“It’s you who helped Y go from not speaking English at all to speaking it now.”
I recently received a heartfelt message from a foreign student’s aunt, which truly touched my heart. It is incredibly rewarding to be recognized for the impact I’ve had on my student’s life. I’d like to share the remarkable progress Y has made during our private classes.
Y began his lessons with me last November. At that time, he was five years old and had just arrived in Singapore the previous month. Before starting with me, he had another English tutor who taught him phonics. This early foundation explained why he was already adept at letter sounds and reading new words when we first met.
After our initial lesson, his aunt was amazed. She exclaimed, “Wow, he sat through a lesson with you for 1.5 hours! He couldn’t even do that for an hour with his previous tutor.” For me, the secret is simple: my lesson time is meticulously planned and thought out. We make every minute meaningful, ensuring there is no time to feel bored or distracted. Our multisensory method goes beyond worksheets, incorporating engaging activities to maintain his interest.
At the beginning, Y spoke to me exclusively in Mandarin, even when I addressed him in English. However, after a month of thrice-weekly lessons, he began conversing with me more in English and proudly shared his progress with his aunt. Our lessons evolved from simple conversations to include reading comprehension exercises, preparing him for Primary One. I was incredibly proud of his progress, watching him grow from zero English proficiency to confidently conversing with me.
One memorable moment was when Y’s aunt shared her joy: “He came home excitedly and said he made a friend with a Caucasian boy! They had been in the same class for months, but he never spoke to him because of the language barrier. He finally went up to him to ask his name!”
At the start, our lessons sometimes didn’t go as planned. There were instances where Y struggled with a single word, and we would spend 40 minutes to an hour ensuring he understood and could use it correctly. Often, when he wanted to share something with me but he wasn’t sure how to say it, he would tell me “I write give you see.” Recognizing his strength in blending sounds, I used this as his safety net. We would write down sentences of some of our conversations and this approach helped reinforce his learning and built his confidence.
Our lessons always included time for conversation, often starting with his favourite topic—food. This repetition created a safe space, as he knew what to expect in each session. As he progressed, he began asking me questions, practising forming proper sentences. Online literacy games, hands-on activities and a reward chart were also invaluable in boosting his understanding, confidence, and interest.
People often ask, “If we don’t speak this language at home, my child will not be able to speak right?” Do you still think this after reading Y’s story? I always encourage families to speak the language they are most comfortable with to provide a strong foundation. If you are not proficient in a language, it’s better not to use it for daily conversation. Consistent exposure to incorrect language patterns can reinforce these mistakes, making them more ingrained and challenging to unlearn later. Children can still gain exposure and learn a new language through various means such as extra classes, school, stories, videos, and songs.
Receiving a message like this is especially meaningful to me because helping students achieve literacy success is something I’ve been dedicated to for over a decade. Sometimes, we see progress and think it’s just part of our job, but hearing it from a client is a powerful reminder to appreciate ourselves and acknowledge all the efforts that didn’t come easy. Y’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, the ability to personalise instructions, and a supportive environment. From not speaking a word of English to confidently engaging in conversations, his progress is a source of immense pride and joy.
“Sometimes, I like to think of myself as a proficient doctor who identifies weaknesses and prescribes tailored teaching methods, nurturing literacy success in every child.”
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