Reflection By Teacher Christina

Having worked with children from age groups 18 months to 6 years, children are my pride and joy. I remember vividly having started out as a playgroup teacher just after obtaining my Diploma in Pre-School Education (Teaching). I was assigned, immediately, to a group of 8 toddlers – most of whom were crying their eyes out on their first week at the centre.

However, one particular child, had a smile on her face despite clinging on to her father. Little Emma Chin (fictitious name), 18 months, although afraid of the unfamiliar surroundings, took to me immediately. When I approached her, she replied, “Teacher, teacher, carry”. Soon, I found out that Emma could hardly speak English as Mandarin and dialects were widely spoken at home. During her educational journey with me that year, she picked-up the English Language fast. Despite my being of non-Chinese ethnicity and speaking English at all times, Emma could understand and follow what was being taught or discussed in class. She stayed with me right through to Nursery 1, where she excelled in English, both written and oral, and finally on to Kindergarten 2. Feedback from her mother, Mrs Chin, “My husband and I, made it a point to converse only in English to our daughter because one fine day, Emma came home from school, giving instructions to us and her grandfather (who spoke only dialects) in English. Both of us were amazed at her use of the Language (both in diction and in grammar)”.

Nurturing Emma with tremendous love, understanding, patience and encouragement (which is crucial in child-development) has provided me with a great sense of achievement. Providing her with ample opportunities to converse in English as well as correcting her verbal mistakes every inch of the way has made Emma a far better child. Her vocabulary has extended through my encouraging her to read English books and allowing her to ask questions at all times. Through the story-telling sessions and the reinforcement as well as the explanation of difficult words has made Emma engross herself in books, whenever possible.

I am very proud to have had a total Chinese-speaking student who is now an eloquent speaker of English through my hard work and encouragement. Emma’s motivation and sheer determination to master a language has left a deep impression on me. She has provided me with lots of encouragement in my years of teaching.

Thank you !! Emma.