Nicole says
Whenever I take a student, I see it as a personal responsibility, and not a part-time job where I just collect the money every month and go through the motion of coming every week. I feel sad whenever a student has not scored up to their parents' or their own expectations, and similarly, I am happy for students who do well.
I do not just focus on merely improving from one grade to another, but I wish to instill the idea into every one of my students that it is imperative to give your best shot in everything you do. This is not merely relegated to the way you study, but it should extend to the way you live your life and your attitude towards the endeavours you undertake. To me, that is all that matters, and when I see a student who is motivated to strive for his or her own goals without spoonfeeding and unnecessary pressure, that is when I feel I have succeeded as a tutor.
If I should be called to describe my personal qualities as a tutor. I would say that I am passionate, dedicated, and personable.
I usually find it easy to strike up an amiable relationship with the parents of the tutors I teach, and this is important, because I feel that parents play a greater role in motivating and pushing the child. As a tutor, I try my best, but it is inevitable that my 2-3 hours with the child per week leaves me with very little time to monitor the child on a regular basis.
I am dedicated to my students. My current students will testify that my status as an undergraduate does not mean that I throw them one side when my own exams are round the corner. On the contrary, I give them the intensive lessons they require, but this also calls for the parents' flexibility and understanding in the matter. I remember an incident on the day of my exam. I spent the entire day preparing for my own exam and took it in the evening. Right after that, I rushed down to a student's place for a one hour lesson, and another one right after that, because they required the extra lessons and their exams were the following day. I taught and studied until 12 midnight that day, but it did not deter me from wanting to give my best to my students.
I am also passionate about my craft, because I believe that teaching is far more than sitting with a child and watching him or her do work. I've incorporated extra readings from my own books. I make notes for my students, and I also bring in games or surprises to sustain their interest in learning. For example, I learnt through personal observation that the cartoon Ben 10 is popular among boys in lower primary. I bought a pack of Ben 10 cards and used it to demonstrate addition and subtraction of numbers within 1 to 20. As a result, my student not only adored the game, but wanted to do more math exercises. He has constantly done well for his tests ever since. I believe in being creative whenever I can, if it helps the child to grasp concepts better.
I believe in managing my time well and living a life that is well-rounded. Outside of giving tuition to eight students, I hold the position of managing editor in a campus newspaper. I also undertake internships during my three month holidays, and my ambition is to either work in the field of journalism, advertising, or public relations. During my free time, I play with my four cats, indulge in a good meal with my family, go shopping or travel with my friends.
I strive to motivate as a friend would, but to be firm and to correct as a teacher. I also like to incorporate visuals and the occasional theatrics into my style of teaching. For example, I once brought sweets to a primary 1 tuition lesson, to teach the child how to compare numbers. When I prepare students for oral examinations, I give a brief lesson in phonics, and impart the importance of taking on the persona of the character in terms of tonality, enunciation, and pitch.
Current Assignments 2 primary 1 students (English, Math, Chinese) 1 P2 English. 2 primary 4 students (English, Math and Science). P6 English, Math and Science. Sec 3 (Normal Academic) Literature
StarTutor's Review
Nicole is a confident and amiable person. Being an undergraduate, she is proud to say that she has been committed in all her tuition assignments. She is definitely not the kind of undergraduate to put her studies and school before her students. In fact, she has been able to juggle her students, school, family and friends well. She even gives additional lessons requested by her students despite her examinations are round the corner. When her exams are over, instead of taking a break, she continues to give intense lessons to her students until their exams are over.
Nicole specializes at teaching English to all levels. She knows the approach to build the foundation in her students which is essential before proceeding to advance levels. For introduction of composition, Nicole starts with 5 main headings to draft out the essay – Character, Setting, Problem, Complication and Climax. If necessary but not recommended, Nicole will converse in between Chinese and English to students who have minimum knowledge of English for more precise understanding.
Being a tutor for primary level, Nicole encourages her students to use their five senses to trigger their imaginations and come up with descriptive words. She will come up with scenarios to let her students understand the different degree of words of the same meaning (angry, furious, enraged, infuriated etc) so that they can apply accordingly. She gives pep talks to motivate her students and support the learning of 50 new vocabulary words weekly.
Nicole analyses the weak points of the students and will come up with strategies to help them overcome it. She will not restrict the child to any type of composition as long as the child is comfortable and happy with, she will assist to help him excel in it.
Nicole has a current student that is very shy and not motivated in her studies. After a few lessons, Nicole discovers that compliments and praises work on her. Thus, Nicole changes her strategy and comes up with a reward system, giving praises such as “Good!” when her student submits a well-done piece of work. She also helps her current student in other subjects that are within her abilities if she’s done with her teaching or when her student asks for it.
Nicole believes in being a committed and responsible tutor to bring out the best of each and every student of hers.
- Interviewed by StarTutor (Xuehui, Fangling and Elvin), 20th May 2008
Testimonial
Nicole is very good, dedicated tutor. - Carol Tan/William Tan, parent of P6 for EMS
2004 GCE A (
Victoria Junior College)
English Language (B), Economics, Theatre Studies & Drama (B), General Paper (A2)
2002 GCE O (
Tanjong Katong Secondary School)
English Language (A1), Literature in English (A1), Combined Humanities (B3), Mathematics (A1), Additional Mathematics (A2), Science (Phy/Chem) (A1), Chinese (B3), Chinese(Oral/Aural) (Merit)
Other Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts, Arts and Social Sciences, University Scholars Programme, NUS
Majoring in Communications and New Media
Commitment Level
As an undergraduate, I might have to change my tuition timings once in a while. However, I only do this when absolutely necessary, and it happens quite rarely. I place my students on top priority. This is especially the case during the mid-year and final year examinations. I offer to give intensive tutoring during this crucial period, and while I still charge on a lesson-by-lesson basis (either 1.5hr or 2hr per student), I occasionally extend my stay at the tutee's place at no extra charge.
I believe in managing my students and my studies optimally, and I will not sacrifice one over the other. As a student myself, I fully understand the challenges students goes through in their studies, as well as the importance of having someone by their side to guide them.
