My Blog

Two years ago, a father of an IB (International Baccalaureate) Year 1 student approached me to help his boy.  I explained that I was not competent in IB syllabus and could not accept the kid.  The father convinced me (at that time) that though the boy was in the IB programme, the syllabus and format in his school for Year 1 and 2 was primarily IP (Integrated Programme).  

I have been teaching the boy for the last 2 years now, and he had done well for English in both Y1 and 2.  It’s the beginning of his Year 3 and he had shared that effective now, there are no more comprehension and critically-thought essays for him.  Essays would be literature-text based; something I had expected from the get-go.  Thus, I had to make the difficult decision to inform his dad, potentially stopping my lessons with him.

This story that I share is testament that I will never take my students for a joy ride.  Everyone comes to me with an objective – to do well.  And I hold myself accountable to get them there.

In view of the recent spate of serious bullying incidents in schools, I wrote to the Straits Times Forum Page to share my personal experience.

Many of us may not be aware that we could be speaking “bad English” because it’s how we have been conversing and they ‘sound right’. 

In line with the “Speak Good English” movement, I have identified some very common grammar mistakes that many people; not only students but adults alike, tend to commit. 

May I invite you to have fun with 3 sets of test questions (How Good is your Grammar – Test 1, 2 & 3)?

Test 1 – Beginners’ Level https://moenrichment.com/resource-readings/#grammar1

Test 2 – Intermediate Level https://moenrichment.com/resource-readings/#grammar2

Test 3 – Advanced Level https://moenrichment.com/resource-readings/#grammar3

Share with your friends perhaps, and test your level of proficiency!  Let’s strive towards the 3Cs of English – Communicate Correctly and Confidently!

A very long time ago in Italy, a young artist made a living by selling his paintings on the street.  A very rich woman offered him $1,000 to have her portrait painted. The poor artist was fully committed to paint the best he could of her.

When it was completed, the woman didn’t like how she look (in fact, that was exactly how she looked) and backed out on her promise. She refused to pay for the work and called it “a piece of trash”. The artist was extremely hurt by her insult but told her that one day, she would buy that painting back at more than 600 times the price. The woman scoffed and left.

The humiliated artist returned to his hometown. 10 years had gone by and he soon became a renowned artist. His works attracted the rich and famous, including friends and associates of the woman who trampled on him a decade ago.

Friends of the woman who attended the artist’s exhibition had told her that all his paintings but one, were snapped up.  It was the portrait of a woman and it was not for sale.  Everyone commented that the portrait looked so much like her.  Curious, the woman went to the art gallery.  There, at the centre of the gallery was the portrait of her that the artist painted 10 years ago.  It was titled “THIEF”.  The woman was dumbfounded and apologised to the artist. And yes, she paid 600 times above the original price for that piece of painting she once called it “a piece of trash” – $600,000. That artist was Picasso.

By sharing this story with you, I hope just like Picasso, believe in yourself and never let others underestimate your worth.

A little boy was playing at the playground on his own while his parents were occupied with their screens.  The boy was seen calling out to his parents on many instances; apparently trying to get some attention or perhaps, re-assuring nods for the fun he had.  However, his father continued gaming on the phone while his mother, merely responded with cursory nods; her eyes glued to the social media feed.  I could see the kid’s dejected expression when his parents were more interested in their screens than paying attention to him.

On another occasion, a little girl was seen playing badminton with her dad at an open space.  Her dad was holding the racket on one hand and his phone on the other.  He was watching a football match whilst playing badminton.  Most times, he would miss the shuttlecock because he was engrossed in his phone.  Instead of having a good badminton game, the poor girl was mostly serving the shuttlecock over to her dad – because her father would miss the shuttlecock.  And at one point, I heard the little girl pleaded “dad, can you please stop looking at your phone already…?”

Parents often lament that their children especially the teenagers, are more interested in their “rectangular friends”, than having a good conversation with them.  When children are in their formative years, do parents send the wrong signals like the ones mentioned earlier?  Think about it…

Have you ever wondered the difference between Intelligence and Wisdom?  By definition, Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills; whereas Wisdom is the ability to think sensibly.

Indeed, Intelligence is about one’s intellectual capability and Wisdom is discerning right from wrong.  

Possessing both Intelligence and Wisdom would be ideal, but if you can’t have the best of both worlds, which is more important?  Intelligence or wisdom?

A doctor recently had his medical license revoked by the Ministry of Health for 14 counts of professional misconduct (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/moh-revokes-suspended-gp-s-licence-to-provide-outpatient-medical-services)

In a separate incident, a Singapore diplomat was suspended after allegedly filming teen at public bath in Japan (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-diplomat-japan-film-teen-public-bath-mfa-probe-diplomatic-immunity-4308991).

Certainly, these well-learned individuals are no less intelligent to become doctors or senior government officials.  However, because of their lack of wisdom, they have got themselves into trouble and lost everything that they have worked hard for.  

The moral of this article; Intelligence may help you achieve what you want in life.  But the lack of Wisdom will make you lose everything.  So if you have to choose between Intelligence and Wisdom, I am sure you know what to choose.

The PSLE results have finally been released.

Congratulations to those who have done well and to those who have fallen short, don’t be disheartened. You have merely yet to shine. Remember, every situation can present itself as an obstacle or an opportunity. You must never stop believing in yourself.

Many years ago, a boy took his PSLE and was greatly anticipated to earn himself a place in one of the top schools.  Not only did he fail to secure a place in the coveted schools, he was unceremoniously posted to a neighbourhood school (in the past, you had to choose your schools first before the results were released). 

Yet, he did not stop believing that he could soar to greater heights.  As he was one of the better students in the non-elite school he was posted to (Mayflower Secondary), he excelled both in his studies and in sports.  He became a Head Prefect and a Basketball team Captain.  He was always eager to help his straggling peers and was well-liked by friends and teachers alike.  He thrived in the environment; something which probably might not have happened in an elite school.  He eventually fared handsomely at the GCE O-levels with A1 for ALL SEVEN subjects. He got into a top junior college and aced his GCE A levels; winning a government scholarship.  The rest is history… The boy is none other than my beloved brother.

My brother was not crushed when faced with a disappointing result initially.  Instead, he embraced it positively and believed that he could still make a difference.

Before I conclude, I would like to leave you with a famous quote from Forrest Gump. 

“Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Never stop believing, really…

When writing essays, apart from mature and logical arguments, the use of of BIG vocabulary is another pre-requisite if you want to achieve a distinction.  According to official marking scheme by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB), these are called ambitious or complex vocabulary.  Sounds complex?  Not really.  

These words are actually found in the comprehension passages of various schools, newspapers and books, of course!  Whenever I come across them, I note it down and over the years, I have a collection of almost 300 of them (and still counting…).  I share these words with the upp sec and JC students.  They use them in their practice essays.  Of course, the ultimate aim is for them to use in the exams.  And for those who do, they score in language.  

So, don’t underestimate the power of vocabulary if you want to ace your essay.  Attached samples of students who use them in exams.

Every year, I am invited by the Buddhist Society to conduct O-level English seminar for parents and students.  The seminar held last Tuesday was the 7^th year since I started conducting the annual session, as a way to do good for society for what I have been blessed with.

Among the feedback that I received from the participants, I am most inspired by one that commented what he/she had learnt in that 3 hours, was more than what he/she learnt at school.  It’s flattering but it’s very motivating to have parents walked up to me after the seminar, thanking me for a job well-done.

You can view more pictures by clicking  https://moenrichment.com/photo-gallery-2023/

Recently, a JC student left his/her previous tuition class and asked me if he/she could join my lessons instead.  I asked him/her if he/she could share with me the reason for leaving the previous tuition.

The lessons were online and students were not required (even not allowed)  to switch their camera or microphone on.  The teacher would be delivering the lessons and students just had to listen and make notes.  They were not allowed to ask questions.  There was also no homework at all.

I believe to many students, lessons like these would be “perfect” for them as it’s a breeze to just listen and no work needs to be done.  Since the camera is also switched off, students can do their own things while the lesson is in progress.  To students who really think this is the best kind of tuition, think again…

Lessons like these have no interest if students learn and follow.  The fees are cheap, but it’s really a waste of parents’ hard-earned money.  

The student failed GP eventually…  To all my students, now you know why I have been strict with you.  That’s because I care.