Category Archives for English Essentials

Blog on English Essentials

Hello and welcome to our first of many blogs regarding English enrichment and its many aspects.  We will be talking about many forms and meanings relating to English, ranging from punctuation, pronunciation, spelling, grammar, phonics and a whole lot more.  

English Oral Practice​

To start us off, we will begin by looking at oral and pronunciation, and why many students, who are learning English, find it difficult at first.  This is because everybody has an accent from their mother tongue and so can be difficult to lose when learning a new language. Furthermore, certain word soundings will be challenging, but keep practicing, and never give up if you really want to sound like a English native.

Here are three methods for you to try.

  • Arrow Circle Right

    Interacting with a native.

    This is the obvious and best method and will give you that much needed interaction of talking and listening that will be vital.  Subsequently, it will give direct access to an English source in which the person can help with your pronunciation. In addition, they will be able to identify your mispronunciation of words or syllables. If you need further assistance, listening to music or a podcast will definitely be of value.

  • Arrow Circle Right
    Study each word and sound them out.
    ​
    ​At this point, you can begin systematically focusing on specific sounds especially ones that give you the most trouble.  Do not give up and continue to sound them out, going slowly at first so that you accentuate each letter until you have it perfected, then you can speed it up.  Keep everything basic and do not rush ahead of yourself. Start off with small words and then work your way up to the more difficult and structurally longer vocabularies.
  • Arrow Circle Right
    Do you have the appropriate tools at your disposal?  
    ​
    ​Many English students study in one of two ways. Some buy a book and follow it blindly, where others enrol onto a course.  The prior will most likely focus on grammar rather than pronunciation, therefore, it can have major implications on your verbatim skills.  The latter, will offer you so much more in terms of an all rounded experience as you will be encompassed with other students starting off at the same level and a teacher to guide.

Let’s take a look at some words.

Socialisation (so shul iz a shion)

Television (tel a viz ion)

Following (fo low ing)

Pronouncing (pro nown sing)

Weather (weth er)

Internet (in te net)

Condition (con dit shon)

Anomaly (a nom ma lee)

Adding to letters (vowels) together will dramatically change the pronunciation.

ou and ow, gives the “ow” sound.Out, owl.

ea and ee, gives the “ee” sound.Fleeing, seeing, sea.

ie and ei, gives the “ee” sound.Receive, receipt,

oi, gives the oy sound.Choice.

​Want To Know More About Our English Enrichment Classes? 
Call Us Today

6455 3063

Horrible Homonyms (Part 2)

Previously, we discussed homophones, which are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and mean different things. This month, we'll be looking at homographs, which are words that are spelled in the same way, but mean different things.

For instance, the word cap could refer to a limit on something, or to a kind of hat. In the exercise below, match the homograph with the right sentences! Be careful, some sentences share the same homograph!

(a) bear, (b) minute, (c) bow, (d). fine, (e) wound

1. If you litter, you might have to pay a ______.

2. Tim is very conscientious; he takes care of even the most ______ details.

3. Hilda could not ______ to tell Joe the news of his dog passing away.

4. He ______ his clock up before going to bed.

5. After the performance, all the ballerinas took a ______.

6. "Help! A large grizzly ______ is chasing us!"

7. People often say that there is a ______ line between love and hate.

8. Charles ran to the nurse to get his ______ bandaged up.

9. "Do you have a ______ to spare? I would like to share with you what happened earlier."

10. Jenny loved wearing her bright pink ______ on her head.

Answers:

1. d,   2. b,   3. a,   4. e,   5. c,   6. a,   7. d,   8. e,   9. b,   10. c

Are you ready for the PSLE?

We are pleased to announce that we have a FREE 2-week PSLE English Boot Camp! In the Boot Camp, students will benefit from Videos and Practice Papers on alternating days. The Videos teach vital grammar rules and commonly mistaken word pairs, while the Practice Papers pertain to the key PSLE English Paper 2 components.

Sign up today to receive our FREE 2-week Boot Camp in your inbox daily.

Horrible Homonyms

Homonyms are a special category of words where the words can either sound the same but are spelled differently (homophones), or spelled the same but mean different things (homographs). Homophones are words like "bear" and "bare" which students tend to mix up in their writing. 

Exercise: Choose the right word from the following pairs of homophones. (Answers are at the bottom of the exercise.)

1. The baby (bald/bawled) when his bottle was taken away from him. 

2. "Oh no! I'm going to be late for my (lessen/lesson)."

3. Tom was so angry with Darla that he (seized/ceased) her toy unicorn from her.

4. The cloth was so (sheer/shear) that you could see right through it. 

5. HMS Victory is a famous (navel/naval) ship that was instrumental in the Battle of Trafalgar.

6. He pulled the line (taut/taught) and settled comfortably on the hammock.

7. A (fowl/foul) smell filled the air as they yanked off the sewer lid.

8. Daniel was too (tyred/tired) to shower when he reached home and plopped onto his bed instead.

9. Tricia raced to reach the airport on time but alas; it was all in (vain/vein).

10. "Could you (pair/pare) the (pear/pair) of (pares/pears) for me please?'

Answers:

1. bawled, 2. lesson, 3. seized, 4. sheer, 5. naval, 6. taut, 7. foul, 8. tired 9. vain, 10. pare/ pair/ pears

Are you ready for the PSLE?

We are pleased to announce that we have a FREE 2-week PSLE English Boot Camp! In the Boot Camp, students will benefit from Videos and Practice Papers on alternating days. The Videos teach vital grammar rules and commonly mistaken word pairs, while the Practice Papers pertain to the key PSLE English Paper 2 components.

Sign up today to receive our FREE 2-week Boot Camp in your inbox daily.

How to Use the Apostrophe

We use the apostrophe in two cases: 

1. When we want to show possession. Eg. The cat belongs to Jack. This is Jack's cat.

Confusion arises when the proper noun that is possessive ends with an 's'. Do we write-

(a) This is James' cat. or (b) This is James's cat.

It turns out, both are acceptable. However, if there are multiple Jameses, the apostrophe has to be placed at the end.

Eg. Both Jameses' cats have nine lives. Not - Both Jameses's cats have nine lives.

2. When we are writing short forms (contractions)

Eg. Will not = Won't/ Until = 'till/ I am = I'm/ Let's = Let us/ It's = It is/ It has

Be extra careful about the correct usage of it's and its. To show possession of the pronoun "it", we do not use an apostrophe.

Eg. The cat scratched its own owner. Not - The cat scratched it's own owner.

Start preparing for the PSLE now

Have you subscribed to our FREE 2-week PSLE English Boot Camp? Students from Primary 3 and up can benefit from this course.

In the Boot Camp, students will benefit from Videos and Practice Papers on alternating days. The Videos teach vital grammar rules and commonly mistaken word pairs, while the Practice Papers pertain to the key PSLE English Paper 2 components.

Sign up today to receive our FREE 2-week Boot Camp in your inbox daily.

“The habit of writing for my eye is good practice. It loosens the ligaments.”  ~ Virginia Woolf

How to use Who and Whom

Many are often confused by the correct usage of the words "who", "whom" and "whose"; particularly "whom". Interestingly, the word "whom" is not commonly used in modern spoken English, but rather in the formal written form. Generally, it is safer to use "Who" if one is unsure, since the use of "whom" can be limiting.

The difference between these two relative pronouns is that "who" is used in the subject position of a sentence or phrase, whereas "whom" can only be used in the object position, or after a preposition. Sounds technical? Click here for a clearer picture.

Start preparing for the PSLE now

Have you subscribed to our FREE 2-week PSLE English Boot Camp? Students from Primary 3 and up can benefit from this course.

In the Boot Camp, students will benefit from Videos and Practice Papers on alternating days. The Videos teach vital grammar rules and commonly mistaken word pairs, while the Practice Papers pertain to the key PSLE English Paper 2 components.

Sign up today to receive our FREE 2-week Boot Camp in your inbox daily.

“The habit of writing for my eye is good practice. It loosens the ligaments.”  ~ Virginia Woolf

The Importance of Reading

As the exam period comes to an end this month, students will finally be able to find time to do the things they like. Hopefully, they find time to indulge in one of the most timeless hobbies- Reading. 

Other than being the most effective ways to improve one's proficiency in any language, reading also reaps a myriad of other benefits.

1. Be Well-Informed

The accrual of knowledge is most commonly accomplished by the act of reading. No one is born with information readily available in his head. Even the most intelligent person needs to fill his mind with meaningful data before he can analyse and express an opinion on a subject. Being the most information dense of all media, it is no wonder print continue to be the most common tool for learning.

2. Improve concentration and mental capabilities

The cognitive process of reading forces the mind to focus and think. Reading is quite simply a process of drawing meaning from a line of symbols (the alphabet). It is impossible not to think while reading. The same way how games and puzzles sharpen the mind, reading helps increase brain power and improves memory. 

3. Boost Self-Esteem

People who are illiterate suffer from low self esteem. They miss out on the joys of being able to text on the phone, understand an award winning foreign movie, singing karaoke, buying the correct toiletries... the list goes on. Most importantly, being able to read well is a prerequisite to getting a better education. When one gets a good education, it is more likely that he will do better in life, and ultimately feel better about himself.


Start preparing for the PSLE this holidays

We are pleased to announce that we have a FREE 2-week PSLE English Boot Camp! In the Boot Camp, students will benefit from Videos and Practice Papers on alternating days. The Videos teach vital grammar rules and commonly mistaken word pairs, while the Practice Papers pertain to the key PSLE English Paper 2 components.

Sign up today to receive our FREE 2-week Boot Camp in your inbox daily.

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."- Margaret Fuller

Please click the links below for book recommendations:

Recommended 2017 book list for children

Booker Prize Winners (1968 to present)

Guardian 2017 Booklist for Children

Parts of Speech

A noun is a part of speech that refers to a person, place or an object. A verb is a part of speech that indicates action. Usually, students do not get confused between the two, but there are some notable exceptions.

Take a look at the pairs of words below:

The Problem

It is easy to be confused between the pairs, but generally, the noun forms end in –ice and the verb forms end is –ise. “Relief” and “Belief” are nouns, while their –eve counterparts are verbs.

The Solution

  • I advised (verb) him to speak to the teacher, but he did not take my advice (noun).
  • He said he went to practise (verb), but no one saw him at the practice (noun).
  • This ointment is supposed to provide relief (noun), but it did not relieve (verb) my pain.
  • It is my firm belief (noun) that people who believe (verb) in unicorns are silly.

The Benefits of Group Classes

Why Group Classes Accelerate Your Child's Growth

As an English teacher, I am often asked by parents if group tuition, as opposed to 1-on-1 sessions, is suitable for their child.

My take is that 1-on-1 tuition is best for a child who is very weak in his English foundation. In such cases, the child will need to up his basic language proficiency before taking on anything too complex, especially if enrichment lessons require him to express more sophisticated opinions or spar with his peers.

The personal tutor needs to address the child’s more pressing needs by working on the basics, much of which involves repetition, rote-learning and rule-based practice. In this way, the tutor can help shore up the child’s English proficiency without the added burden of the child having to cope with more challenging activities or a flurry of opinions from his peers.

Often, a child compares his ability with that of his peers. If he perceives himself to fall short, his confidence can take a hit. Much of learning English is about confidence—in daring to express, question, analyse… So, it is imperative that the child remains positive in his English learning journey.

How We Create A Nurturing Environment To Optimise Your Child's Learning

However, for a child of average English competency, group classes are highly beneficial. Here’s why:

1. Children learn as much from their social interaction with their peers as from their teacher’s instruction.

*  For instance, if a child sees that his classmates are attempting or capable of navigating a task, he too can be more willing or motivated to try.

*  Sometimes a bit of friendly competition also helps spur a child on to take up new challenges.
 
*  Our teachers are very experienced in creating a cooperative and interactive learning environment where healthy cross-learning is encouraged. The teacher knows how to navigate discussion such that there are clear learning points to take away from each lesson.

*  In such an environment, students cultivate empathy and respect too. They learn to take turns, keep an open mind that is receptive to alternative opinions, and learn the skill of questioning or opposing respectfully.

*  These are all important communication skills that should be cultivated in our children.

Group Engagement Stimulates Creativity

2. The benefits of group engagement are most obvious in oral practice and essy writing, especially when brainstorming for points of argument and plotlines.

*  In a 1-on-1 lesson, a child learns only from his ideas and the teacher's inputs; this can be very tiring for the child since all focus is on his lone efforts.

*  If mishandled, such an approach can lead to tedium, followed by stress and/or boredom.

*  However, if he's in a group, the number of ideas generated is multiplied, and an experienced teacher can explain to the class why an idea is excellent while another might be less appropriate, especially for school exams, for instance. In this way, each child learns more in the 2 hours, and more importantly, is more engaged due to the accelerated pace of the lesson and the energy that a lively discussion injects into the lesson.

*  The same is true for generating content for oral practice.

By Geraldine Chew

The Importance of Public Speaking

Public speaking is one of the most important, and yet, also one of the most dreaded forms of communication for our students. It is a common sight for students to evade teachers’ questions, or be hesitant about making enquiries that might facilitate their learning. With consistent practice, however, public speaking can cease to be an activity that is daunting.

Why should we hone our public speaking skills? The benefits to having good communication skills are innumerable; we are able to forge meaningful connections with other people, influence decisions and motivate social change. 

Below are five key benefits of effective communication:


1) Conveys knowledge. Public speaking ability bears much relevance to our transition to the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”. With the emergence of trans-disciplinary fields, the knowledge economy has become ever more dependent on information sharing and collaboration. We need to convey and share knowledge with others, and the ability to clearly articulate our thoughts means the ability to demonstrate and share our knowledge.

2) Develops and shows confidence. Think Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ellen DeGeneres, or Bill Clinton. People tend to gravitate toward confidence, and one aspect of the appeal of these charismatic speakers stems from their unshakeable confidence. We will perhaps do well to remember that confidence is not an inherent trait, but a product of seasoned practice. Practising public speaking helps us to command others’ attention at school and at the workplace. More importantly, it helps us cultivate a more confident and enduring persona that will have a ripple effect on our lives.

3) Motivate others. David Foster Wallace, in a commencement speech at Kenyon College titled “This is Water”, opens his speech with a short story where two fish are so indifferent to their environment that they ask what water is. His speech was an impassioned reminder of the importance of maintaining perspective as we go through life. Good public speakers build rapport with their audiences and inspire us to action, showing how public speaking can be an important motivational tool. Having good public speaking skills means we are able to motivate others, which allows us to rally them to our message and goals.

4) Increases enquiry and knowledge. One lesser known technique to facilitate learning may be to adopt a shift of our own perspective from student to teacher. Have you found that preparing for a presentation requires you to be more familiar with the subject matter itself? We are forced to ask questions about the subject matter in order to field questions should they arise. The process of preparing for public speaking thus facilitates our own learning. It encourages a deeper understanding of key concepts so that we can communicate them effectively.

5) Differentiates you from your peers. We have all had encounters with people who stand out from the crowd. If we recall these instances, it is likely that those who made a strong impression were effective communicators. Good public speaking skills enable us to communicate or deliver material effectively, which is key to making a good first impression. The ability to make an impression prevents us from being cookie-cutter, giving us an edge over other people.

Enrichment vs. Tuition

Parents often ask us: what is the difference between English enrichment and English tuition? As parents, we want our children to do well in school exams, so that they can have a better chance at securing a seat in a well-known secondary or tertiary institution. We want our children to have all the resources at their disposal, as much as we can financially afford, so that they can have an edge over their peers. We want the best for our kids outside the school syllabus, so that they have the exposure and perspective to handle real-world problems when the time comes.

English enrichment is all of that, and more.

A good enrichment class will not just focus on the short term academic needs of the student, such as doing well in the school assessments. It must create an awareness in the student: that life is more than just books and projects; that what is happening around us will ultimately impact our lives in numerous ways. In the mid- to long-term, language is a lifelong learning process. The ability to critically analyse information is crucial for students in the 21st century. And it does not stop there. Head knowledge is one thing, but knowing how to communicate one’s thoughts well is another.

There are many things that we do differently at Creative Campus. We believe these distinguish us not only from tuition classes, but also other enrichment centres. Here, we highlight just a few:

(1) Handling Compositions

A common question parents ask is this, “Why is my child not scoring in compositions? He has all the nice phrases and I send him to the most expensive enrichment centre which gives them student models.” Memorising stock phrases at the Primary level is not the way to go, especially when every other student attends the same tuition or enrichment centre. Imagine how an examiner would feel when he comes across “fluffy magnolia clouds dotted the azure sky” for the 20th time. Naturally, these students will not score well; the beautiful phrases have lost their lustre and become too common, cliched even.

Examiners look for compositions that have character and showcase the writer’s personal voice. At Creative Campus, students learn the necessary skills and techniques to approach the topics. By mastering these techniques, students can apply them to any composition they face, and always craft essays that stand out from their peers.

At the Secondary and General Paper levels, the emphasis is on analyzing the questions with care; brainstorming with fellow students in class to derive the content; approaching the given topic critically from various angles; and then expressing their opinions clearly and coherently. The requirements for a top grade at the upper levels would require much substantiation. Our lively classroom discussions of news and current affairs also serve as a fodder of information for students to flesh out the arguments they need to excel in the discursives.

(2) Handling Comprehension

There are certain skills students should master when approaching comprehension questions. Changes to both the PSLE syllabus from 2015 and the varied examinable components in the ‘O’, ‘A’ and IP levels have left many parents scrambling to understand how best to equip their children with the necessary tools to ace these national examinations. When handling comprehension components, the teachers at Creative Campus will teach students to identify the different question types, then impart the skills to address each question type, such as how to analyse the questions, accurately source for the answer, and then phrase the answer to address the given question.

(3) Communication is Key

In order to stand out from the crowd, a student must know how to communicate his ideas clearly, coherently and succinctly. Knowing and applying information learnt to assignments are prerequisites for entrance into top-tier academic institutions. At Creative Campus, we start students from young to communicate effectively, be it in writing or verbally. The little ones learn about the world via Media Studies, or Show and Tell, while the older students learn how to craft their thoughts and opinions into structured morsels in their essays or for verbal presentations. But don’t just take us at our word. Read our student’s testimonials to find out more.

1 2 3