ESF only admit non-Chinese speaking kids?

[Jessica Rabbit]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer me some advice:

I am planning to send my son (3+) to an ESF Primary school and I have just checked on the ESF website and note they have the following criteria for admission - "ESF schools receive a subsidy from the Hong Kong Government to provide an education for English speaking children who can not access the local system."

My son is raised bi-lingually, Cantonese and English since he was born so he has no problem understanding and communicating in both languages. However, as my son can also access the local education system because he can speak Cantonese, does it mean my son will not be granted a place in ESF? Are all the places offered to non-Chinese speaking children?

Thank you for your help.

 

[rani]

ESF has 2 categories

Category 1 is for children who speak English and not Chinese and cannot enter the local system

Category 2 is for for children who can speak both and can enter the local school system.

Your child will fall under Category 2. ESF received a record number of applications and many children in Cat 2 were not granted an interview.

More details on their Admissions Policy here:
Admissions Policy and Procedures | English Schools Foundation

 

[Jessica Rabbit]

ESFMum, thanks for your info.

 

[testuser]

A fair few parents spend time coaching their kids to not reveal that they speak English. Having said that, they do try and trick the kids into speaking Chinese during interviews, from what I've heard.

Do take a look at our Hong Kong Schools Guide for more choices.

 

[Jessica Rabbit]

Thanks for reply Sri.

It all sounds too 'artificial' to me. I have no intention to ask my child to 'pretend' they can't speak one of their mother tongues. What for? If ESF is not interested in admitting children who can speak both English and Cantonese, no problem, I can turn my head to many other options. Nice to know where I stand

 

[Dwinrx]

ESF do have their own criteria and it is already published. We may agree or disagree but it is not non transparent.