Joel Seah
Seventeen-year-old Joel Seah cites the Green Bean community spirit and energy as a key motivator to go there to study and learn. He credits the effective communication between the instructors and students, contributing to the conducive study atmosphere.
Calling himself a "loser" in mathematics before he joined Green Bean, he further remembers that he was impatient, with generally a low self-esteem and lacking in study motivation. He dared to go as far as to state that he had lost a sense of direction in life.
So what changed him after joining the Green community?
"It's a fun, homely and family-oriented environment, (very) motivational," he says. He saw personal improvement in his work in just a month. That boosted his confidence to do better in his other subjects.
All of this "allowed him to dream" of better things, recalled Joel. He went to the centre frequently after school, going in for extra sessions to get that additional help from the tutors. All that work paid off. He obtained 7 A's for his 'O' Levels. Joel also credits the centre's strong influence in building up a more stable emotional side with greater self-control.
Now an accountancy student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Joel periodically helps out (after school) at the centre as an instructor, in a way giving back a measure of what he had gained before, to newcomers at the centre.
And for those considering Green Bean?
"Never go hungry," he says with a grin as there's a snack bar that students can help themselves from.
Tavence Heng
Tavence Heng is 17 now. He joined Green Bean at Secondary 2. At that time he was weak in Algebra, scoring a B4 in his mid-year mathematics. At the centre, by self-motivation and asking the tutors for help, his understanding improved tremendously, allowing him to register an A1 in his final-year examination. He attended evening sessions twice a week.
"The Green Bean instructors are effective, friendly and understanding. The friends I made then also helped me to enjoy my tuition," he said.
Community spirit
Like Joel, the community spirit and bonding has moved him to contribute (after his Singapore Polytechnic classes) as an assistant instructor to help new arrivals at the centre get similar benefits that he experienced before.
"It's worth your time and money," says Tavence. "Your results will reach out beyond your expectations if you put in your best at Green Bean."
Cheong Ke Ming
According to 18-year-old Cheong Ke Ming, Green Bean is unique in providing instructors who cater to individual learning pace and needs. The instructors engage students and help them to critically analyse questions which, in the process, helps to prepare the students' mind for further education.
"Even with a hectic CCA schedule, there was no need to worrry for my examinations as the preparation time was fully covered for by (my time at) Green Bean," said Ke Ming. He had joined the centre in 2005 for help in two subjects: elementary mathematics and additional mathematics. He got A1's for both in his 'O' Levels in 2007.
One of the things you learn at the centre is "the significance of education in one's life", says Ke Ming. He said that one gains a "better awareness" of our "meritocratic society".
His attendance at the centre running up to his 'O' Levels had ranged from once a month (due to CCA commitments) to three or four times a week as it got closer to the examination seasons. Each tuition session could last two hours.
Advantages of Green Bean
The warm atmosphere is conducive for study and friendly competition between peers. "It's a marketplace for one to meet new people while preparing for the 'O' Levels," said Ke Ming who is now at JJC. He also helps out at the centre as an assistant instructor.
Ke Ming observed with a chuckle: "If you hate flexible timeslots, enjoy the thrill of being unprepared for examinations, do not want tutors to cater to your learning pace, and absolutely detest having refreshments at no cost in the midst of tuition, Green Bean is
not for you."
Rachel Tan
Rachel Tan used to fail additional mathematics frequently. Her mediocre understanding of the concepts improved after she joined Green Bean. She credits that to her finally passing the subject at her 'O' Levels in 2005.
Now 20 and pursuing a business degree at SIM University, she helps out with the centre's administrative needs.
Changed approach to mathematics
"I used to have an inflexible approach to problems," she said. At the centre, she learned that mathematics is not that difficult. "It doesn't have to be all work and no play. It can be fun!" she says.
Green Bean changed her negative perspective of mathematics into a positive one.
"Come with an open mind...you'll learn more than you know," says Rachel.
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