Just got my daughters’ CA2 results. My Sec 1 girl obtained 4 A1s, 2 A2s and 2 B3s. My P4 girl got 3 A-stars and one A. It’s quite a relief because having both parents as teachers, a lot is expected from them and from us! I’m also mindful of the fact that many parents, even teacher parents, are not able to teach their own children. Fortunately, we take steps to ensure that THAT does NOT happen in our family, because I don’t see how parents can have confidence in my tutoring ability if I can’t even tutor my own children. I’m a firm believer in hardwork and discipline, because intelligence and creativity alone cannot ensure academic success Singapore-style.
Many reasons to be happy …
I’m so happy this week. A few of my tutees, who have been failing math all the time this year, have managed to pass their latest school tests; they even surprised their teachers. And a few minutes ago, i received a personal message in FB from an ex-tutee, who informed me that he had won the MOE Teaching Award. I tutored him when he was in sec 3 and 4 and in JC2. He was always struggling with his Math and Physics, but I knew he would succeed some day in his chosen field as he was very hardworking.
Many of my ex-tutees have obtained places in JCs and in universities, with at least two obtaining 4 A’s in their A-level H2 subjects. A few of them have even become tutors at my centre. Sometimes I ask myself, why is it that I do not put up testimonials from them on my website? I guess because the reason is that, and you should know it by now, testimonials displayed anywhere can actually be faked. It is easy for any tutor or tuition centre to just come up with names and write their own testimonals and assign grades to these names. A centre can also pay top students to sing praises about its programs. Being a parent myself, I’m skeptical about the testimonials, supposedly from students, that I have read all over the place.
Maybe I’m new to the world of advertising, but it doesn’t matter. My tuition service has run for 8 years already, and there are hundreds of students and parents out there who will do the advertising for me, without me asking them to. : )
Rgds,
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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
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By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
Ad hoc Individual Consultation for Math and Physics …
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TUITION CLASSES:
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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
______________________________________________________________
By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):
I understand that there are students who don’t need long-term tuition but are weak in certain topics and they just need to consult a qualified and experienced tutor about these topics since exams are near. I’ve re-organised some of my tuition slots this June hols, so now I have a few free slots that can be used for ad hoc or short-term, individual consultations for the following levels and subjects:
PSLE Math, Sec 4 Math (E/A/IP/IGCSE), Sec 4 Physics, H2/H1 Math.
Fees per hr: JC – $80, Sec – $60, Pri – $50. (Pay per lesson)
Contact no: 97860411
Timing of lesson: Call or sms to arrange.
Location: Blk 627, Bukit Batok Central (near West Mall, 3 min walk from Bt Batok MRT or bus interchange).
Tutor: Mr Ilyasa, M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), A-Level (RJC); ex-sch teacher, full-time tutor (8 years) of PSLE, O and A Level Math and Physics.
It’s a pity that negative numbers are not taught in primary math …
Recently I tested two Sec 2 students, who are both very weak in math, on their knowledge of arithmetic involving negative numbers, and the result was what I suspected about lower sec students who are very weak in math. It reminded me of a stint I had giving math enrichment to very weak students in a secondary school. Their stories are the same – inability to handle negative numbers and negative signs in algebraic equations.
If you are in Sec 1, take the following test to see if you have acquired basic mastery of negative numbers. You PASS the test if you can answer every question correctly in not more than 8 SECONDS (yes, ONE SECOND per question). (Note: some qns may not have any negative numbers.)
(a) 5 + 3 = ____
(b) 5 – 3 = ____
(c) – 5 + 3 = ____
(d) – 5 – 3 = ____
(e) 3 + 5 = ____
(f) 3 – 5 = ____
(g) – 3 + 5 = ____
(h) – 3 – 5 = ____
Answers: (a) 8, (b) 2, (c) – 2, (d) – 8, (e) 8, (f) – 2, (g) 2, (h) – 8
If any of your answers are wrong, or you took more than 8 seconds to complete the test correctly, then you need to seriously revise and understand the concept of negative numbers, else your other topics such as algebraic simplification, expansion and factorisation will also be adversely affected. For eg, try the next one:
Simplify – 3a – [- b – (- 2a)]
Ans : b – 5a
Of course there are far harder questions. My point is, get your negative numbers in order, then you’ll see improvement in the way you solve algebraic equations. Remember, you’ll get ZERO marks for just one mistake made in the opening line of your half-page long math solution. So do not underestimate the significance of the negative sign.
The importance of Sec 2 Math and Science …
Beware the critical years in math education …
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For our latest timetable, click here => 
For my H2 Econs class (Tue 4pm-7pm) only …
Ok guys, your homework, here it is. Btw, it’s no longer just part (a), ‘cos I want you to revise more.
Essay Question:
(a) Explain the ways in which car manufacturers compete with one another to gain market share. [10]
(b) Assess the desirability of fewer firms in the global car manufacturing industry. [15]
Instructions:
1. Revise thoroughly the topic on Firms and Market Structure.
2. Answer the question on writing paper in 45 minutes (time yourself).
3. Submit your essay to me when we meet on 5th June.
Note:
Please treat this homework seriously as I may not have time to give you a test on this topic, as there are many other topics and we have only about 15 lessons left. I will still give you an essay revision package like I did for price mechanism and elasticity. Btw, remember that a 45 min essay should be at least 4 pages long. Ok, good luck. : )
Rgds,
Mr Ilyasa
TUITION CLASSES:
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By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
What to do if you had done badly for Math in SA1 in sec school …
Actually, sec students will normally do badly in their SA1 exams, although this should not be used by the students themselves to justify their poor performance. Why does this “mass slaughter” of math students happen near the middle of every year?
Well, my educated guesses are as follows:
(1) If you are in Sec 1, you probably did badly because of your poor or zero exposure to algebra, negative numbers and proper presentations while in primary school. Please realise that your single arrows, your poorly labelled statements and your misuse of equation signs will really worsen your grades this time. So please listen carefully to your sec school teacher’s illustrations on how math solutions are presented in major exams. Many of you would also have made careless mistakes in opening brackets with minus signs on the inside and the outside, and in simplifying or solving algebraic expressions.
(2) If you are in Sec 2, in addition to not having overcome the above problems earlier, you were probably slapped with an exam paper that was designed to “kill”. The ‘logic’ is simple. Sec 2 is a crucial year; it is the year you are “streamed”, the year that decides whether you will be allowed to do pure sciences or additional math in sec 3. So teachers feel that they need to “wake you up”, to humble you, so that you will work harder for SA2. So most exam papers for SA1 in Sec 2 have been set to “wipe out” students. It is not something I fully agree with, as such tactics can also demoralize students for life.
(3) If you are in Sec 3, it was probably because you underestimated the effort needed to master A. Math. Topics like Quadratic Functions and Logarithms need a lot of attention and deep thinking, and even ‘simple’ topics like Remainder Theorem and Partial Fractions have their difficult parts, the kinds that teachers like to select for exams. Make no mistake about this – teachers KNOW what concepts you find difficult to apply.
(4) If you are in Sec 4, the reason is the same as in (2) above, that your Math teachers want to “wake you up” before the prelims and the actual O-Level exam, and also because you wouldn’t have had enought time to revise both Sec 3 and Sec 4 work before the exam which started right after you were taught the last topic. That’s why some schools remove the mid-year exam in Sec 4, or postpone it to late June.
What you have to do now to avoid a total disaster for SA2?
(1) If you are in Sec 1, focus on mastering the solving of Algebraic Equations.
(2) If you are in Sec 2, focus on mastering the solving of equations involving Algebraic Fractions and mastering all the topics on Graphs (Linear and Quadratic Equations). If you have been taught Indices, master that too!
(3) If you are in Sec 3, for Math, focus on mastering Indices, Coordinate Geometry and Trigonometry. For A. Math, focus on mastering Trigonometry.
(4) If you are in Sec 4, for Math, focus on mastering all of Graphs and Vectors. For A. Math, focus on Applications of Differentiation and Integration. If you have no time to revise everything since Sec 1, focus on the topics mentioned in (1) to (3) above. If you have not mastered all the topics mentioned in (1) to (4) above, you will be in serious trouble if you do Math in JC.
Click on How to study for Math or Physics exams to know more about exam preparation.
Click on O-Level Math or Additional Math to know what books you can use for revision and practice.
Or consult Mr Ilyasa @ 97860411.
All the best in your exams!
TUITION CLASSES:
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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
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By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
Integrated Programme (IP) students taking O-levels as private candidates …
Yes, as a professional teacher and tutor, I would encourage it. For two good reasons: (1) to have an internationally recognised secondary education certificate (at least a certificate beyond the PSLE; else it can be quite embarrassing), (2) to learn to prepare for a highly pressurizing major written examination.
Since IP students are not allowed to sit for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level exam (the logic of which I still do not understand), they can sit for the IGCSE exam administered by the British Council.
The IGCSE syllabus is almost the same as Singapore’s GCE O-level exam’s before 2007. In fact, it is academically less rigorous than today’s GCE O-Level although the topics covered are wider. I’ve taught both IGCSE Math and Physics as a relief teacher at UWCSEA and found them to be very manageable for students. In fact, IP students should be scoring A’s for all the IGCSE subjects if they put in enough effort in their studying.
If you need further clarification, do give me a call or sms to 97860411. Btw, I’m Ilyasa, Principal Tutor at Singapore Learner. I’m busy teaching or tutoring most of the time, so I’m sorry if I’m not able to pick up your call at times or reply promptly to your sms.
_______________________________________
TUITION CLASSES:
_______________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
______________________________________________________________
By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
Academic “progress” update … mainly Math …
The end of another week. A lot of sad news in the mass media – crime, violence, recession etc. But one thing has kept me spirited and looking forward to the many weeks ahead – the progress of my students and my own children.
1. A tutee, from the N(A) stream, reported getting a very high mark for her recent class test on the Angle Properties of Circles.
2. Another girl, from an independent IP school, showed me her two common test papers on Math. She did fairly well in one and very well in the other. She regretted doing a lot of careless mistakes in the former, something I warned her about before. But overall, I was quite happy with her performance. When she first came at the beginning of this year, the Math questions she asked kind of frightened me; I mean, it was not the kind of standard that I expected from a student of a top school. But she continued asking lots of questions every week, and now she has outperformed most of her classmates.
3. My Economics tutee from SIM is now able to tutor his classmates, something he’s proud of and I’m proud of him too. He also did well in his Math module, which included Calculus, although he had not done A. Math before. But like all my performing students, he had asked me lots of Math questions and did lots of practice. There is no secret (except one, which I’ll post somewhere else) and no short-cut to doing well in Math.
4. My eldest daughter, who is in Sec 1 in a Band 3 school, obtained full marks (14/14) for her class test on Algebra and Number Patterns. She is also did very well (top 10 to 20% in class) in all her other subjects. My Pri 4 daughter also did exceedingly well in most of her class tests this year, even obtaining 97% in an English test! People may say that their academic results are due to having both parents as teachers and tutors, but I do know of many teachers and even principals whose children are not doing well in school. Raising kids is not easy, and the real challenge is to bring up well-rounded young people.
Of course, not all of my 50+ tutees are showing good progress in school. One of my Pri 5 tutees had just failed his Math class test, which I will have to analyse thoroughly once he gets back his paper. Every ‘failure’ is feedback that some re-strategising is needed. Students do badly in tests for all sorts of reasons, and we have to identify accurately the cause of the problem before applying any kind of remedy. One of the worst things to do as a parent, teacher or tutor is to respond wrongly to a real or perceived setback. Using the wrong medicine for a poorly-diagnosed ailment can lead to even more disastrous results.
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TUITION CLASSES:
_______________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
______________________________________________________________
By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
Education partnerships and ventures …
Hi, I’m Ilyasa, Principal Tutor at Singapore Learner. Singapore Learner has potential to grow and I’m planning to open a learning centre at Bukit Batok and either at Sengkang or Punggol.
If you are teacher-qualified (preferably), passionate about teaching and tutoring, keen to run an education business and are seeking a partner in this business, do give me a call (97860411) and we can have many rounds of discussions before making any commitments.
Now a bit about myself. I taught Physics in a secondary school for 3 years before striking out on my own to give tuition in Physics and Math at secondary and JC levels (since 2005). Currently I’m also a part-time lecturer in H2/H1 Economics. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree with Merit from the National University of Singapore, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Credit from the National Institute of Education, and a Master of Education (Curriculum & Teaching) degree also from the NIE. I’m 40 this year, happily married to a school teacher, and we have been blessed with three daughters, two of whom are still in primary school.
I look forward to working with anyone who is sincere and passionate about making a difference to the academic lives of students.
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TUITION CLASSES:
_______________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
______________________________________________________________
By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
JC1 H2 Math reflections …
I had my first JC1 H2 Math tutee yesterday. True enough, I expect some JC1 students to start looking around for a tutor sometime in March, when most would have received their first test results at JC level.
The topics we covered were Binomial Series and APGP. Not surprisingly, the student had scored A1 for her Additional Math last year, but still struggling with beginning H2 Math topics. Didn’t I say this before, that H2 Math is significantly more difficult than A. Math? JC1 students must take their H2 Math very seriously, else I can guarantee that their Math results would mostly be S’s and U’s throughout the whole year.
For example, Binomial Series is much more difficult than the O-level Binomial Theorem. They may have the same fundamental formula, but the former has many more ‘tricks’ to look out for; ironically, it is this familiarity with the binomial expansion that deceives students into taking this topic lightly, as in the case with Inequalities. As for APGP, although it is not really very difficult, it is very new to most students who have never studied Series and Progressions before. In fact, the Summation sign itself is very alien to most new JC students.
To be good at Binomial Series and APGP, you first have to be very competent in Algebra and Indices. Additionally, you have to have this habit of writing out the first few terms and the nth term of an unfamiliar sequence or series when confronted with the difficult questions. But if you are good at being careless, you are finished.
Lastly, I have one advice for H2 Math students: Beware of the topics Vectors and Complex Numbers. : )
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For our latest timetable, click here =>