Question 1

Is there a short cut to learning mathematical concepts?

Accepted Answer

Heard of a place that promises quick results and special short-cut methods that can solve all problems? These are often marketing tactics that are used to draw parents who are looking for quick-fix to improve their child's results. 
Since 1997, the PSLE has been revamped to test pupil's ability to think and apply their knowledge in non-routine situations. Shortly after, in 2002, Singapore also revamped the way O level questions are tested, paving the way for pupils to become critical thinkers. Developing a child's concepts and understanding is a process. That is why we create learning experiences to help pupils develop their understanding of these concepts. Once they have a thorough understanding, they can apply their understanding across problems of varying breadth and depth. Most importantly, this approach cuts across our primary and secondary sections, which explains the very high distinction rate across our pupils.

Question 2

Why are we a Math specialist school?

Accepted Answer

Ammiel Wan Academy is formed by a team of MOE specialists who were former VP, HOD and Math curriculum specialists. Besides the numerous professional awards won by our specialists during their time in MOE, we have in total more than 20 years of experience in training many HODs and school teachers. Till today, we are still actively training teachers and providing consultation to schools in curriculum design.
At Ammiel Wan Academy, our qualifications and credentials are clearly displayed. You can find out about the background of our teachers and their relevant experiences. If they have held these official positions (VP, HOD etc) in schools before, there will be actual certifications and credentials from MOE. That explains why many of the professionals (doctors, lawyers, school leaders & teachers) entrust their children to us.

Question 3

Why do we train school teachers and not tutors?

Accepted Answer

Good education, in the first place, should not be reserved only for the privilege. That is why in Ammiel Wan Academy, we make it our mission to equip school teachers. An effective teacher can influence 40 pupils. An effective HOD can influence the entire school. Hence, we believe that an effective teacher is key to education reform.
 Our resources are written for school teachers and parents to coach their children. Each series is birthed out of a certain teaching pedagogy that has years of research and testing carried out before the series is written. While many can write an assessment book by compiling exam questions under topics or by level of difficulties, our resources are different in structure and tailored for specific uses. All answers to our resources are clearly displayed in the books. Pupils are not required to log in to any website and give their personal particulars for marketing purposes.

Question 4

Do we endorse other centres to use our methods?

Accepted Answer

To-date, there is not a professional body in Singapore that can endorse others. Likewise, the methods created by us in the earlier days have now become norms of solving in national examinations. Through our extensive training to school teachers , our methods and approaches have spread far and wide to majority of Singapore schools today. What sets us apart from others is our ability to train pupils to think deeper. As the creator of these Math concepts, we can explain how the concepts are formed and teach these concepts effectively.

Question 5

Why is it important to be MOE registered?

Accepted Answer

To be MOE registered, there are many criteria to be met. Beside the physical aspects of the venues, MOE will run a stringent background check of our teachers to check their professional background, qualifications and credentials. In Ammiel Wan Academy, we recognise that we are influencing the leaders of tomorrow. As such, beyond the academic excellence, care and professionalism expected of our trainers, MOE expects our trainers to uphold the integrity that is expected of a teacher at the highest level. That explains why we do not advertise for any individual to join us. We will usually run many background checks on an individual before inviting them to join us.

Question 6

Do we select only high ability pupils?

Accepted Answer

As curriculum creators, we design our programmes to suit pupils of different abilities. Classes are streamed (GEP/HA vs Normal and IP vs O level) and parents are often surprised by the astonishing results by the different classes, especially the weaker ones although they could be doing worksheets of a different nature. This is the demonstration of "Teach less , Learn more" in action. Top pupils are stretched in their thinking and developed their concepts in depth while weaker pupils learn how these concepts are formed in breath.

Question 7

Does we teach any special method that can solve all problems within 5 minutes?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, methods presented must be mathematically sound and contextually accurate. Regardless of the methods used, the numbers must represent the story accurately. In the examinations, the child is expected to know an array of heuristics (methods). No one single method can solve all problems. Problems are not categorised by methods or even concepts (which are often hidden). Hence, @ Ammiel Wan Academy, the focus is on the Read Write Strategy, one which we have been sharing with HODs in schools. Through this strategy, pupils learn to understand and translate the context, develop the concepts and select the appropriate methods. More can be found from the research and literature that we have placed in our website.

Question 8

If my child is in the IP program, are the courses at Ammiel Wan Academy suitable for him/her?"

Accepted Answer

Ammiel Wan Academy is a specialist school. Lessons are designed to teach the child the concepts, explore the meanings behind these concepts before showing them the appropriate methods. Questions are designed in a scaffolded manner to help them develop their understanding instead of just going through pure practices. Our IP classes consist mainly of pupils from  SNGS, CHS, NYGH, RI, RGS, NJC, Cedar and Victoria.

Question 9

Why do we not advertise individual performances of our pupils despite such excellent results?

Accepted Answer

While we share the joy of our pupils consistently, we also remember the saying that “it takes a village to raise a child.” That is why we always encourage our pupils to show appreciation to their parents and school teachers upon their result release.