Affordable alternatives to ESF

[testuser]

Rumor has it that there are indeed some alternatives to for parents who find ESF expensive or are unable to get their kids into one of the ESF schools.

So, what are the alternatives for parents who want a decent and affordable English language education for their kids. CMI (Chinese Medium of Instruction) schools are not for everyone - even for us who consider Hong Kong home, the cultural and language differences would be too much of a strain on both parents and kids.

What do you think of the schools that are listed here:

EDB - Education for Non-Chinese Speaking Children

 

[penguinsix]

We were steered toward a few "direct subsidy" schools that were primarily English instruction when it looked like the International Schools would be full up, but we didn't pursue once we got some offers. We spoke to some teachers who said the level of instruction at the direct subsidy schools was quite good and that it was something we should consider.

 

[testuser]

Penguinsix - Thanks.

DBS for example is considered one of the better DSS schools.

Admissions Link - Diocesan Boys' School Primary Division

 

[howardcoombs]

With 3 kids in a multilingual environment, I can tell you honestly that the stress is not on the kids but rather on the parents. But the end result is well worth it IMO.

As alternatives to ESF, I can offer these schools that I have personally visited and can recommend. I would be happy to send my kids to any of these:
1) KCIS : Kiangsu - Chekiang International Sections (I have 1 kid here currently)
2) Marymount : Welcome to the Marymount Secondary School Web Site
3) St Pauls Convent : Spcspr Home
4) Bellios : Belilios Public School

HC

 

[happyflipper]

HC

My son got an offer from KCIS last year for K1 but it came so late (31 August) that I asked them to defer for another year as I had already paid a deposit for ESF.
Now they are offering me a place in K2 but I am hesitant about changing from ESF since my little one is settled there.
Can you tell me more about the KCIS kindergarten program and how different it is from ESF?
Will the kindy kids go to KCIS primary after K2?
How much time do they spend teaching Mandarin in class each week?
Do they children also learn Cantonese or not?
How are the teachers and turnover ratio?

My son is a slow speaker and I am focusing on just English to get him talking more. Just worried that the many languages taught at KCIS may further confused him and whether the program is geared for more bilingual children who is able to cope with the languages.

Thanks

 

[howardcoombs]

I'm sorry, I'm unable to give you good answers about the early years at KCIS; this is due to my inexperience with Kindergarten at KCIS. I sent my kids to a Cantonese kindergarten and then to KCS for primary school where they became fluent in Mandarin. One of my kids was not happy at KCS (mandarin was getting too hard) so we pulled her out of KCS and put her into KCIS.

Your best bet is to pay them a visit; the teachers and the head mistress are very friendly and open.
HC