How do languages & maths help kids learn

Languages and numbers are what help us to communicate and solve problems in life. It’s always useful to be able to speak more than just your mother tongue language and have good proficiency in numeracy. That’s why The Grange Institution (TGI) puts a strong emphasis on setting a foundation in the teaching and learning of a foreign language and Singapore maths heuristics. We hear more from students and parents.

Three language options at The Grange

In addition to Cambridge Primary English used in its core curriculum, TGI offers Languages as one of its specialist subjects. This forms part of a student’s holistic learning at TGI, blending academics with arts, languages, technology, music and physical education.

There are three language options for students, namely:

• Mandarin Foreign Language: Available to any student whose native language is not Mandarin.
• Japanese Mother Tongue Language: For students who have native Japanese language competency.
• Additional English Language: Suggested students who require additional support in mastering the English language.

Hear from a student and parent – Mandarin Foreign Language

“Ms Chen makes lessons very fun. We have interesting activities like calligraphy. When I am ordering food, I can now give my order in Chinese and communicate with the stall owner.”
– Lin Htet, Year 3 student

“We wanted Lin Htet to learn another language other than English; we aren’t Chinese native speakers and can’t even communicate with basic Chinese. Lin Htet has been learning Mandarin as a foreign language since Year 1. The school staff are very supportive of non-native students. For example, they sign students up for competitions. Our son was overall champion of the inaugural Chinese Language Festival 2020/21, winning three out of four categories. It surprised us!”
– Lin Aung, father

Hear from a student and parent – Japanese Mother Tongue Language

“I like the fun activities and games in class. Being able to speak Japanese lets me communicate with Japanese friends in Singapore and call my grandparents in Japan.”
– Yuna Anais Grilo Suda, Year 3 student

“I’m Japanese and Yuna’s father is French so we speak English at home. When learning a language, it’s important to use it often and daily. Singapore is a non-Japanese speaking country so there’s less chance to hear and use Japanese. The Japanese teacher at school patiently teaches Yuna; Japanese is a difficult language for writing as we use three types of characters and you need to learn them all – Kanji is the most difficult as the same Kanji can be pronounced differently. Yuna’s Japanese in speaking, reading and writing is now surprisingly good!”
– Tomoko Suda, mother

Hear from a student and parent – Additional English Language

“I like the worksheets given by the teacher, especially during activities such as cut and paste. It was very fun to learn vocabulary in this way.”
– Kanta Sakashita, Year 2 student

“Kanta has been taking Additional English Language (AEL) since Year 1; after his first interview with the Principal, he was advised to take AEL as his standard of English is not high. During lessons, the teacher phrases the questions differently. This allows Kanta to understand easily so that he can answer to the best of his ability, thus improving his standard of English.”
– Emiko Sakashita, mother

Maths heuristics encourages learning

Singapore students are known worldwide for being able to apply mathematical theories and building on concepts for solving problems. However, Singapore maths is also known for its rigour – it is demanding and relies heavily on mastery of the material.

The Grange applies a balanced approach to the teaching and learning of maths; teachers at the school have been specifically training since June 2021 to incorporate maths heuristics – strategies for solving problems – into their teaching. The intention is to complement and enhance the quality of Cambridge maths that TGI is providing to students. The combined approach allows students to develop an understanding of how to apply different strategies to solve complex problems, at the same time removing the need for hours of drilling and homework and gives students the joy of learning maths.

Find out more

Keen to grow your child’s interest in languages and maths at The Grange Institution Primary? Enrolment for 2022 is now open; head to thegrange.edu.sg to book a school tour.

Written in collaboration with:
The Grange Institution Primary
thegrange.edu.sg

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Patricea Chow

Having lived 10 years abroad, Patricea has been rediscovering Singapore through fun events, street photography, and museum tours. She’s also partial to reading, education, spending time with family and kids, and armchair travelling.