Our natural world is a fascinating one, and an excellent way to understand it better is to take Geography. Extending beyond academic achievements, studying Geography provides crucial insights and skills that will last well into adulthood, giving us a deeper appreciation of the world in which we live.
Starting from secondary three, students can opt to take Geography as one of their Humanities subjects, alongside others such as English Literature and History. These subjects foster a stronger connection to the world, and more environmental awareness, enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. If you or your child could use some Geography tuition lessons, we at Private Tutor SG are here to help!
Overview of Our Geography Tutoring Services
Secondary School Geography Tuition
Students are introduced to the basic concepts of Geography from secondary three. From physical geography like climate, weather, and rock formations to human geography like migration and culture, we’ll teach exactly what the Singapore school syllabus requires, and more!
With a key focus on developing interest and building a rock-solid foundation in the subject on which more complex topics can be built, students will learn how to accurately answer questions, craft essays, read maps, and ultimately, prepare for their ‘O’ Level examinations. Regular quizzes, tests, and assignments will also ensure that the student stays on track.
Junior College Geography Tuition
JC Geography will provide students with a more advanced understanding of the subject and improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of the human and natural world, exploring topics like sustainable development, globalization, and environmental management, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world examples of challenges in our modern world.
We’ll hone the analytical skills of each student to effortlessly interpret and analyze data from various sources such as maps, graphs, and statistics. The ultimate goal would be to prepare them for the rigors of the ‘A’ Level examinations and help them not only score the best they can but be happy and motivated to do so.
Geography Exam Preparation
Examinations are a big part of JC life, and the ‘A’ Levels are at the heart of it all. Our tutors work hand-in-hand with their students to identify any gaps in knowledge before moving on to more advanced topics. In addition, practice tests and exams are routinely administered to get the students used to high-stress situations, potentially reducing anxiety, especially when it comes to exam time.
Our extensive range of past-year examinations and test papers from the top schools in Singapore are freely shared among tutors and students, and everyone will have access to the formidable amount of materials we have collectively accumulated.
Our Private Geography Tutors
Our tutors who teach secondary and junior college Geography have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a Geography or Science discipline. Many of those who teach the higher levels also have a post-graduate degree such as a Master’s or PhD.
In addition, the majority of our tutors are MOE or ex-MOE, which means they have a thorough understanding of the rigors of the Singapore syllabus, all the better to help their students thrive in classes and do well in exams. Our tutors are also evaluated based on track records, versatility, and personality traits, and matching students with the ideal teacher is our top priority!
Educational Philosophy and Approach
Our Educational Philosophy and Approach for Geography Tutoring
We pride ourselves in providing all our students with an engaging and supportive environment for them to be their best.
We believe that every student can shine when it comes to Geography. Starting with fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in the world around us, we’ll guide students into applying theoretical knowledge to real-life examples, helping them see the relevance and beauty of the subject.
In addition, we know that not all students learn at the same pace or in the same way, which is why our tutors are trained to develop a customised learning plan for each individual. Students who might struggle to keep up with the school class might do better by taking a step back and focusing on building a stronger foundation, while quicker students could be taught broader and more advanced concepts. In addition, we all learn in different ways, and tutors could apply visual, auditory, or interactive aids to optimise each student’s learning curve.
Why Have Private Geography Tuition
Common Challenges When Learning Geography
Geography is a subject that can be pretty heavy on the theoretical knowledge, which some students might struggle to stay focused on. Pouring over textbooks and papers doesn’t suit the learning styles of all students, and those that are more hands-on might lose focus after a while and have problems absorbing any more input.
A quick solution is to keep each learning experience short and sweet, with plenty of real-life examples and hands-on participation to break up the content monotony of text. For example, handling rocks or playing a “what country is this” type of games could give an interactive spin to purely theoretical lessons.
As a subject, Geography contains numerous facts and figures. Even though the key to succeeding in the subject is understanding it, you’ll still have to retain and recall specific bits of information like dates, numbers and names. Some students might struggle with this, especially when you consider the rest of their workload and numerous other subjects that are also memory-intensive.
You can employ various techniques such as mnemonics, chunking, or mind maps to store, organise, and recall the information when it comes to exam time.
Reading and analyzing maps require strong spatial awareness and unique skills which can be challenging for some students. Just think, we all have a friend that somehow has no sense of direction!
Interpreting topographical maps and understanding the intricate nuances of contours, scales, and symbols can be particularly difficult, which is why practice makes perfect. By constantly reinforcing map reading skills and applying it to real-life field work, tutors can help improve the mathematical and analytical skills of their students, increasing their mastery over Geography.
The school curriculum often doesn’t accommodate for the vastly different learning styles of each individual student. The school teacher follows the syllabus and will teach in in a group setting, which doesn’t give much flexibility to a student that learns different. For example, some students might enjoy intense theory studies but others might prefer visualization or a more hands-on approach.
By catering to each student’s unique learning preferences, a tutor can promote a more thorough understanding and accelerate the student’s learning curve, leading to a greater interest and more efforts put into mastering Geography.