About MandarinStars
MandarinStars offers Chinese tuition to students in mainstream MOE schools who may be struggling because of poor working memory, dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, or dealing with issues related to low self-esteem or confidence, and others.
Informed by insights from psychological and educational research, we provide a student-centered learning environment that is customised to the needs of individual students and offered in small class sizes of 6 or less.
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We first assess students to identify any underlying learning disorders and then group them in the right learning environment with teachers trained to use customised materials for students struggling to learn because of ADHD, dyslexia or poor working memory.
Lessons are scaffolded, which refers to how we break down learning objectives into small bite-sized chunks which is easier for students to grasp. Lessons come alive through creative worksheets and teaching methods that get students to read, hear, see and do.
These methods are proven and effective in helping students improve their Chinese learning ability based on results that we have achieved in the past.
MandarinStars was started by Frances Yeo, a psychologist with over 20 years’ experience, together with a core team of teachers and curriculum writers, to address a gap in providing educational services for students who are struggling to cope in mainstream schools due to hidden handicaps like an undiagnosed learning disorder, poor working memory or childhood esteem issues.
智多星教育中心
Effective, Student-Centred Education
In one inspiring story, Frances Yeo, MandarinStars Founder, recounts how a P6 student with a strong aversion to Chinese was reluctantly signed up for a trial class by his mother. After attending just one lesson, he asked for more classes!
He enjoyed the lesson because the teacher was able to hold his attention and made the learning fun. “Now when I see those words, I see the pictures that Teacher showed me and that helps me remember.”
“We have seen students grow in confidence as they master new words and enjoy learning again. That gives us great joy.” – Loo Ping, MandarinStars.
Small Class Sizes
Classes are kept small – no more than 6 students per class. This way, teachers can match the pace to suit students’ ability to grasp the material, slowing down and even repeating when needed.
Creatively Engaging Students
Research shows learning is more effective when more parts of the brain is engaged. Using such insights, we creatively use customised materials and teaching methods that get students to learn by seeing and doing.
>30
Combined years of teaching experience
>2,000
customised worksheets developed for P1 to P6
>22
years experience in psychology and paediatric psychological testing
>8,000
diagnostic tests administered for learning disorders, ADHD, autism, intellectual impairment and others.
Student-Centred Classrooms
We help students learn by first understanding their challenges and then customising the learning environment to their needs.
Matched To Each Student’s Abilities
Students may struggle with learning Chinese for many reasons. We first assess the student’s ability in the subject and then teach at a pace where they can absorb the lesson.
Chinese Learning
Made Fun
Many students dread Chinese because of the rote learning. We work hard at teaching Chinese in creative new ways. By making lessons more engaging, the student is more likely to retain and remember the words.
Scaffolded Learning
We scaffold by breaking down the lesson into many smaller parts that are introduced to the student in a structured way before the learning is reinforced by active learning actions.
Building Confidence First
By helping students make small gains, we build their confidence and overcome any fear of Chinese. Confidence allows students to express their instinctive curiousity to learn and opens up the mind to learning.
Customised Learning Materials
Our teachers proactively plan and teach MOE curriculum using teaching strategies and exclusive MandarinStars materials developed by our in-house curriculum team. We may modify the content to suit the student’s interests so they engage more readily with the lesson.
Aligned With MOE Syllabus
We teach reading, vocabulary, spelling, comprehension and essay writing according to school textbooks. Lessons cover the components tested in schools such as listening comprehension, oral, language use, combining sentences, reading comprehension, and composition (作文).
Meet The Team
About Frances Yeo
- Psychologist of 22 years’ experience.
- Trained in peer-reviewed and medically proven techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), and schema therapy.
- Specializes in diagnostic assessments and providing psychological support for children, teens and families.
- Well known in Singapore for her expertise in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum, learning disorders, depression, anxiety and esteem issues.
- Frances has helped many children through accurate testing and evaluation using standardized cognitive and academic tests, and regularly engages with teachers and schools to implement holistic treatment programs.
Career Highlights
- Graduated with B Soc. Sc. Psychology, from the University of New South Wales.
- Obtained MA. Psychology from the University of Sydney.
- Registered Psychologist (Singapore). Full Member of Singapore Psychological Society, Australian Psychological Society.
- Started career at Singapore Prison Service and worked there for 2 years.
- Principal Psychologist, in charge of a team of eight psychologists, at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) where she worked for 7 years.
- Collaborated with Healthway Medical Group to establish The Child Developmental Centre Clinic at Novena, an integrated child development and allied health services centre with 22 clinicians and early intervention teachers for 5 years.
- Collaborated with Thomson Medical Centre to provide psychological services, which eventually led to co-founding Thomson Kids Specialised Learning, a centre dedicated to helping students with learning difficulties through structured educational programs derived from evidence-based interventions.
- Started MandarinStars together with core group of teachers and curriculum writers in July 2023.
- A working mother of 3 kids each with their unique strengths and challenges.
“I take great joy in my work, knowing that we help students who may otherwise slip through the cracks. It is very rewarding to see once struggling students grow into confident learners.”
- Chinese teacher and curriculum writer with over 10 years’ experience.
- Graduated with a diploma in Chinese Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Chinese from Nanyang Technological University.
- Started her career as a Chinese teacher at well-known and established enrichment centers like HCL Education Centre, where she developed a passion for curriculum writing.
- Led her to venture into developing curriculum at The Learning Lab-Xin Zhong Wen as a segment-lead.
- Continuing her journey in educational innovation, Loo Peng’s expertise in curriculum development expanded further as she joined esteemed organizations such as Edoovo, LingoAce, and Thomson Kids.
- Performs a key role in developing curriculum frameworks and custom-creating teaching materials to effectively meet different learning styles.
“Any student can reach their highest potential if they can persevere and work hard while learning in a systematic and multi-sensory instructional approach. I help my students work towards independent learning by equipping them with learning strategies. I feel a strong sense of satisfaction when students gain self-confidence and grow in resilience in facing learning challenges.”
- Senior Specialist Teacher with over 10 years’ experience providing Chinese Language intervention for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) since 2012
- Graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies (Honours).
- Obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Chinese Language, Primary Level), and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Language and Literature from National Institute of Education (NIE).
- Started her career as a MOE Chinese language primary school teacher, where her experiences included numerous students who struggle to learn Chinese using the traditional method of teaching.
- Furthered her studies in the field of special education and attained a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs under the University of South Wales and the DAS Academy
- Qualified trainer with the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) by the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ).
- Joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) in 2012 and was a Senior Educational Therapist, trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach for both teaching English and Chinese language.
- Core team member of the DAS Chinese curriculum team, involved in developing the Chinese curriculum, conducting research related to Dyslexia and the learning of the Chinese Language, as well as mentoring new Educational Therapists.
- Part of the first Thomson Kids team that started the first intervention style Chinese tuition that teachers MOE curriculum to help students struggling with learning Chinese.
“Teaching brings me the greatest joy when I see my students overcome their learning challenges. I believe that each student is unique in their own way, and I strive to support them in discovering their fullest potential through lessons with engaging activities. I love seeing my students enjoy the process of learning Chinese.”
- Specialist Teacher with years of experience in teaching Chinese.
- Obtained a Diploma with Merit in Chinese Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (First Class Honours), and Master of Arts in Chinese from Nanyang Technological University.
- Teacher at Xin Zhong Wen (The Learning Lab’s Chinese department) from Preschool to Primary.
- Joined online learning platform, LingoAce, and conducted online lessons using various digital teaching tools.
- Well understands the challenges (and frustrations) students face when learning Chinese.
- Passionate about supporting students as they endeavour to discover their learning potential.
- Uses various teaching methods to create an effective and interactive learning environment, such as incorporating multi-sensory activities into lessons.
- Part of the first Thomson Kids team that started the first intervention style Chinese tuition that teachers MOE curriculum to help students struggling with learning Chinese.
- Senior Educational Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience in child and educational psychology
- Obtained a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) at the National University of Singapore and Master of Arts (Applied Psychology) Programme with Distinction from NTU.
- Registered Education Psychologist with the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP)
- Extensive experience working with children on a wide spectrum of issues including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental delays, speech and language delays, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders and selective mutism.
- Experienced with treating social-emotional issues such as school refusal, anger, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, poor confidence and emotional dysregulation.
- Keen interest in early intervention, home-school partnership and parenting, partnering parents, caregivers and teachers alike and imparting to them the knowledge, skills and strategies to better understand and address their children’s developmental needs.
- Advocates holistic intervention plans that addresses the root cause of children’s challenging behaviours, with healthy relationships between parents, teachers and children as a foundation for positive behavioural change.
- Extensive expertise in Functional Behaviour Analysis (FBA) and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and has trained teachers in both areas to help them manage behavioural challenges in the classroom.
- Accredited Facilitator for Signposts for Building Better Behaviour Programme since 2012, training and equipping parents with the necessary skills to manage challenging behaviour at home.
- Developed Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) Centres to Special Education (SPED) Schools and private clinics.
- Initiated, developed and implemented the first social integration project with a mainstream primary school and has presented her works at the MOE SPED Learning Day as well as the IASSID Europe Regional Congress Conference in Vienna in 2014.
- Most recently Deputy Head and represented in various professional consultations at ministry level, such as the Professional Practice Guidelines used by MOE for psych-educational assessment and placement of students with special educational needs.
“Every student has the potential to succeed. With the right support and guidance, I believe every child can unlock their abilities and I strive to help them thrive in their learning journey.”
- Specialist Remedial Teacher with over 5 years of dedicated experience in providing remedial education to students with diverse learning needs.
- With a profound passion for inclusive education, Shyan has interest in supporting students who may face challenges such as poor working memory, dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, low self-esteem, or confidence issues.
- Graduated from Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia with a Bachelor of Teaching Programme in Remedial Education for Primary Education (First Class Honors).
- Started her career as a MOE Malaysia Primary School Remedial Teacher, teaching numerous students who struggle to learn.
- Furthered her studies in Master of Education and attained a Master Degree (First Class Honors) in Educational Administration from The National University of Malaysia (UKM).
- Chinese Teacher at You Cheng Education Centre from Preschool to Secondary and conducted Chinese lessons with small-sized class.
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