Frequently Asked Questions
- Are you registered with the Singapore Education Ministry?
- What kind of qualifications do your teachers have?
- What syllabus do you follow?
- Any homework?
- I would like to know what my son is learning. Can you arrange classes for us too?
- I have two boys, 4 and 6. I would like them to take lessons together. Is that possible?
- How can I find out how my children are progressing in their Mandarin studies?
- When do my kids move up to the next level?
- Why do I have to pay for the whole term?
- Can I ask the teachers directly for feedback about my child?
- Can we get replacement lessons for missed classes?
- Can you tell us about hygiene and safety measures at your centre?
Q: Are you registered with the Singapore Education Ministry?
A: Yes, our language centre and curricula comply with all the Singapore Ministry of Education requirements.
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Q: What kind of qualifications do your teachers have?
A: We have 3 critieria when employing teachers:- a) Academic Qualification, b) Experience, and c) Personality. All our teachers have full teaching experience/degrees from different countries. More importantly, they are BILINGUAL and have many years experience teaching both local and expatriate children and are passionate about Mandarin and children. Finally, they are introduced to Little Mandarins’ beliefs and values about teaching Mandarin – making it fun so that they enjoy it and want to learn more.
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Q: What syllabus do you follow?
A: Little Mandarins has a proprietary syllabus which has been specially designed for our method of teaching. Some of our books are sourced from schools while our materials are generated internally to suit the needs of our children. For our students taking “O” levels, we adopt modern teaching methods which incorporate blogs, internet research, movies, music to enhance the learning experience. Suitable for students taking EDEXCEL (UK), GCSE ‘O’ Levels or IB exams.
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Q: Any homework?
A: There is no ‘formal’ homework after every lesson, although we highly recommend parents to go through their worksheets and books introduced after classes. The worksheets are generated internally after much discussion.
For our F2, F3 students, some writing homework is given out for home practice. These are to help reinforce words and characters learnt in class and should not take more than 10 mins per week.
For “O” level students, homework may take the form of research, worksheets etc. These should take no more than 30 mins per week.
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Q: I would like to know what my son is learning. Can you arrange classes for us too?
A: Yes, from January 2008, we will open up several classes for parents in the mornings!!. It took us months to find the right teachers who have years of experience teaching adults and we are excited about this new addition to our programme. The syllabus is specially designed to complement what your children have been learning at our school, as well as to equip you with basic phrases to deal with everyday conversations. Do call us for details.
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Q: I have two boys, 4 and 6. I would like them to take lessons together. Is that possible?
A: We have learnt from experience that this arrangement may not be in the child’s best interest as younger children learn at a different pace from older children. Our priority is to ensure that our students get the quality of learning that they have signed up for. Siblings can be put in the same class but if it does not work out, we will recommend to put them in different classes but hopefully around the same time slots.
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Q: How can I find out how my children are progressing in their Mandarin studies?
A: Your children’s progress is taken very seriously at our school and we track their progress regularly in different ways throughout the term. A detailed report is prepared at every end of term, charting his achievements against all aspects of the programme objectives. Parents are invited in to have a chat with us about the report during the last week of term.
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Q: When do my kids move up to the next level?
A: Each child progress at a different rate. Although it would be ideal for the whole class to move up together, it isn’t always possible because some children have lessons twice a week, some once a week. Inevitably those who have 2 or 3 lessons a week are likely to (though not always due to different learning temperaments) progress better and faster. Your child’s progress and readiness for moving up will be discussed at the progress report meetings.
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Q: Why do I have to pay for the whole term?
A: As our class size is very small, we do need parents to commit the child to a full term. It is also in the child’s interest to give him time to settle in with his new mates and teacher. Learning a new language is never easy and that is why our philosophy has been to make it fun and different. Parents need to understand that results are not immediate so commitment to time and patience is crucial.
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Q: Can I ask the teachers directly for feedback about my child?
A: We always encourage parents to chat with the teachers at the end of a lesson. However to avoid any misunderstanding from either party, particularly as our teachers’ proficiency in English may not be of a high standard, please feel free to speak to us in the office so that we can give you accurate feedback.
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Q: Can we get replacement lessons for missed classes?
A: Yes, makeup classes can be arranged (except for Mums & Tots) as long as they are taken during the existing term. However, we regret that once makeup classes are arranged, they cannot be replaced once missed. On a best effort basis, we will try to schedule makeup classes to suit your child’s availability. We regret that makeup classes cannot be rolled over to the next term.
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Q: Can you tell us about hygiene and safety measures at your centre?
A: We do a general cleaning daily and a thorough weekly clean with disinfectant. Our premises is in compliance with the Fire Safety regulations in Singapore.
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