Ohhh I just can't wait to go home where I can switch back to the local lingo and blab away in Mandarin and dialect. It's so frustrating having to speak Brit English all the time and in their proper tone 'cos the moment I lapse (and I do) in my local accent, I'm asked to repeat what I've said! Surprisingly, after spending more than 10 years abroad, I've yet to pick up the Brit accent (god forbid as the Brummie accent is horrendous!). I certainly do worry that my kids will not know their mother tongue (Mandarin) as they will not have the opportunity to learn. I've tried to find a language school in Birmingham but haven't been successful. Since it's one of the most spoken language in the world (yup, above English) it would be advantageous for them to pick it up. What annoys me about the state school is that they don’t introduce foreign languages to pupils at an early age. I find that it’s the best time for them to learn new languages as their brains are like sponges and they will pick it up so quickly. Oliver is able to count in Spanish thanks to Dora, a computer game he plays where Dora speaks in both English and Spanish. He definitely knows the word frog in Spanish! It’s pointless introducing them when they are 12 yrs onwards as it is more difficult to pick it up and by that time, majority feel that they don’t need to know another language. I guess I've to get a personal tutor in languages... I want him to be able to speak Mandarin and French (only b'cos his mom can speak it and is the official language of the UN!)
Another thing that irks me is their insistance on concentrating on writing... frankly at ages 4 -7, they should be learning new languages! Kids at this age are far too young to do writing and frankly, they got years ahead to pick up writing. And especially when you have a class of mixed ages i.e those who were born in Sept and there has to wait another year to enter school. They have the advantage over those who are the youngest in the class, a good whole year advantage. How can they expect pupils to be able to achieve the same target. Also they fail to take into consideration that boys tend to be slower in picking up reading and writing skills. Some are more interested in playing and to force them to do writing will only cause them to be turned off! I remember my son's teacher told me about his lack of interest in writing late last year. I didn't force him and in fact didn't even ask him to pick up a pencil to write. I figured when the time come for him to write, he will write. It's pointless to force a writing on a child when they are not ready! And true enough, early this year, he became interested in writing and got me to make him a book so that he could write stories. I used to be a teacher before and therefore am only too aware on targets being forced on children not mentally matured to accept them! In the first place, I feel this country send their kids far too early to school. In Singapore and in many other countries that I know, kids formally attend school from 7 years onward!
Enough of ranting, I can now show the Scraplift Challenge LO as it has been revealed! Made use of Rhonna Farrer Flourishes and Swirls stamps and of course some doodling too. Got to play with Cherry Arte papers. Used a plum-coloured cardstock but somehow I feel I sucked at using coloured cardstocks! Always feel it looks awful after I'm done. I much prefer to stick to white or black cardstocks ... which reminds me that I need to stock up on black ones soon. (blogger's playing up so later...)
Another thing that irks me is their insistance on concentrating on writing... frankly at ages 4 -7, they should be learning new languages! Kids at this age are far too young to do writing and frankly, they got years ahead to pick up writing. And especially when you have a class of mixed ages i.e those who were born in Sept and there has to wait another year to enter school. They have the advantage over those who are the youngest in the class, a good whole year advantage. How can they expect pupils to be able to achieve the same target. Also they fail to take into consideration that boys tend to be slower in picking up reading and writing skills. Some are more interested in playing and to force them to do writing will only cause them to be turned off! I remember my son's teacher told me about his lack of interest in writing late last year. I didn't force him and in fact didn't even ask him to pick up a pencil to write. I figured when the time come for him to write, he will write. It's pointless to force a writing on a child when they are not ready! And true enough, early this year, he became interested in writing and got me to make him a book so that he could write stories. I used to be a teacher before and therefore am only too aware on targets being forced on children not mentally matured to accept them! In the first place, I feel this country send their kids far too early to school. In Singapore and in many other countries that I know, kids formally attend school from 7 years onward!
Enough of ranting, I can now show the Scraplift Challenge LO as it has been revealed! Made use of Rhonna Farrer Flourishes and Swirls stamps and of course some doodling too. Got to play with Cherry Arte papers. Used a plum-coloured cardstock but somehow I feel I sucked at using coloured cardstocks! Always feel it looks awful after I'm done. I much prefer to stick to white or black cardstocks ... which reminds me that I need to stock up on black ones soon. (blogger's playing up so later...)
No comments:
Post a Comment