of questions about how to approach the new English syllabus.

After spending the night pouring over the syllabus (found on the MOE website), I have listed down a couple of techniques that parents can use to guide their kids at home.

1) Identify where your child's weaknesses are. These include daily study habits. Use the holidays to train your child to follow a strict study schedule. Do not forget to give lots of time for the child to do things he/ she enjoys and for him/her to join in in family activities.

2) Identify grammar and vocabulary weaknesses. It would take a trained and experienced teacher to be able to pick these inadequacies. You can then train the child in the skills lacking through grammar and vocabulary worksheets.

3) Get your child reading and ask him/her to tell you about the story he/she is reading. This helps build up crucial oral skills. The new syllabus outlines the importance of these skills.

4) If you are able, get your child to go for Creative Writing and/or Speech and Drama classes. When you pick a tuition centre or teacher, make sure the curriculum emphasizes on building creativity. This is important, especially because it is being emphasized in both the composition and oral components.

I am having a Q and A session for all parents at the centre I teach at. Please come down and I will answer any questions you might have regarding your child's English. Please bring your child's most recent exam paper so I can look through and give directed feedback. My next blog post will detail venue, timings and dates. Will also be conducting vocabulary and grammar skills assessments for prospective students so watch out for this as well.

Below is a Vocabulary Building exercise designed to expand the students vocabulary. I would say this was a Primary 5 standard worksheet. Do not worry if your child finds it difficult... its supposed to be challenging.