Frequently Asked Questions
A Super Foundation that gets better and better with each passing year.
Q1: Why is it important for a child to learn reading at such an early stage?
Empirical studies have shown amazingly that young children can learn to read from as early as three years of age.
Any delays to the commencement of this learning process will deprive the child of the opportunity to experience the joys of reading. In Singapore, there is even greater urgency because many children are able to read even before they enter primary school education.
Our Winning Kids have a head-start and are able to easily assimilate into our well-structured education system. ICL's emphasis on early reading with understanding has also provided our Winning Kids a sense of joy, achievement and self-confidence.
Q2: When is the best time to enrol my child?
To ensure a day and time of your choice, we advise you to register early. We take in registration as early as two years before commencement.
Q3: When can my child start lessons?
Usually by April in the year the child turns 4.
Q4: What is the criterion for entry for the WW5?
The child must be able to recognise or name all the 26 letters in the English alphabet both in the upper and lower cases (ability to write is not necessary).
Q5: What is the duration of each session for the WW5?
One and a half hours per lesson, once a week.
Q6: How soon will the child begin to show an interest in reading?
As early as three months into the programme.
Q7: What is the objective of teaching reading in the WW5?
To instill in the child a desire to read well and to develop creative thinking and critical listening habits.
Q8: Were Winning Kids able to recognize a few simple words even before starting on the programme?
No. Most of them were not able to do so.
Q9: Do you use any particular series of step-readers?
No. We realized that “readers” have limitations. Very often they are confined to simple sentences and the repetition of words in their already short stories. This impedes imagination and expression of ideas.
Q10: Is there a good supply of supplementary reading materials in your foundation programme?
Definitely. We regularly review our catalogue and update our inventory of books.
Q11: How much time do parents have to spend with their children in going through reading activities at home?
Our Winning Parents are advised to spend a few 10-minute sessions daily, going through the assigned reading materials. In general Winning Parents are advised to spend as much time as the child wants, reading or sharing a book with them consistently and on a daily basis.
Q12: How do you define effective reading?
The ability to pick up any reading material or article and read easily with good understanding skill. Our 5 year-olds are eager readers of road signs, brochures, signboards and posters too.
Q13: Do you think phonics alone will get a child to read?
Phonics is used to introduce or draw attention to group(s) of letter sound(s) in words. It alone does not make fantastic readers unless complemented with the teaching of word recognition and the development of good listening and comprehension skills.
Q14: What is application skill?
It is the ability to realize and reflect, discover and appreciate, put into practice or implement what has been imparted. Our Winning Kids learn how to think creatively and listen critically. Their ability to read, comprehend, spell and deliver written ideas is obviously the satisfying expressions of such a skill.
Q15: What other value-added skills do Winning Kids acquire?
Value-added skills include excellent speech intonation, pronunciation or articulation, writing skills, interactive skills and observational skills. The child also acquires qualities such as independence, responsibility, self-confidence, self-motivation and observation.
Q16: How do parents rate teachers of ICL?
Well trained, dedicated, fully committed and effective. A cut above the rest.
Q17: How do parents rate WW5?
Many parents have given feedback that it is very effective because it takes into consideration the individual needs of each child. Most of our students enrol on the strength of an excellent referral from past and present Winning Parents.
Q18: Is this “guaranteed” thing for real?
Our track record since 1994 speaks for itself. We have on file many good testimonials from Winning Parents.
Q19: What are the qualifications of your teachers?
The qualifications of our teachers range from Diploma to Masters. In addition, our teachers have a very high standard of proficiency in the English language.