Patrick says
UPDATED!!
For those parents who are tight on tuition budget and do not wish to compromise on the tutor's concentration on the student, I've a perfect solution for you!
I will be starting my own small size tuition group(max size of 5) to help those needy upper secondary A/E maths and Phy/chem students during this economy down turn.
Benefits that the student will get
FREE notes and answering templates which I have been giving my students to score in exams.
Low tuition fees ranging from S$150 per month(i.e. 4 lessons, each of 2 hours),
AND *MUCH MORE!
Results Proven
100% PASSES
More than 50% of my ex students scored DISTINCTIONS for O level and N level Exams.
Average grade is 2.76(Between A2 and B3).
Location will be at Bishan area.
Time slot available Weekdays night(730-930pm) and Sun(morning, 8am 10am, 10am 12pm. afternoon 1-3pm, 3.30-5.30pm. evening 7pm to 9pm.)
However, if you wish to have one on one tuition, it is still available too! )
*Do contact me via StarTutor for more details!
My Experience
Having a reasonable amount of experience(6 years) in giving home tuition and teaching classes in various tuition centres, I can say that being a good tutor is not as simple as it seems. It is not as simple as having a great interest in providing guidance to the students and regurgitating from the textbook. Experience hits harder than qualifications. There are a few main qualities which I believe I possess that sets me apart from other tutors. I will communicate extensively with my students and provide customised notes, specially designed test papers as well as templates to tackle examination questions.
I do not believe in spoon-feeding the students. I expect all students under my tutelage to be sensible enough to understand the importance of studying. So that the student will have a significant improvement, I always believe that both parties have to communicate to realise their common goal, and work hand in hand to achieve it. That is also the reason why I provide customised notes for the students only if they need and deserve them, on the basis that they are willing to learn (i.e. have an inquisitive mind) and work hard towards achieving better results.
During lessons, besides explaining concepts and assigning practice questions, I will spend time to prompt the student and guide him to the correct answer. In the process, I can discern the students method of thinking, and am able to correct it if there are any misconceptions. His brain will be stimulated and exercised which will allow him to grasp the concept more clearly. For example, if a student can't visualise 3D models, i'll do paper models to let him/her to visualise and get a better knowledge of how to do 3D trigonometry questions.
With practice questions, I focus more on the students presentation of answers because most students do have the knowledge but yet are unable to express that knowledge explicitly, which causes them to lose marks. Most of the time, Ill guide the student to discover the method of presentation that he is most comfortable with. If he is unable to do so, Ill provide my own template for the student to memorise, at the same time, explain the template to him and what the purpose is behind different points mentioned.
As an experienced tutor, I understand how students feel when they have to do tuition work on top of schoolwork. Hence, for homework, Ill usually give only key concept questions that are necessary for complete understanding of a topic. If required, Ill request the student to do a simple mind-map of the chapter as homework. The purpose is to encourage the student to get an overview of the chapter and do a summary on it. The student will have to understand the chapter first before he is able to draft out a mind-map.
I'll always let the student know that Im not only available during the tuition timeslot I'll be always available any day to answer their doubts via various means like SMS and e-mail.
O level Results released on 2012
Jnar - Combined Science (Phy/Chem) A1 (From B3)
Adison - Pure Physics A1 (From B4) - Pure Chemistry A1 (From B3)
O level Results Released on 2011
Tharanii - Pure Physics B3 (from C5)
Adeline - Pure Physics A1 (from B3)
Richmond - Pure Physics A2 (from B3)
Ying Jian - Combined Science A2
Hui Yi - Combined Science B3 (from F9)
Joshua Tong - Maths B3 (from F9)
Joshua - A maths B3 (from F9)
O level Results Released on 2010
Syahin - Combined Science A2 (from C5)
Sean - Pure Physics A2 (from B4), Pure Chemistry B3 (from B4)
Kenny - Combined Science B3 (from F9)
Alex (taught for 3 months)- Combined Science C6 (from F9), E maths C5 (from F9)
Deryn - Pure Physics A2 (from A2)
Wanlin - Pure Physics B3 (from B4)
Jeremy - Combined Science(phy/chem) A2 (from C6)
Vincent - Combined Science(phy/chem) B3 (from D7)
Shaun - Pure Physics C5
Vanessa - Pure Physics B4 (from D7)
O level Results Released on 2009
Benjamin - E maths B3(from D7), Pure Chem B3(from C6)
Tinnapop - Physics A2(from B4)
Reynold - E maths B3(from C6)
Hisham - E Maths A2(from F9 for E maths), Combined Sci(Phy/Chem) B3 (from E8)
N level Results Released on 2009
Sky - E maths and Combined Sci(phy/chem) A1 (from C6)
For O level results which release on 24Jan 2008
Ze Lin- A2 for both Pure Phy and Chem( Improvement from C6 and B4 respectively)
Simin- A2 for E math (from C6), B3 for Pure Chem ( from B4)
Currently teaching 2 sec 4 students Pure phy, chem and maths.(graduated)
2 sec 4 students Combined Sci(phy/chem) (Graduated)
2 sec 4 student Combined Science(Small Group Tuition)(Graduated)
2 Pure physics tuition class(Experienced)1st batch graduated
1 Sec 4 Pure Physics(Graduated)
1 Sec 2 Maths and Science
1 Sec 4 physics
1 Sec 4 combined Sci(phy/chem)
StarTutor's Review
Patrick Li is an affable and honest tutor. He takes pains to ask his students the reasons for studying and why they like or not like the subjects they are doing. To this tutor, hard work is inevitable and effort from the student is very important. He believes that he as a tutor is only a guide for his students and they must believe before they can achieve. He does not think that forcing a student to learn will get good results as they will eventually hate what they are doing.
To understand new concepts and to improve himself, Patrick does his own research and learns from his friends. He practices the technique and later teaches his students in a more user-friendly method. He also makes it a point to work within the given syllabus and not to introduce too much supplementary as the students may get too confused.
Patrick believes very much in visualization. If a student is not able to understand math and physics, he will use everyday objects to teach his students and let them have a better understanding of the concepts. For example, to explain electromagnetism, he relates it to the workings of the electric fan. For math, he uses his own formulas and strategies to show his students. This innovative tutor even uses 3D models so that his students can visualize.
Sometimes, the student understands the concept but has difficulties expressing the answer. This is where Patrick will come in and provide an answer templates. For MCQ, he gets his students to explain they decide on an answer. He believes all 4 answers could be very close and may even be relevant. However, he wants student to be critical of their given answer so that they will be able to score better.
Patrick does not paint rainbow pictures to his students and parents. Instead, he lets the students know the importance of studying and how it affects their future. Patrick also conducts constant feedback sessions with the parents to keep them informed of their progress.
Judging from his strong opinions, Patrick Li stands by his own concepts and is focused. His no-nonsense approach may not be suitable to many parents as some will feel that their children need to be taught the “soft way” but many also believe that his realistic approach is very spot- on and true.
- Interviewed by StarTutor (Belle, Gabby and Elvin), 27th May 2008
Testimonial
