Experience
I graduated from a senior high school based in Shanghai. In the twelve years that I spent as a student in the Chinese education system, I established a strong foundation in the appreciation and use of the Chinese language. In 2003, I immigrated to Singapore and undertook tertiary studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In my sophomore year, I begin to assume the role of a part-time tutor and in 2009, I transitioned into a full-time tutor.
WHY CHOOSE ME
1. As a native practitioner of the Chinese language, I am more proficient in general linguistic expertise and with the nuances of spoken discourse. Having been assimilated into the unique linguistic environment of Singapore, I have also developed a functional level of bilingualism, owing to which I presently possess the linguistic wherewithal to explain complex sentences in English terms to students who would otherwise face difficulty understanding them when presented in Mandarin.
2. I prepare my own teaching resources. This, I manage by factoring in the question formats adopted in past-year national examination papers, the outlines of the respective Chinese language syllabi conceptualised by the Ministry of Education, and the individual weaknesses of my students, to ensure that the material I prepare may effectively assist them in improving their grades.
3. The first lesson I conduct for each new student I undertake will be complimentary. During the said session, I will proctor a mini assessment in respect of the various integral sections of the primary and secondary school curricula. For primary school students, this will include the sections of oral, comprehension, and essay-writing, on top of an overview of relevant vocabulary. For secondary school students, this will include the sections of oral, situational writing in the email format, essay-writing, and comprehension. After ascertaining the standards of each student using this diagnostic exercise, I will construct a teaching framework compatible with the student’s language proficiencies at the point of beginning lessons with me.
4. During the 18 years that I served as a Chinese language tutor, I have come into contact with students of multifarious learning backgrounds, some of whom exhibited poor attitudes towards learning in general, some of whom were deprived of an environment suited for Chinese language discourse in their formative years of growth, some of whom lacked interest specifically in Chinese language learning, and some of whom were not of Chinese descent to begin with. Irrespective of the student’s learning background, I will perform the role of a patient and nurturing educator, and do my utmost to instil in them a deeper passion for and understanding of the Chinese language. I will adopt distinctive approaches to my interactions with different students of diverse character dispositions and learning attitudes. This is to ensure that I may best inspire a willingness to embrace Chinese language learning in them and dispel any unwholesome sentiments associated with the subject, through principles of teaching that cater to each individual student’s needs.
5. Outside of my tuition classes, should my students encounter difficulty in comprehending their school assignments or tuition homework, they may freely contact me for assistance. The focus of my lessons is on explanation of important concepts and constructive criticism about the work my students submit. Therefore, my students are required to complete given sets of assignments prior to attending to my lessons. After each lesson, I will update the progress of my student’s homework completion in our group chat.
6. Parents and students alike may depend upon my professionalism and sense of responsibility. I do not postpone or cancel lessons on short notice and continue to conduct lessons even on public holidays. Should a student be unable to attend a given lesson due to other academic/co-curricular commitments, I will make a reasonable effort to arrange an alternative time slot for the institution of a make-up lesson.
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