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Beyond drill practice: How curiosity-driven learning clinched gold for math olympian
Kangaroo Learning Centre’s innovative teaching method guides 14-year-old to medal, leading Singapore to its best International Mathematical Olympiad result in nearly a decade
Singapore placed sixth at the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad thanks to the efforts of Yang Yihan (centre) and his teammates. PHOTO: KANGAROO LEARNING CENTRE
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While athletes celebrated their wins at the Paris 2024 Olympics last week, another group of Singaporeans savoured their own world-class triumph.
At the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in the UK city of Bath, these teenage math whizzes secured one gold and five silver medals, placing the nation sixth globally – its best IMO performance in eight years.
Leading this triumph is 14-year-old Yang Yihan from Raffles Institution, who clinched the team's sole gold medal. A first-time IMO competitor, Yihan honed his skills at Kangaroo Learning Centre, an enrichment centre that readied him for this prestigious mathematical challenge.
His tutor Cao Kenan, also the centre’s headmaster, says: “As the youngest member of the national team, Yihan has faced his share of setbacks and near misses. Yet, his unwavering growth is what stands out the most. This result is truly a culmination of our efforts.”
A different approach to problem-solving
Though new to Singapore’s competitive private education landscape, Kangaroo Learning Centre has made its mark by implementing several distinct features.
“Compared with countries where drill practice is the norm, we’ve chosen a different path,” explains Mr Cao. “Our approach is simple: interest leads to understanding, which results in problem-solving ability.
“We spark curiosity through interactive questioning, igniting a joy for mathematics. Carefully chosen examples help students grasp underlying principles, making problem-solving almost intuitive.”
The centre’s curriculum covers four key areas: Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), Gifted Education Programme (GEP), Primary Olympiad Math and Secondary Math education. Specialised teams ensure comprehensive coverage of required knowledge points.
Primary supervisor Cui Jiaming highlights two other features: pre- and post-class testing, and a dual-teacher system.
“We begin and end each lesson with tests,” says Mr Cui. “This ensures mastery of previous content and understanding of new material. Students have to correct their mistakes before leaving, with teachers often extending classes to address every question patiently.”
The dual-teacher setup further enhances learning. “While the main teacher leads the lesson, a teaching assistant provides real-time updates to parents and manages live classroom broadcasts. This ensures good support for each student’s learning journey,” Mr Cui adds.
Adapting foreign methods for Singaporean students
The centre’s journey in Singapore began in 2022, backed by the experience of its parent company, Fangtian Education, which trains over 100,000 students annually in China.
However, its management soon discovered that success in China did not guarantee an easy start abroad.
The first big task was turning their Chinese materials into engaging lessons for English-speaking students. It was not just about translation, they had to make sure the content complemented the Singapore education system.
Finding the right teachers who could bring their teaching approach to life in the classroom was another challenge.
Despite these hurdles, the teaching team has worked hard to blend their methods with what works best for Singaporean students.
Parents praise students’ growing math skills
Its commitment to nurturing genuine understanding and enjoyment of mathematics has resonated with many families.
Parents have reported improvements in their children’s math skills, interest and confidence.
Mrs Faye Shi, whose Primary 3 son attends the centre, says: “I’ve had the chance to observe some classes, as the centre encourages parents to sit in. It has been eye opening and I’ve even found myself learning alongside my son. This has been helpful when supporting his studies at home.
“The lessons are well-structured and engaging, with plenty of interaction. I am quite pleased with the level of attention and care the teachers provide. It is clear they’re committed to helping each child.”
A track record of excellence
Kangaroo Learning Centre's students have performed well in national and international mathematics competitions. Here is a snapshot of their key achievements in recent years:
Lower Primary:
- 75 per cent of Primary 3 students advanced to the second round of the GEP selection
- 25 per cent successfully entered the GEP class
Upper Primary:
- 2022: One student was selected for the International Mathematical and Science Olympiad (IMSO) training team, representing Singapore and winning first place
- 2023: All 15 Explorer class students won gold medals in the National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore (NMOS), with five placing in the top 30 and two in the top 20
- 2024 Raffles Mathematical Olympiad (RMO):
- Primary 5: 10 students from the Explorer class took part in the competition. Of these, eight students received High Distinction awards, while four students advanced to the second round
- Primary 6: Nine students advanced to second round
Secondary:
- 2024 Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) Junior:
- All 19 Explorer class students advanced to the second round, achieving a 100 per cent pass rate
- 10 students placed in the top 30, while three students distinguished themselves further by ranking within the top 10
- 16 students were selected for the Junior Training Team
Kangaroo Learning Centre has begun conducting its Term III classes, but registration is open for Term IV and next year’s Term I classes.
For those interested in its courses, materials or lesson options, click here for more information. Or, reach out via WhatsApp at 8190 5153.
