5 Life-Changing Tips To Help Your Child Prep for Exam Success!
By WR!TERS@WORK
By WR!TERS@WORK
In the blink of an eye, your child has gotten their PSLE AL score and is preparing a new academic phase of their life – secondary school. Your child might be more independent in their studies now, taking ownership of his/her own development and not needing constant nagging to learn more good phrases for composition. While this gradual maturity is certainly heartening, do not downplay your role as a parent in supporting your child throughout their secondary school education. Here are 5 essential tips you can continue to support your child in his/her academic journey and help them maintain their well-being.
There are four core learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading & Writing and Kinaesthetic – something that WRITERS AT WORK’s educators are acutely aware of in employing tailored strategies in our English tuition centres. Understanding your child’s learning method can help you tailor your support to their needs. Encourage your child to use online quizzes and assessments to determine his/her predominant learning style, and work together to find ways to allow your child to learn more effectively. It might take them some time to adapt, but this will ensure better learning progress in the long-run.
Helping your child increase their study efficiency through revision techniques like the ‘Pomodoro’ method, Active Recall, Spaced Repetition etc. will allow them to discover a method that works for them and make it easier to achieve their desired grades. Encourage them to practice past year papers and expose themselves to a variety of possible exam questions. This ensures they are prepared to tackle even the most difficult questions that pop out during the exams.
For instance, let’s take a look at the 2023 O Level Paper 1 questions which covers multiple essay genres like descriptive, personal reflective and argumentative. It is important to know the relevant formats for each essay type and techniques you should use when encountering such genres.
2023 O Level Paper 1:
Q1: What is your idea of a perfect afternoon? Describe what you like to do and how it makes you feel.
Q2: “As I looked back, I realised I had made the right decision.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
Q3: “Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing our finances.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
Q4: “All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude.” How far would you agree?
(Parents going thru homework with child)
Checking in regularly on your child’s academic progress ensures that they are on track with their study plan. As a parent, it will be easier to help them identify areas for improvement, and provide them with the additional support and resources they require. Offer help when needed and encourage them to actively clarify their doubts, whether with you or their teachers and tutors. Do also make an effort to communicate with your child’s teachers to check on his/her performance in school, and see how you can better support your child at home to ensure a consistent approach to learning. If your child is struggling with their secondary school English examinations, WRITERS AT WORK provides English enrichment for secondary school, where our teachers spare no effort in coaching and equipping students with language skills to excel in school and beyond. Otherwise, do check out our other blog posts for Secondary English composition writing tips which might come in handy during exams!
Praise your child for their effort and progress instead of focusing solely on their results. This helps them understand that hard work and determination are crucial to achieving success, and they would learn how to embrace similar challenges in the future.
At this stage of their education, it is normal to start seeing undesirable grades, especially when adjusting to the sudden increase in workload and challenging curriculum. However, parents should help their children view these mistakes and failure as learning opportunities instead, discussing how to improve on these in the future. Instilling a growth mindset in your teen is a process that will take time, but can significantly shape their perspective towards life.
Active listening can improve communication and your relationship with your teen. Show your child that you care for them and set aside time for heart-to-heart talks for him/her to tell you what is on his/her mind and share recent happenings at school. Be empathetic and refrain from criticising their thoughts and emotions. Rather, listen with an open mind and heart and try your best to understand why your child feels that way, offering your input only when nearing the end of the conversation. When you tackle problem-solving after you have validated your child’s feelings and listened actively to his/her worries, he/she will be more open to accepting your suggestions and this fosters mutual trust.
Supporting your child when preparing for the examinations involves a combination of both practical strategies and emotional support. Remember that your involvement and encouragement means a lot to them. Stay tuned to our website for similar blog posts where we will share more tips and strategies for you to support your child during their examinations.
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
1. How Do You Write a Good Secondary School Essay?
Firstly, you need a strong introduction which engages the audience. Secondly, you need appropriate content which is balanced on both sides if you are making an argument for and against something. Lastly, your conclusion must be synthesised and weigh the benefits or disadvantages of the essay subject, or provide another viewpoint about the topic.
2. How Do You Structure an English Essay?
Firstly, you need a good hook as an introductory paragraph. Next, the body of content follows, which will answer the essay question provided. Lastly, a strong conclusion which “comes down on one side” is needed.
3. What Is a Good Paragraph Starter?
It depends on the essay. For narrative writing, the student can start in media res. For argumentative essays or discursive essays, a thesis statement is needed which outlines the central tenet of your argument.
4. What Should You Not Do in an Essay?
You should not ramble with run-on sentences in an essay. Furthermore, students should always answer the essay question and not address points which are unrelated. Good grammar and vocabulary, along with robust sentence structure, is a must.
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