Help: Singapore International School (SIS) - Accent

[PoohPoohChan]

I really like the program provided by SIS and I like the standards, discipline and everything. However, since I am from North America, I am really concerned that kids there have a Singaporian Singlish Accent, can anyone let me know if kids do indeed pick up that accent ? I have an offer already and I am struggling whether to take it because I really do not like that accent. Any comment will help. Thanks so much

 

[TheQuasimother]

I was educated in Singapore during my formative years right through to high school. I definitely don't have a Singaporean Singlish accent. It very much depends on the kids you hang out with, the social conditions you are part of. Good teachers in good schools in Singapore do not use Singlish. I was in a great girl's school where the local teachers spoke good English never once using Singlish. I would expect you'd have the same deal at the SIS. Otherwise, I'd be very surprised. Singlish is generally frowned upon by good educators as good English is not Singlish.

That is not to say that I cannot lapse into Singlish. Everyone and anyone who has worked, lived or studied in Singapore learns/picks up Singlish. Any good linguist will tell you that sometimes accent use is very much dependent on social situations. It's all in good fun if you can differentiate.

 

[PoohPoohChan]

Thanks so much! That's a big relief. Moreover, if you grew up in Singapore, do you think their style of teaching is spoon fed type like the local chinese way? Or do you think it encourages creativity like the west? Thanks for your comments in advance

 

[woodstock07]

Do you not like your child speak Singlish or do you not like your child speaking English with a Singaporean accent?

I'm Singaporean and educated in Singapore. I speak proper English with a Singaporean accent, just like Americans speak English with an American accent. I can also switch easily to Singlish whenever I like. Singlish is not encouraged in our education system.

I think the SIS (which is an international school) may not truly reflect the real education system in Singapore (which is a public system). You may get better feedback from parents who send their children to SIS.

 

[happyhour]

1. My kids did pick up Singlish accent, but they lost it once they left SIS.
2. SIS's style of teaching is spoon feed type very much like those of the local schools.
3. To a lot of the parents, spoon feed type of teaching is the main minus whilst its Putonghua and Simplified Chinese Program is the main plus.

Thanks so much! That's a big relief. Moreover, if you grew up in Singapore, do you think their style of teaching is spoon fed type like the local chinese way? Or do you think it encourages creativity like the west? Thanks for your comments in advance

 

[TheQuasimother]

Gosh! That's terrible.
The schools i attended while in Sg never spoonfed.
But I must say that i was not the "average joe" schools and in the 'elite' classes since P1. The teachers expected a lot and we wanted a lot from our teachers.

 

[CNDinHK]

happyhour: couple of questions for you.

1. Are you a native english, cantonese or mandarin speaker at home?
2. What grades did your kids attend SIS? PY1, PY2...to P6?
3. Where do they attend school now?
4. Do you regret sending your kids to SIS?

yes, spoon fed education is worrisome.

 

[CNDinHK]

Also sent you a PM. Thanks!

 

[shaanmom]

Hi CNDinHK, lately we have been getting a lot of advice from people to seriously consider SIS for our 3yo for primary onwards (mainly because we have Sing passports). We are not chinese, so I did not consider it as it seemed to have a strong mandarin emphasis and we don't want to put so much pressure on our son since we are also not familiar with the language at all (I speak some cantonese). In addition, our son is pretty "hyper" and I wonder if SIS can give him individual time and not too much punishment and discipline (I am looking at HK Academy for the small class sizes). Can you share what you have learnt so far? Many thanks!