After back-to-school season, now comes the next part for parents: monitoring their big kid’s academic performance. One of the first subjects that come to mind when it comes to monitoring academics is Math.
It's not easy dealing with kids’ math problems. Parents have their own stories to tell about how they coped with math in their time. SP forum member diver_girl shares "I remember during my college days, I would cry and struggle in my Math subjects. I don't want my Nigel to go through the same difficulty. That was my plain and simple reason [for enrolling him in a tutorial program]." If that statement is familiar, you might consider enrolling your child in a supplementary math program. Below are some Math Tutorial Centers in the Metro. If your child's school offers an after-school tutorial program, you might want to consider that too. If your child's difficulty isn't only with math, you are not ready to commit to a long-term program, want him to stay at home for his sessions or just want your child to ease through an exam, getting a freelance tutor could be for you.
Read the article: Does my big kid need a tutor?
Whatever kind of tutoring your child needs, SP did the work of looking into Math Tutoring Centers for you. Below are five Math Tutorial options.
Kumon
image from ph.kumonglobal.com
Today, Kumon has 46 centers around the globe with 202 centers in the Philippines including cities like Batanes, Baguio, Cebu and Zamboanga . They do not consider themselves as a Tutorial Center because they have their own system, not always aligned with the child’s lessons in school. Their goal is long term, aimed to focus on a child's mastery in math and reading, building a solid foundation to prepare him for the future.
Long Term Goals
Miss Abigael Lavares, Chief Instructor of Kumon Salcedo Village Center stressed that in Kumon, the first procedure is for parents to attend the orientation. This is to educate the parents on what Kumon is, how it works, answer their questions and give them time to think about enrolling their child. Kumon's system is long term and they want the parents to work with them in reaching their child's goal. The child's then has a diagnostic test and assessment. The results are discussed with the parents and they are given time to reach a decision. Kumon's target for the child is to finish a goal they have set according to their assessment.
Kumon focuses on self-learning development
Kumon starts students at the "just right" level. A first set of worksheets is given to the child according to his assessment results so he can find the work easy, catch up, and eventually progress from his current level. Their Math Program has more than 4,000 worksheets with 21 levels. The number of worksheets and level given to a child will depend on his assessment. It may sound like a heavy load but it’s because the worksheets are designed to advance their level in small steps. A lot of repetitive equations are given to make the students master the relations and combinations of numbers until they stop depending on finger counting and prolonged mental calculations.
The role of the Kumon Instructor
The Kumon Instructor assists and observes the child's study behavior, especially when repeating a worksheet. She encourages the students to learn by themselves and helps them develop an appreciation for their achievement. Sometimes, answering worksheets has to be repeated since there are other factors the Instructor looks for other than a good score. One of the Instructor's duties is to ensure that the child has mastered the level before moving on to the next. All these are recorded and discussed with the Parent. A common issue with Kumon is the homework. To meet Kumon's objective to develop self discipline and mastery, doing worksheets at home is needed. Kumon assures parents that the assignments are always given to meet the child’s level of knowledge. Parent support is strongly encouraged in Kumon.
At Kumon, students are seated side-by-side with two students per table facing the Instructor. The Instructor does not remain at her seat but occasionally approaches her students for guidance. The atmosphere is always quiet and preschoolers have a separate area. The Salcedo branch has a comfortable waiting area for the guardians and a separate room for Japanese students.
The Cost and Duration of the Program
Kumon accepts students as young as 3 years old, depending on his ability to follow instructions. The eldest student they had was a senior citizen who enrolled in their math program so that he could guide his grand children in their Kumon lessons. Attendance required is 2 times a week for 30 minutes to one hour per session. Homework is always given at 10-20 pages a day, depending on the child's capacity and ability. They do not have a quarterly or semi-annual program. Their monthly rate is P1,800 per month, per subject for preschool and elementary school level and P1,950 for high school students. With continuous work and attendance, a student can surpass his own school level and even reach and finish college level math. Length of study to complete a full Kumon curriculum can fall between 1 to 3 years.
Get more info about Kumon and their FAQs at www.ph.kumonglobal.com
source: http://ph.kumonglobal.com , www.kumon.com.uk, Abigael Lavares of Kumon Salcedo branch
Click here to read about another math tutorial program, Enopi.
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Here are more math tutorial programs.
Enopi
Enopi is a supplementary educational program founded by Dr. Kang Young- Joong, a renowned Korean tutor in the 70s. A good story depicting Enopi's vision is about a teacher who visited a museum a day before touring his students. He was crouching down to look at the paintings. When asked why he was doing this, he answered that he wanted to see the artwork at a student's "eye-level". Enopi still lives with the same philosophy, to see through their students’ eye-level. The name Enopi is composed of E, which stands for "eye" and "nopi,” a Korean word for "level". Today, Enopi has over 2 million members in more than 12 countries with 50 centers in the Philippines.
Basic Thinking and Critical Thinking
Enopi Math teaches Basic Thinking and Critical Thinking. In a nutshell, Basic Thinking areas include arithmetic, equations, measurement, etc. Critical Thinking includes patterns and relationships, problem solving and spatial sense. At Enopi, students are first taught how to write numbers before counting, to visually familiarize themselves with numbers. Children can also earn points equivalent to a “currency.” They can exchange their play money's worth with any item in their rewards cabinet. This familiarizes them with real local bills and teaches them about retail math. One unique thing about Enopi is the workbook. Colorful cartoon illustrations excite their students to work on their sheets.
Weekly Teacher Training and Why They Don’t Just Tutor
Exercises are not repetitive and there's always a game at the end of the lesson. Enopi invests in weekly teachers’ training. All their centers reserve a day for training, tests and release of certificates to ensure that their teaching standards are always met. "Tutoring alone will not help the student because it only teaches what the child needs for the day, just to pass. Enopi is a supplementary program that aids schooling," says Miss Vanessa Chan, Center Head of Enopi in Cash and Carry Makati. "Parents should take time to play the role of the their child's teacher if they want their child to improve, this is why Enopi has an open door policy that the parent can come in at anytime and ask about their child's improvement." She also emphasized that Enopi doesn't do tutorials. They’ve encountered the problem of having a lot of parents coming to their centers just before the finals. Enopi requires at least a 3-month program for their students.
The Cost and Duration of the Program
Enopi accepts students 3 years old (depending on his comprehension and attention span) up to high school level. They have adult students who want to improve their English as well. The maximum student teacher ratio is 5:1. Low "U" shaped tables and chairs keeps both students and teacher at the same-eye level. Attendance is one to two times a week with an average of 45 minutes per session. Their rate is P1,980/month with a registration fee of P390. For a free trial and assessment and more information about Enopi Philippines, check out http://ph.enopi.com
Source: www.enopi.com, http://www.forbes.com/global/2008/0505/032.html, Ms. Vanessa of Enopi Center, Cash and Carry Makati
Click here to read about another math tutorial program, Galileo.
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Here are more math tutorial programs.
Galileo Enrichment Center
Galileo is an all Filipino product conceptualized in 2005 by highly respected educators, consultants and researchers who were recipients of the Carlos Palanca Memorial and Metrobank Outstanding Teachers Awards. They are also highly regarded in the local academic circles including the Department of Education, U.P., Ateneo, as well as international institutions such as Harvard and UNICEF.
Enrichment versus Tutoring
Galileo has the right "come-on" tool in attracting children 3-12 years old: lively-looking characters and amusing titles for every program, a festive, playroom-like center and a learn-while-playing structure. Like six year old Princess of Makati Hope and Ben of Golden Values, other children of Galileo like play time the best, not aware that they are already in the core of their lesson. "Children in our center move around. They do not stay in just one place or corner of the room. Each center day is unique, we set a variety of activities for our students for their tailor-fit program." relates Dahlia Bagatsing, Director if Galileo Pasong Tamo. True to Galileo's philosophy that learning can be fun. "Tutoring is different from enrichment." Mrs. Bagatsing adds. "While tutoring targets the child's school lesson, enrichment touches the root of a child's learning difficulty and focuses on it. The reason why some children have difficulty coping with school work is that their foundational skills are weak or they have not mastered the basic skills".
Five Ways of Learning
In both Math and English programs, Galileo applies their "telescopic approach" which is their five ways of learning that taps into the different learning styles of each child. The Space Race is where flash cards are used, Tactile Launch Pad uses manipulatives, Nova Data for equations and worksheets, Book Galaxy for story books related to math and concepts and Cyber Explorer is for computer aided lessons in the form of games. Learners enjoy the reward system wherein they earn galleons, a monetary unit exclusive to Galileo, which at the end of their lesson can be exchanged with fun items called Bling's Things.
The Unique Concept of Math Art
Math Art is a workshop that integrates math concepts with art expression and is offered side-by-side with the Galileo Math Program. The eight Math Art activities include Food Fractions (which is about combination of art mediums to form fractional parts), Zoorigami touching on geometric parts and crease patterns through animal origami, and Treasure Measure which teaches about measurements and the crafting of shirts and bags.
Proud Parents Aldrin and Lisa Casino placed their daughter Lexi on the program to cut her TV time and prolonged company with her yaya. At 3 years old, she can now read and count up to 100. Abella Socorro is very proud of her 4 year old son, Joaquin, when he zoomed to third place on the honor roll during the fourth quarter. Another parent even got 30% off their child's tuition fee for getting first honors, an incentive offered by the child's school for top students. They all had Galileo to thank.
The Cost and Duration of the Program
Galileo has a Back-to-School promo rate for all its 19 branches in Metro Manila. They have a monthly rate of P1,618 for a 5 month program and P1,674 for 3 months. More info at www.galileoenrichment.com
Sources: Galileo Program Brief; Mrs. Dahlia Bagatsing - Franchise Director Pasong Tamo Center
Click here to read about another math tutorial program, Tutoring Club.
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Here are more math tutorial programs.
Tutoring Club
Tutoring Club was founded in 1991 by Lawrence Schwartz. He wanted the focus to be less on the individual tutor and more on the quality of the lesson plans as they were applied to the individual student. Lessons are based on the California Aptitude Test (CAT). Tutoring Club is a Las Vegas based company with more than 200 branches in the US, 10 in Metro Manila and 1 in Cebu.
Back to Basics
Tutoring Club's Tricia Vistan believes that success in math is based largely upon mastering the basic skills. The critical period in establishing this foundation is between grade school to high school. Most parents enroll their children with them for advancement and to keep them above par. Their Amazing Math is a Tutor Aid program that focuses on the fundamentals to build skills necessary for success in basic math as well as advanced courses like algebra and geometry. Other Tutor Aid Programs are Rx Reading, the Write Way and Tutor Up. Tutor Up uses individualized instruction based on the student's subject of interest. Every math level as well as science and foreign language levels are available.
A 32-Hour Guarantee
What's good about Tutoring Club's Tutor Aid program is that it guarantees to raise a child's academic level in 32 hours or tutoring service will continue for free until the goal is reached. They have a low tutor-student ratio of 1:3, with a minimum of 1 hour session and no homework. This way, the student is not given additional load at home. Tutoring Club in Allegro Center, Pasong Tamo Extension Makati has a spacious interior with "U" shaped tables for Teachers to handle and focus a maximum of 3 students at a time and for them to receive a wealth of personal attention.
A Motivational System and Membership Card
Tutoring Club uses tokens as a reward for every correct answer. Students can then exchange their token's worth with items displayed in their Treasure Cabinet. From hoola hoops to Starbucks GCs (for HS and college levels only), the rewards are worth working for. Tutoring Club members even get a membership card and get discounts and freebies from partners like Fun Ranch, Club Princess, Nike, Fully Booked and more.
With a good motivational system, a peaceful center conducive to learning, no homework to add to the child's study load and a guaranteed learning system, the child's academic goals will surely be met and even surpassed.
Check out Tutoring Club International at www. tutoringclub.com and Tutoring Club Philippines on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Makati-City/Tutoring-Club-Philippines/119621348049633. Inquire directly at Tutoring Club for program fees and program duration.
Sources: www.tutoringclub.com, Tutoring Club's prints and Tricia Vistan, Marketing Head of Tutoring Club Philippines.
Click here tp read about another math tutorial program, Number Works and Words.
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Here are more math tutorial programs.
Number Works and Words
Number Works and Words is a Tutorial Center that uses an educational yet enjoyable, computer aided system. It uses a software mediated method developed by expert educators in New Zealand. It has brought success to hundreds of thousands of students for 25 years in countries including Australia, New Zealand, England, UAE and the Philippines. It has been operating in the Philippines for 13 years in Alabang and now has branches in Katipunan and Greenhills with expansion and franchising plans.
Individualized program
Well trained tutors are there to give students a hand in their individually designed program. They act as the "live teacher" who complements the technology of the system. Students can come to the center only once per week for one hour with a one page assignment. Students who complete their tasks are rewarded by educational computer games, stickers, even a place in their hall of fame. Julia, a 5 year old artist, is given art activities as a reward. This is one way they "personalize" their program according to the child's level and interest. Each child's tailored lesson can be completed in 3 months.
Further Development of Skills
Most Parents go to them not because of their child's low grades but to further develop their math skills. Mrs. Angela Yang-Handy, Manager of Number Works and Words even related that one of their students enrolled with them because he's always a second placer, never the first. After completing his tailored program, he finally topped his school's math competition. The former first placer learned about his strategy and also enrolled in Number Works and Words.
"When a child associates math with negativity, it hinders his learning," according to Mrs. Handy. With the reintroduction of math through the modern system used by Number Works and Words, parent Katrina Britannica says that her children look forward to their tutorial day.
Check out more information, even play fun games on their website www.numberworks.com
Find out more about tutoring on SP articles:
Stress-free Tutoring With Your Preschooler
3 After School Tutorial Programs
Photography by David Hanson Ong
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