any technics for ESF interview?
- Thread starter corawong
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thundacatchergo
Registered User
we got one too.
I'm not sure I understand your question. Is your ESF interview letter for ESF Kindergarten or is it for ESF Primary. From what I've heard, the "interview" for ESF kindergarten is merely pro-forma and is mainly to establish that your child is a native Eng speaker and does not have any learning disabilities that the school may be unable to cope with. On the other hand, an ESF Primary 1 interview will involve more "interviewing" (ie. questions directed at the child etc.)
While both interviews are done in a group format, parents are allowed to accompany the child for the kindergarten interview but for the P-1, I believe the children have to go at it alone.
Hope this helps.
While both interviews are done in a group format, parents are allowed to accompany the child for the kindergarten interview but for the P-1, I believe the children have to go at it alone.
Hope this helps.
Konradsmom
Registered User
if its for ESF kinder, then kids and parents will go into a classroom where the teachers will assess the children's english capabilities and observe them in a classroom environment. Altho no mandatory to go alone, there is a part where the parents are invited to tour the school and the kids have to stay in the classroom - in some cases both parents went out and the kid is alone, in some cases one parent remains with the child. Because they stress that ESF teaches in English, I note that kids who don't speak English well may not be able to get in. But rest assured its all very informal and relaxed.
Even the Primary 1 interview is also just to establish that the child has sufficient English to cope with an ESF school and no special needs that the school cannot handle, so definitely not going to be a problem if you are a native English speaker. At the parents' info session that I went to regarding the Primary 1 interviews, the school said not to coach your child, not to bribe your child (eg if you do well, I'll buy you XXX) and not to dress them up in a suit.
You went to Glenealy? I had never heard of those information evenings. My daughter's school doesn't do them, but my friend told me about hers this week!
ESF is fairly informal (checking level of English and social skills) however, with the huge waiting lists at these moments, they can be slightly more picky. But on the other hand, ESF does cater for a wide range of individual and special needs and the mix is usually very good. They're not looking specifically for children who can already read and write, etc.
joyofliving
Registered User
How do they establish in kindergarten interview that the child has good English? Some children aren't incredibly chatty, even when asked a question they are shy and reluctant to answer.
Yes, the parent's info session for Glenealy was on Tues night. The whole process is very transparent and they even showed a slide show of what would happen in a typical interview.
They told us they are basically looking at receptive and expressive English skills and readiness to start Primary 1. But even those who are not ready to start are usually reconsidered in the next year, so it's not usually an outright rejection because they recognise that some children (they said especially boys, first-born and born in Nov/Dec) need more time to mature. They also explained the lengths they will go to to get a language sample (usually a visit to the kindie to see the child in his/her usual setting) because some children won't say a single word at the interview.
They told us they are basically looking at receptive and expressive English skills and readiness to start Primary 1. But even those who are not ready to start are usually reconsidered in the next year, so it's not usually an outright rejection because they recognise that some children (they said especially boys, first-born and born in Nov/Dec) need more time to mature. They also explained the lengths they will go to to get a language sample (usually a visit to the kindie to see the child in his/her usual setting) because some children won't say a single word at the interview.
mazamarie
Registered User
Geomum- I think it would actual come down to just understanding what is said rather than speaking it if the child is not very verbal at that stage. We had an interview just before Christmas for ESF kindy as we are away for the original interview date. The interview was just the teacher aid playing and interacting with my daughter and making sure she could comprehend what she was being asked to do. ie can you please give me a animal etc.
I agree that for ESF kindies, it's not always easy to establish their expressive English abilities but even if the child is shy, their level of English comprehension should be apparent after a certain amount of observation time. Given that they will be in the room for some 45 minutes, I don't think it will be a problem for the teachers to assess.
Actually we have an interview for ESF kindie next week and my son is quite shy (and probably not as verbally advanced as some of his playmates, esp the girls) but given that I will be with him in the play session, I expect this should help draw him out a bit more.
Geomum: from your other post, I gather you also applied for ESF kindie. Did you get an interview slot yet? If you like, I can let you know how we got on after our interview next week.
Actually we have an interview for ESF kindie next week and my son is quite shy (and probably not as verbally advanced as some of his playmates, esp the girls) but given that I will be with him in the play session, I expect this should help draw him out a bit more.
Geomum: from your other post, I gather you also applied for ESF kindie. Did you get an interview slot yet? If you like, I can let you know how we got on after our interview next week.
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