It's finally the last day of Celeste's Chinese Holiday program @ Han Language Centre (Woodlands). Relieved that it's over. Hehe.. Dragging Celeste to class this week was horrible. Despite that, I am glad that I signed her up. She is trying to speak more Mandarin now. She still didn't learn to identify words in the program like I had hoped, but at least, she is speaking Mandarin. Anyway, here's the story why I dreaded bringing her for lessons this week...
When I first chanced upon the Chinese Holiday program, it was actually Hua Language Centre that caught my eye. It's 2 week program looked interesting and I thought it would be a good idea to sign Celeste up for some lessons. Unfortunately, the dates did not suit me as I was still working and I signed Celeste up with Han Language Centre, thinking that with Han's reputation, the program offered would be better.
I was wrong. For the first lesson, although Celeste was happy to attend the lesson, I found out that the kids mainly did worksheets and had some story telling by the teacher. For 2 hours they were there, they completed a 6-7pg worksheet and did coloring. I asked Celeste in front of the teacher if she enjoyed the lesson, her innocent response was: No! Boring! I don't blame her. Who can sit down for 2 hours just to do worksheets?! Even I would feel bored.
I talked to the teacher and asked her about Celeste's progress, she told me that I just need to read more to Celeste and that Celeste is able to sit through the 2hr. Hah. That was the first lesson.
Subsequently in the week, the same old routine happened in class. Worksheets, stories by the teacher, perhaps some singing by the CD and goodbye. Celeste went into the classroom ok, not terribly excited, and came out happy to see me.
The next week came the problems. After 3 days of no lessons, Celeste went back to class unhappy. She kept asking me if we were going for Chinese lesson. Dense me did not notice that she was actually unwilling to go for lessons until I saw her red eyes when we arrived at the carpark. Her usual complaint: TIRED. But I dragged her into the classroom and the teacher took over. Luckily, the teacher is caring and patient and could tolerate Celeste's nonsense. When I picked her up, Celeste was back to normal, extremely glad that the lesson was over. :p
The next 3 days were battling days. We bribed Celeste with food that she loved, shows that I would bring her to watch and places we would go if she behaved herself when she went for the lesson. It was a huge relief to see her enter the classroom with red eyes and not bursting into tears.
It is a lesson to be learned. Mummy should ALWAYS enquire more about the teacher and the class. It was my mistake not asking more about the program and assuming that it would be "FUN" as it stated on the brochure.
It was definitely not fun and I am not signing up with Han Language for next year. Would be trying out Berries which managed to convince me with their program that it is indeed learning through play. Very important for kids this age to learn through play. If just do worksheets, I can do it myself at home.
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