Past Pear Tree Beneficiaries
The testimonials are from students who have benefitted from the regular English Language courses at The Pear Tree in the past, the students and teachers who were involved in our Founder's research on The Literature-Driven English Curriculum and from students and teachers who had participated in our various workshops. Only a select number of testimonials are printed because of space constraints.
Regular Classes
Navin
`I found the class very good. I improved in my vocabulary and grammar. My grades have improved too. The class is a small group, so it is very useful.'
Darwin
`I have learnt how to use imagery and how to analyse passages better. This helps me in my comprehension as it teaches me how to find contextual clues to derive () the answer. Other than that, it also teaches me how to write and think critically so that I know how to write better for my Reader's Response. Last but not least, I was taught how to appreciate poems and how to write a good poem using language devices and varying of sentence structure.'
Students' Workshops
Thomas
`I enjoyed the two lessons on oral. I was able to learn... about variation of tone, pauses, emphasis, etc... This course had not only helped me in my oral examinations but in my speech too. I never really got a chance to learn how to write and say a speech. I am interested in speeches now after watching some videos of people making speeches like Martin Luther King. Overall, this course helped a lot and it is 100% worth it.’
Nicholas
`The lesson was helpful as it teaches you how to write a summary and even before you write a summary, what must you do. The different methods that was (sic) taught would be helpful for my examination so that I can write a good summary. Overall this workshop is good and helpful.’
Maithily
`Now, I know how to answer question I don’t know how to answer. Learnt contextual clues. Thank you, Teacher. ’
Ignacio
`I like the Grammar workshop because I can do a lot of things like underlining the words that are wrong and I love to watch the movie... I learnt... sentence structure, tenses, punctuation.'
Amanda
`I feel that the course was very beneficial. Although it was pretty awkward at the start of the lesson, I become more open to the class. I was also able to pick up some good tips on oral that can be of great help to me for my oral.’
Joshua
`The class was very helpful as I learnt how to properly answer comprehension questions by discerning from the contextual clues.’
Teachers' Workshops and Seminar
Workshop on 'Action Research' conducted in Singapore
`Dr Pereira herself has done research – so it was from a practitioner’s point of view. Dr Pereira is knowledgeable in the field of research and with our local education scene as well. Able to elaborate and give examples – helped clarifying and made the content clear.’
`Lots of interaction between participant and instructor. Questions are answered well. Hands on + discussions on research questions helped to clarify many doubts.’
`Small size!’
Workshop on `Student Profiling and Instructional Strategies' conducted in India
`This is useful to motivate the teacher who is ready to change the existing methodology and their teaching styles.'
`This seminar gives new ideas about different teaching aids, modes of learning techniques, presentation of a concept before the students based on their individual differences.'
`This seminar helps me to teach in an interesting way. Instead of lecture notes tackle the students with a new method. It also helps (us learn how) to teach the... new generation'
Research Participants from the research on the Literature- Driven English Curriculum created by Dr Pereira
Male students from Class 11, School 2
Student 1: Understanding was strengthened because of this discussion we did.
Student 2: Also the presentation and group work, it somehow makes us improve in
our oral presentation skills when we present our work in front of the class.
Student 3: At the same time also, it lets us share our views so we understand better.
Female student from Class 20, School 3
`I think like we learn better, as in, the things get screwed, stick in your brain longer.’
Male student from Class 8, School 1
`I learnt that it was not just quantity but quality of the work… even though the sentences are shorter but they have a greater impact on the person that’s reading it.'
Teacher G, School 2
`(The programme) managed to convey to the students how the changes in the structures will change the focus or emphasis of the narrative writing, so they were aware of it.’
Teacher M, School 4
`The one I remember most clearly is the activity where they had to change Lenny’s character and situation based on the story, so he is no longer, you know, the way he is. They had to change him completely and see how it affected the rest of the story and it was fantastic, they enjoyed it completely and they did a really good job of twisting him around, so that was fun.’