How do I know if I really need Economics tuition?
In Singapore, it is rare to meet any student who does not have tuition outside of school. Even the Prime Minister has mentioned how much the tuition industry has impacted the population. Parents would gladly spend a lot of money for their children’s tuition fees because they feel that it is integral to helping them excel in their studies. According to a study by the Department of Statistics on Singapore’s household expenditures in 2008, a whopping $820 million was spent on tuition (centre and home-based). This was a huge increase from the $470 million spend 10 years ago.
For many parents, tuition might be seen as the key ingredient in helping their children score good grades. However, Mr Anthony Fok feels otherwise. He believes that tuition should play a supportive role in a child’s learning journey, but certainly not the main one. Tuition should be seen as a supplementary learning resource for students to clarify their doubts.
What is the difference between H1 Economics and H2 Economics?
H1 and H2 students will take the same class, because the Economics topics and concepts covered are similar for both. Still, there are several small differences in topics, such as Market Structure, Cross Elasticity of Demand, Income Elasticity of Demand, and International Trade.
A larger difference between H1 and H2 Economics can be seen in the examination format. Under H1 Economics, there will be 2 Case Study questions to tackle during the exam. Under H2 Economics, there will be 2 Case Studies and 3 (out of 6) Essay Questions.
Because of the additional topics in H2 Economics, H2 students are required to go for extra payable classes during the June holidays, and the August and September periods. H1 students would not be required to attend or pay for these additional lessons.
How useful are the ten-year-series guides?
Schools have been using the ten-year-series (TYS) guides for over 40 years. The TYS is published annually, and contains the GCE O and A level examination questions from the past 10 years. Some have commented that one can observe trends and patterns in examination questions over the years through using the TYS. However, in recent years, this is less observable and questions seldom repeat themselves. The TYS can be useful in giving students a gauge of how ready they are for their exams as they go through a real past-year paper. At the same time, students should also use other guidebooks that also give a thorough run-through of the syllabus.
Students are encouraged to use the Economics guidebooks which Mr. Anthony Fok has written to help their revision. His titles include pointers for mastering evaluation points, diagrams, summary notes, and model essays.
What are the reasons why many students find Economics challenging?
Nowadays, the GCE A level examinations focus less on the “lower-order thinking skills” like knowledge and comprehension. Students are required instead to show their mastery of “higher-order thinking skills” like application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Simply repeating content from their notes would not help them score high marks in their papers. Students will need to apply the correct Economic concepts to current economic events in the world. They will also need to be able to create a logical argument, drawn from different Economics concepts, and piece different ideas together. Another important point is to be able to evaluate the success of different Economic policies. Lastly, whatever answers students give have to be to-the-point and logical because examiners often lookout for “quality” rather than “quantity”.
One thing students can do is to be aware of what goes on in the world. Students should have a firm knowledge of global Economic news, especially those relating to Singapore’s economy. Economics is a versatile topic, and students should use whatever media there is at their disposal (print or online) to keep themselves up to date with the news. Being able to cite relevant examples from the real world will help to get the examiners’ attention. Aside from having a good grasp of current affairs, students will need to know how to the right economic concepts in different situations.
What makes Mr. Anthony Fok so outstanding?
Mr. Anthony Fok is “one of the five most sought-after tutors in Singapore”, as reported in the 2008 Sunday Times. The article mentions that Mr. Fok is “well known for his ability to deliver results”, which is why “parents try all means to put their child in his class.”
Mr. Fok says “I believe that my popularity as a top Economics tutor in Singapore comes from more than merely imparting Economics knowledge. I motivate the students to love the subject and to look beyond the academic grades. I teach values and life lessons that will be valuable to them even after graduation. I am more than a tutor to the students. I am a friend and a mentor … I help to shorten the learning process and bridge the gap between what was taught in schools and what eventually appears in the national examinations. Students look for me because they want to achieve their ‘A’ grade and I am confident that I can deliver the results they want, as long as they work hard together with me … I enjoy teaching and I am lucky to be able to find great satisfaction in my work.”
How does Mr. Anthony Fok motivate his students?
A lot of Junior College (JC) students do have the motivation to do well in their studies, signing up for tuition classes on their own. They understand the importance of doing well and the need to put in more work in order to score well so that they can be accepted to good universities. Mr. Fok makes it a point to regularly keep in contact with his students and to not just be a tutor, but a friend. During examination periods, he provides his students with encouragement and motivation, listening to their worries and doubts.
Does Mr. Anthony Fok provide H3/ IB Economics tuition?
Mr. Fok only teaches A level H1 and H2 Economics.
Does Mr. Anthony Fok provide one-on-one tuition? Is group tuition regarded as less effective?
No, he does not provide one-on-one tuition. Mr. Fok’s classes are fully booked for group tuitions, and take place at the Bukit Timah and Tampines centers.
Mr. Fok’s lesson plans are effective and comprehensive, whereas some home tutors might not be very experienced or have organized lesson plans. Mr. Fok helps students have a firmer grasp on the Economics contents via encouraging group discussions. This method proves to be effective as evident from the students’ results and testimonials.
Does Mr. Anthony Fok teach at any other locations apart from the Bukit Timah and Tampines centers, does?
No.
Is Mr. Anthony Fok the only teacher?
Yes. Mr. Fok fully teaches all Economics tuition classes, so as to maintain lesson standards. All classes are taught live.
What happens if Mr. Anthony Fok cannot make it for lessons (e.g. reservist or sick)?
The particular lesson will be canceled and rescheduled. There is no relief teacher.
Do you offer trial classes?
Unfortunately, because of the limited spaces available, we are unable to offer trial lessons.
If, though unlikely, a student feels that he/she is not benefitting from the classes, he/she may withdraw after 4 lessons.
Do you have a “waiting list” of students?
The popular timings for JC 2 Economics would normally be fully subscribed by March.
Students who are still keen on taking the class will be put on a waiting list.
Can students ask their own questions in class?
Of course! Any and all types of questions are encouraged in class. Students are also free to arrange individual sessions with Mr. Fok on an ad-hoc basis.
All students will be given Mr. Fok’s personal contact number once they register for his class. If there is a need, students may text him after tuition hours as well for their queries.
What is Mr. Anthony Fok’s track record?
You can view the list of students who have received distinctions in their examinations on the website, which is regularly updated. Do note that Mr. Fok teaches a lot of students, and the sample size is bigger due to them coming from different backgrounds.
Are all the testimonials listed on the website written by Mr. Anthony Fok’s former tuition students?
Yes. The testimonials found on the website are from the students taught by Mr. Anthony Fok. There are also photographs uploaded with the testimonials.
Are we able to look at Mr. Anthony Fok’s certificates?
Yes. They can be physically found at the Bukit Timah tuition center.
How are H1 and H2 Economics students separated?
All students will be in the same class. H2 Economics students, however, will need to pay for and attend extra classes because of the additional topics included in the H2 syllabus. H1 Economics students need not attend these extra classes.
How will the school accommodate me if the topic that is covered during the lesson differs from the topic covered in school?
Because tuition classes are held in groups, students from different schools can be found in the same class. It would not be practical to assume that all the students would be going through the same topic in school at the same time. If students have already learned what Mr. Fok happens to go through during a class, they should still sit in and learn the topic again from a new point of view. They may learn something new. If students have not learned about the topic yet in school, they should also try to learn about it first so that they can have a head-start ahead of their school timetable. Students will probably learn each topic twice, once from their school and once from Mr. Fok. In addition, these students would be practicing more essay topics than others, which would help them be more prepared for these topics.
Are you able to tell us the topics that will appear in this year’s A-level Economics examination? Can you spot questions?
For Mr. Fok, it is important that all the Economics topics are sufficiently covered during his classes. It would not be wise to spot questions. Anyways, no one should know what will be tested in the A-level examinations beforehand. Still, Mr. Fok knows a lot about the questions in past-year papers, as he himself has published the answers for the Economics TYS. This is why he would be able to tell the year in which a specific question has just come out, and how frequently such a question is set. Mr. Fok also keeps himself informed of the newest exam trends and incorporates these into his notes for his students.
Are we guaranteed a distinction?
It would not be practical to promise all students a distinction, because students need to put in the effort themselves too, together with Mr. Fok’s help.
Will Mr. Anthony Fok mark the essays written by me?
Yes. Mr. Fok will mark any additional essays that students write, and provide constructive feedback.
Are the books written by Mr. Anthony Fok a replication of the notes given in Economics tuition classes?
No. The content in Mr. Fok’s books will not be repeated in his lesson notes. It would be advisable for students to buy the guidebooks so that they can revise more effectively.
How are the books written by Mr. Anthony Fok effective for my revision?
Mr. Fok’s Economics book series is targeted at students sitting for the A-level examinations. These titles aim to help students master a variety of skill sets.
For instance, there are books that focus on diagram drawing, writing good evaluations, tips to score for essays and case studies.
It is highly advisable for students to purchase these books and use them to help them in their revision.
Am I able to purchase Mr. Anthony Fok’s Economics notes instead of attending the lessons?
Please note that Mr. Fok’s notes are not for sale. Furthermore, students would not be able to benefit as much from just the notes. The lessons are very important too.
What makes the lessons so special?
Students may visit the website to read the testimonials written by Mr. Fok’s students. This would provide them with a better idea of Mr. Fok’s lessons, as the testimonials are from students who have been taught by Mr. Fok himself.
What additional perks do students attending Mr. Anthony Fok’s lessons get?
- Students are free to stay behind and ask Mr. Fok any questions they might still have after class at no extra charge.
- Students are free to message Mr. Fok after tuition hours if they require extra help, again at no extra charge.
- Students may arrange for ad-hoc sessions with Mr. Fok for personal consultations on weekdays.
- Students can ask for extra notes or revision sets. These include model essays and key concepts to focus on.
How can Mr. Anthony Fok help a student who is weak in economics?
Economics is a subject that is not like Mathematics or Science. To score good marks for Economics, students need to have the correct skill sets that would help them to understand exam questions and craft sound arguments, all within exam conditions.
Some may score badly for Case Studies, as they are not well-versed in current affairs. A number of essay questions are normally related to Singapore’s context, or linked to other countries such as the USA or Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, China, and India. It is important to know enough about these countries in order to write good essays. Hence, Mr. Fok has created unique notes to help his students attain Level 3 marks (L3, the highest marks awarded for a distinction). In order to achieve L3, evaluation and analysis are important. These pointers are included in Mr. Fok’s notes.
I am a JC 2 student whose JC 1 foundation is weak. How is Mr. Anthony Fok able to help me?
During the first lesson, Mr. Fok will personally get to know all the new students and give them tips on how they can best prepare themselves for their examinations. Students will also be given copies of previous lessons’ notes, to help them stay on track. Another solution would be for JC 2 students to join the JC 1 classes so that they can improve on their understanding of the foundation topics.
Are there crash courses for last-minute JC 2 students?
No. There are, however, intensive revision sessions held in December for JC 1 students, to help them with their foundation topics.
Does Mr. Anthony Fok provide additional classes during the June or December holidays?
Yes. Please refer to the “Intensive Revision Programme” and “Case Study Workshop” links on the website.
Is it too late to start attending lessons at any point in time?
As long as the student is determined to put in the effort needed, there will be time to improve his grades. For example, some students attended Mr. Fok’s classes just 3 months before their A-levels. They scored As in Economics. For more information, please refer to the testimonials from Mr. Fok’s students.
Is 1.5 hours of curriculum time a week enough?
Yes, this is enough time to cover the topics in the A-level syllabus. Many students have achieved great results from these 1.5-hour sessions, as it is the quality of the class that matters and not the duration.
Which schools do your students normally come from?
Students taking Mr. Fok’s classes are from many different schools in Singapore. There are also private candidates who are taking their A-levels.
Can I attend a makeup lesson if I can’t attend my allocated lesson slot?
Yes. Students who miss a lesson can join any other class within the week. All classes go through the same content, as long as they are within the same week. The first class is on Saturday and the last on Sunday.
What is the size of the class?
This class size may vary because of students going for make-up classes. However, do note that Mr. Fok is a very capable tutor and receives many tutoring requests from students, as seen from his large classes and ability to help his students ace their examinations. Ultimately, it is the quality of the lesson that matters.
How do I go about signing up?
To register, please SMS the following to 8251 3684:
- Student’s Full Name
- Student’s school
- Selected time slot
A confirmation SMS will be sent upon successful registration.
Are there any placement diagnostic tests?
No. After registration, students are welcome to show Mr. Fok their latest Economics examination scripts. He will review the scripts and give feedback to the students, taking note of their strengths and areas for improvement. When providing examination scripts for review, please use a photocopied version.
How much do I have to pay upon registration?
Students will have to pay monthly fees and a one-time material fee ($120).
Please note that there are no trial lessons. The material fee is non-refundable if the student withdraws before the end of the year. For months with 5 lessons, the fees will be pro-rated.
Where does the $120 one-time material fee go to?
This material fee, to be paid upfront, will be used for the printing of notes and worksheets in the course of the year. This fee is non-refundable if the student withdraws before the end of the year.
Will a receipt be issued upon collection of fees?
Yes. An official receipt is given.
When are the monthly fees normally due?
Fees are due at the start of every month. If the students start classes in the middle of the month, the fees will be pro-rated. Please note that there will be no pro-rating of fees if students miss any class, whatever the reason.
What happens if there are 5 lessons in a particular month?
All programs are based on monthly commitments. For months where there are 5 lessons, the fees will be pro-rated.
What if a student joins during the middle of the month?
For these students, the fees will be pro-rated, looking at the number of remaining lessons in the month of registration.
Are there occasional price revisions?
Should there are changes in fees, parents will be notified at least a month in advance.
What are the various modes of payment you accept?
Payment can only be done via cash or cheque. For cheque payments, do indicate that it is payable to “JC Economics Education Centre Pte Ltd”.
Credit card or NETS payments are not accepted.
In the event of planned absence from class (e.g. due to overseas trips, school camps, or sports competitions), can I seek a refund of tuition fees?
Tuition fees will not be refunded. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule their plans early on and go for makeup lessons within the same week. Should any student be unable to attend a makeup lesson, there will be no refund of fees.
Are there any discounts?
For family members who are previous students of Mr. Fok, there will be a waiver of the $120 material fee. In addition, students who are under MOE’s financial assistance scheme may apply for a discounted fee, but there is no guarantee that the discount will be granted.
Will there be any changes to the class schedule during the year?
The schedule will be fixed for the whole year.
What are your opening hours?
We are only open during lesson hours. For inquiries, please SMS 8251 3684
Am I able to have a personal chat with Mr. Anthony Fok?
Because of Mr. Fok’s busy schedule, he would be unable to speak personally with potential students.
Do contact the administrative staff via SMS for any questions.
I called your number but nobody picked up the call.
Do SMS or Whatsapp your question to the number 8251 3684 instead.
If there are any business proposals for Mr. Anthony Fok. How can we reach out to him?
Do email your brief proposal to [email protected].
How can the local media contact Mr. Anthony Fok for an interview?
Do direct your emails to [email protected].
