I just got my examination timetable. It will be in mid-May, on a weekday. I wonder if I can take leave for this, or will it be considered as unpaid leave since I have yet to pass the six-month probation? Goodness, has it not even been six months yet? Feels like I have been working there for such a long time already.
Furthermore, I just realised that my second assignment involving a 600-word essay on the Roman Coliseum is due next week (and not two weeks later as scheduled), and I have yet to get back my first assignment! Looks like I have to make an appointment to see my tutor very soon.
Some time ago, there was an article in the Sunday Lifestyle section of the Sunday Times where this journalist was saying that her sister who migrated to the United States decided to home-school her children.
The other day, one of my friends also told me that one of her relatives is also home-schooling the three sons. I was quite surprised as I thought there is no such thing as home-schooling here.
All I know was that before the year 2000 or so, education was not mandatory so there were some kids who were not sent to school, but ever since then, parents would be charged if they did not send their kids to school, thus all kids have to go to school to be educated from then on.
According to my friend, people here can still choose to home-school their children provided they register for our local tests and examinations. The relative chose to home-school her children as she wanted her children to be totally focused which the school environment may not be able to provide as teachers have to take care of so many kids.
And the three boys are very well-behaved, polite and independent. Besides, their results are not necessary poorer than those kids who go to school; if anything, their results are on par with those kids from the top classes of top schools. My friend said she is very impressed with the boys as their behaviours and attitudes seem better than those kids who go to school.
The journalist wrote in her article that she was skeptical when her sister chose to home-school her children. She was worried for her niece and nephew as she thinks that home-schooling will not grant them the opportunity to mix with other kids.
But after seeing how well-behaved her niece and nephew are and how knowledgeable they are because they have undivided attention to their learning, she began to see that home-schooling may be a good idea after all, especially in the US context where some schools may get too dangerous for students with the type of violence around.
Home-schooling is still a new concept here. Ask any parent and they will still think going to school is the best. Students get to mix with other kids from all walks of life, so they can learn about the different cultures. But the downside is that if the kids mix with kids with poor attitudes, chances are they may be influenced to be the same.
But the home-schooling concept has already been around for quite some time in England and America, and probably a lot of other countries as well, ever since old English families engage governesses to teach their children at home.
There have been reports saying that some geniuses who entered university at the age of fourteen are home-schooled. Some of the top scorers of National examinations of the country are home-schooled. And they do not lose out in terms of social skills as well.
There will always be pros and cons for everything. By sending the kids to school, the kids may be in a conducive environment for learning as there are a lot of activities and enrichment classes which the schools can provide. Kids also get to interact with others and learn how to share, care and respect each other.
But because there are fourty kids in a classroom, the teacher normally spends time on weaker pupils thus sometimes neglects those who are able to handle their work. The kid may then lose out on undivided attention, and need tuition and remedial to catch up on the work.
On the other hand, by home-schooling a kid, the kid can also learn as much, if not more, than what the schools provide, because the kid will have individualized attention, so can cut down on tuition sessions.
Parents too can provide extra enrichment activities to stretch the kid’s learning. And interacting with others, caring, sharing and respecting each other can be learnt elsewhere, not just in school, and can be taught by the parents as well.
Come to think of it, perhaps home-schooling is not that bad an idea. But then, no matter whether the kid goes to school or not, his / her behaviour and attitude stems from home. If he / she comes from a good and caring family where the parents take the time to inculcate good values and behaviour, then it does not make a difference where the kid goes to school.
Furthermore, I just realised that my second assignment involving a 600-word essay on the Roman Coliseum is due next week (and not two weeks later as scheduled), and I have yet to get back my first assignment! Looks like I have to make an appointment to see my tutor very soon.
Some time ago, there was an article in the Sunday Lifestyle section of the Sunday Times where this journalist was saying that her sister who migrated to the United States decided to home-school her children.
The other day, one of my friends also told me that one of her relatives is also home-schooling the three sons. I was quite surprised as I thought there is no such thing as home-schooling here.
All I know was that before the year 2000 or so, education was not mandatory so there were some kids who were not sent to school, but ever since then, parents would be charged if they did not send their kids to school, thus all kids have to go to school to be educated from then on.
According to my friend, people here can still choose to home-school their children provided they register for our local tests and examinations. The relative chose to home-school her children as she wanted her children to be totally focused which the school environment may not be able to provide as teachers have to take care of so many kids.
And the three boys are very well-behaved, polite and independent. Besides, their results are not necessary poorer than those kids who go to school; if anything, their results are on par with those kids from the top classes of top schools. My friend said she is very impressed with the boys as their behaviours and attitudes seem better than those kids who go to school.
The journalist wrote in her article that she was skeptical when her sister chose to home-school her children. She was worried for her niece and nephew as she thinks that home-schooling will not grant them the opportunity to mix with other kids.
But after seeing how well-behaved her niece and nephew are and how knowledgeable they are because they have undivided attention to their learning, she began to see that home-schooling may be a good idea after all, especially in the US context where some schools may get too dangerous for students with the type of violence around.
Home-schooling is still a new concept here. Ask any parent and they will still think going to school is the best. Students get to mix with other kids from all walks of life, so they can learn about the different cultures. But the downside is that if the kids mix with kids with poor attitudes, chances are they may be influenced to be the same.
But the home-schooling concept has already been around for quite some time in England and America, and probably a lot of other countries as well, ever since old English families engage governesses to teach their children at home.
There have been reports saying that some geniuses who entered university at the age of fourteen are home-schooled. Some of the top scorers of National examinations of the country are home-schooled. And they do not lose out in terms of social skills as well.
There will always be pros and cons for everything. By sending the kids to school, the kids may be in a conducive environment for learning as there are a lot of activities and enrichment classes which the schools can provide. Kids also get to interact with others and learn how to share, care and respect each other.
But because there are fourty kids in a classroom, the teacher normally spends time on weaker pupils thus sometimes neglects those who are able to handle their work. The kid may then lose out on undivided attention, and need tuition and remedial to catch up on the work.
On the other hand, by home-schooling a kid, the kid can also learn as much, if not more, than what the schools provide, because the kid will have individualized attention, so can cut down on tuition sessions.
Parents too can provide extra enrichment activities to stretch the kid’s learning. And interacting with others, caring, sharing and respecting each other can be learnt elsewhere, not just in school, and can be taught by the parents as well.
Come to think of it, perhaps home-schooling is not that bad an idea. But then, no matter whether the kid goes to school or not, his / her behaviour and attitude stems from home. If he / she comes from a good and caring family where the parents take the time to inculcate good values and behaviour, then it does not make a difference where the kid goes to school.
7 comments:
"They do not lose out in socials skills"
There is no proof of this. Like all skills, social ones has to be practiced (and mine is rusty). Being home schooled offers a child limited practice.
Likewise, geniuses are born. You can homeschool an average child all you want, and he still won't beat a genius that goes through normal schooling. Assuming both are in supportive families. Sad but true.
As for "getting mixed up with bad characters", if the child is susceptible to such influence, and not taught properly on how to shield themselves (and gain some practice on how to go about it), they will remain susceptible as adults.
Having been normally schooled (and not even having an exceptionally fantastic school experience), I personally would detest being home-schooled.
my wife is more knowledgable in this area as she did research on it before.
Home schooling has its own support group.. so they do meet up with others home-schoolers. At least in US. I don't know about in Singapore.
Gus, then Mrs. Gus should grace this article with her opinion as well. Don't you think so? ;)
I think, given the situation in UK where the kids are extremely naughty and teachers cannot hit or touch the kids as they will be sued, no wonder parents in England choose home-schooled rather than normal school.
I think the concept is quite good, like accordiing to Gus, the home-schooled children will be brought out to meet other home-schooled children, and hence, their social skills are improved as well
Hi Anon_X:
you can ask her yourself.. her blog link is on SH's right hand link (Grace's blog) :-) Tho the blog is mainly for transmitting photo the grandpa/grandma that doesn't get to see our kid often :-)
Ole Wolvies : Actually I would hate being home-schooled too, especially by my parents.
Gus : Yup, I know that home-schooling is actually quite popular in US and UK that there is even a structure and a system for parents opting to home-school their kids.
Sen : Concept is good, so I do hope that Singapore can adopt this as well. And not just England, even in Singapore, kids are also extremely naughty and teachers are also not allowed to hit or touch the kids, otherwise can get fired.
As an ex teacher, I do not like the solution of taking the "good" kids out of class. Although it might be beneficial to them (no bullying) What will be left behind in the schools then? Might as well turn them all to boot camps.
When there is less positive influence in a group, you can bet that it could get worse.
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