and there's always an 'if' - the mother is the one with the 'other' language. Since their father is away quite a bit there's no consistency, and the kids tend to switch off most times unless he's bumped into a teaching moment.

we've worked it out that it is possible if 3 of us work together as teachers. DD is quite self-sufficient in both working and her actual attainment level, so she can work fairly independently. She can also learn things by helping her brother - reading to him, talking to him, correcting him (her favourite!). When DH is home he needs to check through their work and work out what comes next. My job is to ensure that any of it actually gets done, which explains why it isn't getting done at the moment. My Chinese is weak to say the least, but I can still manage some pointers for DD and know what she needs to learn mostly. DS is easier of course. I also need to set the time and sit them down and actually force them to do the work I set. Then I need to force DH to take time marking it and going through it with them as well as talking to them.

We bought plenty of materials before we left Singapore so that's not a good excuse. I just need to get them moving. So who's going to get me moving!?!?!

it was noticeable in families where the mother's English was weak that the kids' English would be weaker than their mother tongue. That's why the 'other language' inSingapore schools is referred to as Mother Tongue (whether it's Chinese, Tamil or Malay). Sadly they never really got it when I pointed out that their 'Mother Tongue' was NOT actually Chinese! Sense of humour like the Germans!

Kerri.