will local kindy affect chance of int'l primary

Hi M,
You certainly have more options open to you if your wife is a local. I know a few overseas chinese married to locals and most of them have chosen the local route - mainly because they are here for the long term and their spouses/in-laws can help with the reading/written chinese.

My son will attend Hong Lok Yuen Int'l school this Sept, but we may switch to ESF later as there's a chance we will also move out to Kowloon/HK side.

As well as local EMI and PMI, you may also consider the DSS schools.
 
Hi Bbc mom,

Thanks again for your kind reply. Your son is starting Nursery this Sept? Where did he go before for Kindergarden (if he did go?)

Since I live in YL, I will begin to search for a new place in Kowloon/HK later this year. It's early days yet for my daughter who is 10months old. I'm not so sure there is any great schools in YL.

But it's never too early hence I'm doing a lot of research to see what options I have.

I may be totally wrong but initially I plan that for Kindergarden, she goes to a billingual one. Also keeping in mind to leave options open for ESF or a good local school.

Since I'm bbc, I'm consicious that I want her Chinese to be excellent but bearing in mind that some day she will go abroad for Uni and I don't want her English to be lacking.

M
 
Hi M,
My son is only 2yrs 4mths so hasn't started formal schooling yet, but since 18mths old I've been taking him to formal playgroups. He'll be starting nursery class (equivalent to local K1) this Sept.

I don't know of any good schools in YL area, but you can check out all the schools on the EMB website. There's also a book/directory which has all the kindergarten listings (but this is all in chinese) and gives basic info on no.pupils/teachers, languages taught, size, facilities, fees etc.

For more first hand info on good local schools, check out the baby kingdom website which caters for the local parents. Most of it is in chinese (maybe your wife can help out here) but there are some english postings.

Finally if you want your daughter's chinese to be fluent - I've been told they should stay at a local school up to primary level, and only switch to english speaking at secondary level. Obviously it will be beneficial if you continue to speak english to her at home, so that her pronounciation can become more native english sounding.

Hope this helps.
 
I'm on a very similar research mission regarding my twin daughters who are 1/4 chinese.

Whats the exact URL for the babykingdom site? Thanks!
 
My children went to a local Chinese kindergarten (I was very happy with this particular school) and then on to International school. The only problem came when we applied for ESF. At ESF schools you have to join your correct age group year. This can be a problem as local kindergarten continues until the child is six years old but ESF starts at five years old.

You can miss the last year of the kindergarten to start ESF in P1 or have a headache catching up the reading and writing in English to start P2. The local schools don?t teach phonics and ESF does so missing P1 can put your child a long way behind.

Both my younger children are currently on the ESF waiting list. They both speak Cantonese but because they are now in international school are in Category One on the waiting list. I had to put forward a convincing argument about why I think they should be in the year they are currently studying (one year down because of finishing the local kindergarten) rather than the correct age group.
 
bbc mom said:
Finally if you want your daughter's chinese to be fluent - I've been told they should stay at a local school up to primary level, and only switch to english speaking at secondary level. Obviously it will be beneficial if you continue to speak english to her at home, so that her pronounciation can become more native english sounding.
Click to expand...

I have an English friend who has done this with her children. But please don?t think for a minute that it isn?t hard work. My friend studied Chinese at university and so can plough her way through the Chinese written work but she had to spend at least one day a week while her son was at school doing it.

This son will be changing to ESF school in the coming September. He is now studying P5 and will start in Year 7 (basically skipping a year) so that he can join his correct age group. Fortunately he is a very capable child and this isn?t a problem.

Because he spoke fluent Cantonese and can read and write Chinese at first he was put into ESF?s Category Two. But my friend complained and told ESF that she could no longer support his Chinese study and (because she is English and Caucasian ??? ) he has been placed in Category One and given a place.
 
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