By Tan Jun Xiang (14S06C)
So you’ve just finished your first round of CTs, and you’re probably looking forward to enjoying whatever modicum of free time you have left before the next big stressful event comes along. But even as the inevitable deluge of post-exam celebrations die down, even as we settle back into the vapid routine of everyday life, many of us will have already turned our attention (and worries) to the alphabets on our results sheets.
Some of us are indeed satisfied with our results, but being characteristically Rafflesian, it is likely that the vast majority of us are not. For those of us with less than ideal results, foremost in our minds will no doubt be how to improve for the promotional exams, and with it – should I take tuition?
Ever felt like making a similar confession?
Tuition has, in recent years, become a mainstay of the Singaporean education system, with households sinking upwards of $820 million a year on this pricey pastime. Through this article, Raffles Press hopes to address some queries, views and common misconceptions about this all too common phenomenon.
Really, how effective is tuition?
Ask any Rafflesian to sum up his JC life in two words and the most likely reply will be “A Levels” (a patent stereotype, but a pretty accurate one all the same). From the moment we take our first steps into an unfamiliar world of lectures and tutorials, we are told that the A Levels are of paramount importance, an attitude that is relentlessly hammered into our minds and deeply entrenched in our school culture.
Little wonder then, that students turn to tuition as a means of improving their grades. The general perception of tuition as a quick, convenient panacea for all grade related ailments likely entices many students to jump on the bandwagon. For some, this is borne out of a deep-seated fear that they are somehow losing out if their friends take tuition and they don’t. For others, it is a cultural force of habit – the notion that a student who doesn’t do well in xx subject should henceforth take tuition in that subject.
Yet, how effective is tuition, really? For now at least, the jury is still out. Among the students and tutors that Raffles Press corresponded with, there appeared to be firm supporters and detractors in almost equal measure.
For some students such as Samuel Teo (14A01A), tuition is unnecessary because “it takes time away from self-revision which is more important when trying to remember and recall the lessons taught in lectures/tutorials”.
Practically speaking though, many students who take tuition may not even need it in the first place. Mr. Tay Meng Kiat, a Y5 Maths tutor who happens to be a former tuition teacher himself, remarks that “Most of the people who go to tuition really don’t need it. There used to be a sense of independence where students would keep trying to solve a problem, but now students just use tuition as a crutch to help them”.
Another student, Ameya Subodh (14S06C) related an amusing tale of how he actually ended up scoring lower for his subjects after taking tuition. “Taking tuition actually made me complacent, feeling that I could ace my subjects without even studying at home. I ended up failing my subjects for the first time in my life”.
Extreme cases aside, though, it should be noted that tuition can be useful in certain situations. For those who have trouble focusing at home or simply require a guiding hand to walk them through their revision process, tuition might be money well spent. Many of those who take tuition also appreciate the smaller class sizes. Indeed, the more introverted ones among us are often hesitant to ask questions in class, but less inhibited about doing so in tuition with a smaller group of people.
Another major selling point for tuition is the extra revision and practice it offers to students. Devoting one or two hours to a single subject allows concepts to be explained at a more manageable pace. The extra worksheets and constant drilling from the centre also help to build up your self-confidence when dealing with challenging exam questions.
Regina Marie Lee (13A01B) is one of many students who’ve benefitted from taking tuition. Just last year, she elected to take Maths tuition after doing badly in CT1, and subsequently improved by 5 alphabetical grades during the Promotional Exams. “It helped me to gain confidence in my Math abilities,” she admitted. “I grew less afraid of doing my tutorials and revision after.”
The issue then, is not how effective tuition is – but rather, how effective tuition is for you. What do you hope to achieve from taking tuition? What does tuition offer you that you cannot achieve on your own? There are all pertinent questions to ask yourself before you make your foray into tuition. And of course, if you can comfortably answer these questions, you should probably move on to the next important one:
Which tuition centre should I go to for <insert subject here>?
Sometimes, choosing a tuition centre can be harder than the tuition itself.
This is perhaps one of the most common tuition-related questions asked by anxious students, yet one of the hardest to answer definitively. There is no agreed upon “best” tuition centre to go to, yet some tuition centres are undeniably more popular than others. Here we offer some relatively prominent tuition centres we have heard about. Although the list is by no means exhaustive or authoritative, we do hope that it will provide some options for those looking for ideas on where to start.
Photo credit: http://www.aspen.com.sg
Tuition Centre: Aspen Learning Centre
Subjects Offered: H2 Physics, H2 Chemistry, H2 Maths, H2 Economics
Locations: Bugis Village (near Bugis MRT), Parkway Parade (can be reached by bus from either Seng Kang or Bedok MRT)
Typical Class Size: 12 students
Website: http://www.aspen.com.sg
Comments/Testimonial:
- Teachers focus on teaching you how to be exam-smart
- Concepts are gone through in detail, for example spending 1 hour explaining concepts that a RI lecturer may spend only 20 minutes on
- Teachers provide “shortcut” methods that are really helpful
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Photo credit: http://www.indigo.com.sg
Tuition Centre: Indigo Centre
Subjects Offered: H2 Economics, General Paper
Locations: City Square Mall (near Farrer Park MRT), Goldhill Plaza (near Novena MRT)
Typical Class Size: 8 students
Website: http://www.indigo.com.sg
Comments/Testimonial:
- Small class sizes allow students to learn effectively
- Well-structured and comprehensive notes/materials
- Teachers are dedicated and spend time going through important concepts
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Photo credit: http://www.thephysicscafe.com
Tuition Centre: Physics Café
Subjects Offered: H2 Physics
Locations: Marymount (opposite RI Y5-6), Clementi (near Clementi MRT)
Typical Class Size: 10
Website: http://www.thephysicscafe.com
Comments/Testimonial:
- Recommended by many RI Y5-6 students
- Teacher is a former RI Y5-6 lecturer; described as patient with students
- Concise and well-written notes
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Photo credit: http://www.learnerslodge.com.sg
Tuition Centre: Learner’s Lodge
Subjects Offered: H2 Economics, H2 Maths, H2 Physics, H2 Chemistry, H2 Biology, General Paper
Typical Class Size: 10 – 12
Locations: Bukit Timah, Kembangan, Bishan, Jurong East, Hougang
Website: http://www.learnerslodge.com.sg
Comments/Testimonial:
- Plenty of other Rafflesians take tuition here (if you’re looking for familiar faces)
- Teachers provide many exam tips along with questions that commonly come out for papers
- Small class sizes; easy to clarify doubts and queries
In general, it’s important to prioritize what you’re looking for in your tuition centre. If you’re already hard pressed for time, it’s probably worthwhile to look for a tuition centre closer to your home rather than one halfway across the island. Many tuition centres also offer trial lessons; it’s a good idea to go for these to get an idea of what their teaching style is like before you actually commit to signing up for lessons. Other important factors such as class size and pricing also come into play when making your final decision. Really, it all comes down to what you’re looking for as a student.
For the rest of us less willing to fork up additional money for tuition, it is worth noting that some of the best tuition in Singapore can be found – free of charge – right here in RI. As Mr. Se Kuan Pin, a Y5 Physics tutor puts it, “your tutors are always available to clarify your doubts”. Many of your tutors are more than happy to answer your queries or go through questions with you if you schedule a consultation.
So, before you rush off to sign up for tuition immediately after the shock of receiving your CT results, take a moment to consider if tuition is truly for you. In a diverse environment like RI, there are many avenues for a student looking to catch up in studies, ranging from your friends to your tutors, and tuition is but one small, small part of it.
Any further queries or opinions? Feel free to drop a reply in the Comments section below!
