Does Your Child Need English Tuition or Phonics Reading Classes before starting Primary 1?

The transition from kindergarten to Primary 1 may feel overwhelming for parents — there seem to be a thousand things to consider and think about like school supplies, logistic arrangements, academic skills, social skills, worries about whether your child can adapt… and so much more. 

One of the main concerns for parents is the subject of English. There are 2 routes that a parent can choose – either to enrol their child for English preparatory classes that focus on getting kids ready for English skills at a primary level, or to enrol them in reading classes to focus on their foundational reading. 

Each child has different needs according to their abilities and their unique skill level. Many parents struggle to identify what their child needs at a kindergarten level in order to set them up for success at the primary school level. 

A misdiagnosis would cause children to either be underprepared or overwhelmed when they enter primary school. For example, if a child can read well and needs to focus more on English skills like vocabulary and sentence structure, they would need English tuition. However, if a child is still not able to read fluently, then they would need reading classes as a foundation first. A misdiagnosis will also leave parents feeling panicked when they realise that their child is not receiving the correct help for them to succeed in primary school. 

Not to worry, this blog post will educate parents on how to navigate the different options and help you determine if your child needs a general English class or a dedicated phonics and reading class. We will dive into what each type of class typically covers, help you identify your child’s specific learning gaps, and finally guide you on the best approach to set your child up for success in Primary school. 

What Does English Tuition Cover?

English tuition typically focuses on a broader range of language skills, including:

• Grammar: Understanding and applying grammatical rules for sentence structure and punctuation.
• Vocabulary Building: Expanding your child’s word bank and using those words accurately.
• Writing Skills: Learning proper sentence formation, paragraph structure, and composition techniques.
• Conversation Skills: Practicing spoken English and developing fluency.

What Do Phonics Reading Classes Cover?

Reading classes specifically target the development of foundational reading skills:

• Phonics: Learning the relationship between letters and sounds.
• Blending: Learning how to put the sounds together to form words, and different rules that apply.
• Sight words: Learning some common words that cannot be blended.
• Sentence and passage reading fluency: Applying what has been learnt to sentences and passages. 
• Spelling: Applying phonics rules to spelling so that children can hear words and spell them phonetically.

Here is the complete syllabus N2 and K1, K2, and P1 & above. 

To Assess What Your Child Needs: 

Pay close attention to how your child interacts with text. Do they struggle to sound out unfamiliar words? Do they read slowly and hesitantly, or skip over words entirely? If so, these are signs that your child might benefit from a phonics-based reading program. On the other hand, if your child can decode words reasonably well but struggles with grammar, vocabulary usage, or expressing themselves clearly in writing, then general English tuition might be a better fit.

To go further into detail…

Your Child Needs English Tuition If…

They can decode words fairly well but:

• Struggle with grammar rules and sentence structure.
• Have a limited vocabulary that hinders their ability to express themselves clearly.
• Need guidance with writing assignments or struggle to form complex sentences.

Your Child Needs Reading and Phonics Class If…

They:

• Have difficulty sounding out new words or blending sounds together.
• Read slowly and stumble over words, impacting their confidence.
• Struggle to understand the meaning of what they’re reading.

By carefully evaluating your child’s current abilities and identifying their specific needs, you can make an informed decision about whether to enrol them in English tuition or reading and phonics classes. This approach will help ensure that they receive the right support to overcome their reading problems and succeed in their English studies.

Remember, these categories aren’t always clear-cut. Some children might benefit from a combination of both approaches. If you think that your child may need help with reading and phonics, make an appointment to do a free assessment with us today so that we can customise a learning plan to address your child’s specific need today!