Do tuition teachers teach better than School teachers?

It was indeed an amusing enconter when i was teaching a Form 1 class today. I am not going to touch the story in details but just to share with you something which is now a trend. A trend where people blindly believe that tuition teachers are more believable just because students pay.

When i was a student, I also joined some tuition classes and i did believe that tuition teachers can teach better. Another reason is probably because tuition teachers would explain everything in chinese and we understood clearly what teachers wanted to convey.

But, school teachers have language limitation. Take me for instance, i am not allowed to use chinese when i teach English. However, i sometimes do some translation in chinese to make sure that chinese students can understand. But chances of using English-Chinese are low.

Back to the story, a few cute sutdents of mine kept saying "No teacher, my tuition teacher said it is like this". They doubted my words and they looked unbelievable. From them, i could sense that they would rather choose to believe what tuition teacher has told. Interestingly, i told them that i am also a tuition teacher and a school teacher, i know the latest syllabus better. Lol... From their eyes, i could sense that they changed their perception.

School teachers are trained teachers, graduated from faculty of ecucational studies in University. They know the pedagogy and also the psychology, they know so many other skills in teaching that non school teacher's tuition teacher doesnt know. But it depends!

A teacher must not only know how to teach the subject matter, but also, a teacher's job is to influence, bring joys, lower students' anxiety level, give encouragements and etc. On the other hand, a teacher has to be a role model for students, influence students to think positively, and teach students how to live.

In short, now to me, tuition teachers or school teachers are similar. Both can be good facilitators if they really LOVE TEACHING:-)

Hello Working, Goodbye CNY Holiday...

How time flies! This year i have a wonderful holiday although i was very busy going here and there for the whole week! However, Celebrating the festival with the beloved family is indescrible as the bond is stronger after each and every occasion. As the saying goes "blood is thicker than water".

Filial piety is the best policy, togetherness is as cool as drinking pepsi, parents are feeling happy, more happy than having money, loving and caring, million toasts filled with appreciation and sincerity to Daddy and mummy:-)

Happiest moments will normally fade away without us knowing, but the wonderful memories are kept in our lexicons for remembrance, now and always!

Hello School and students, hello marking and correcting, hello paper work and sweat, here i am back!

A Sleepless Night

I wonder why i can't fall asleep today although now is already 2:15am, it seems that my mind is runnig wildly like a blind eagle wandering aimlessly in a storming night! Like a lonely pioneer who has yet to come out any idea! Good also, this makes me write something bullshit here!

However, i will try my best to turn in earlier. How i wish i could be "Da Xiong" in Doraemon, the mischievious, weak, jellyfish but cute boy who is a sleeping king. Haha...GOOD NIGHT AND HAVE A NICE SLEEP EVERYBODY!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2010

Dear all,


I sincerely wish all of my students will enjoy their wonderful holiday to the fullest! i am takin this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who have been working with me all these while.

May you be blessed, stay healthy, wealthy, handsome and pretty constantly!

GOD BLESS!

CHEERS...


Best Regards,
Mr. Yew

Saddened by my students

It was the first time i became a form teacher and the moment i knew this news, my mind kept tellin me that i have to get ready with all kinds of challenges! Yes, indeed. I have been facing them!

I wonder why when other students from other classes could pay the yuran but half of my students couldn't. I wonder why they will keep tellin me the never end "next week".

I wonder why they can't cooperate with the class leaders when the leaders are just doing their duties. I wonder why they seldom clean the class when the Duty Roster is pasted in front of the class.

I wonder why some of them will go over to other students' seats and never heed my advice. I wonder why they will sometimes forget to bring this and that...
There are so many other wonders in my class. God Bless!
I shouted loudly at them today although my anger did not rise. As a teacher, my duty is to bring joys to students and they learn when their anxiety level is low and the tiredness is reduced.

When students call me "teacher",i always think what can i "GIVE" when anyone shows me the respect. They are just like my little sisters and children. Although i was quite sad about what happened in my class, however, the bonding of ours can be tightened in near future- I HOPE!

Asking my Form 2 students to write Freewriting

Well, asking my students to write freewriting weekly is something worthwhile and meaningful, at least for me, but not for most of them. They might be thinking that i am a tyrant who merely gives instructions without sufficient reasons.

For those who understand me in and out, it goes without saying that they will know i always go for a war after much practice and preparation. To win is easy, all you need to do is to persist till the end. Besdies, one has to ask for directions before going to an unfamiliar place. As the saying goes " Success is belong to those who have thoroughly understood their enemies".

Writing a freewriting is actually to train students'OBSERVATION towards anything that happens around them. On the other hand, it also trains students' MEMORY and CONCENTRATION. The more they write, the better their language will be. The flow of the ideas will come out very fast in a short time if students have used to thinking and observing. In addition, students' maturity will be enhanced day after day.

It serves as a way to release students' tension or a way to express their inner feelings via putting their thoughts into words. I believe that my students will find enjoyment and a sense of achievement upon writing in english.

I am quite happy to see that most of them are really putting their thoughts into words. They will become competent writers, one day, i hope!

Thank you so much for everyone's hardwork. I sincerely hope that you guys will go on moving for acheiveing a higher peak. Thanks to 2D AND 2B students:-)

From: Mr. Yew

A Poem to my FORM 5 Students

The little monsters who I have known for years,
Have always been burning my nerve,
Your learning attitude is worse,
And sometimes you guys are adorable but weird.

Coming to class early is a miracle,
Attending the extra class is unbelievable,
Completing the task in class is incredible,
Listening attentively in class is unthinkable.

But, showering you with love and care,
Is a worthwhile thing we share,
Influencing you with thoughts and words,
Is a priceless act I serve.

You guys will be graduating soon,
Be prepared with the real world,
Overcoming the obstacles and challenges,
Be strong and be humble,
For the people and the nation,
Good luck, my dear students!

Written by: Alex Oct 09

Coming Back;-)

Well, it has been a long time i did not write anything in my blog as i have been busy with my teaching stuff so far. However, i am coming back to drop some lines! I should be active enough in blogging, putting my thoughts or teaching philosophy in words, sharing the ideas or life experiences, but it seems like i am talking to myself. I have been asking my students to do blogging, but most of them would never do it. I ask my students to view my blogs and give comments and none of them have done it so far. Whatever it is, i will keep motivating them to write blogs and there is a hope for them to improve their English proficiency via e-blogging! CHEERS...

Words Twisted- What a Life!!! SIGH...

Yesterday when I was giving Form1 tuition, suddenly, a student asked me a question about the food that my students had prepared. It was a serious matter to me because some people did not listen to the intended meaning that I said.

Perhaps, my Chinese language is "TOO GOOD" for me to express my feeling, emotions, opinion or views. Some people might have misunderstood my meaning. It was actually a happy event that shared with my students in Yong Peng High School, but, i was quite disappointed knowing that my words/ meaning had been twisted.

What would my 2 students feel when they knew that their well-prepared cake, green bean soup, pudding and others had been laughed at/ despised by the so called Alex sir??? In fact, i wanted to praise their effort in making the wonderful snacks, but never did i think that my meaning had been twisted.

SIGH... What a life!!!

WORDS ARE DANGEROUS... VERY DANGEROUS!!! From a Bad Teacher!

Last Week at CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

I am going to finish my teaching practical very soon. 3 months is coming to an end. How time flies, teaching at this school has never been easy as i need to face all boys. However, i find myself enjoyable coming to the school and impart the knowledge that i possess.

Building bridges is more important and it comes at the first place before i can deliver the knowledge to students. At first, before i came to CHS, i told myself that i could not do much and i could not expect much from the students as 3 months is a short time to influence people.

But after 12 weeks here, although some students made me headache and i was forced to drink 100plus to regain back the wasted energy as my tissues worthlessly burnt , i have begun to love the students and i have found some of them changed to become better men. Well, is this rewarding? Yup, it goes without saying.. Indeed, it is! I need to leave those whom i have begun to love and care. Anyway, this is life and life goes on. I gotta accept the reality.

To 4M and 4H students, as your teacher, i am very proud of you guys! i hope after i have gone, you will keep your passion burning and i hope i have influenced your life. I am with you all the time if you remember and use the life knowledge that i taught you:-)

Good luck and all the best. Keep in touch!

From: Teacher Alex/ Mr. Yew