HK local kid gets in ESF, how likely?

Owens

Hi, our family just returned to HK per job requirement, it was not a case of planning ahead! Anyway, I m trying to get my 7-year-old son into an IS which offers English n putonghua and this proves to be a great challenge considering the poor n limited timeline.Learnt a lot from web pages on ESF n I wonder how possible for him to get a place considering we are at the bottom of the priority list? No foreign passport and of coz no siblings ...
The NR is off the table per its pricing!
Any personal experience / suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Mighty

Holding foreign passport does not help at all if the child is educated locally.  One of the criteria is he/she does not fit in the local system.  How long have you been out of the country?  If your child's first language is not Chinese and could not fit in local education system, then you should submit your application right away.  You can even go to the school and explain your situation.  I know the waiting list is long and even some expatriate children cannot get it, there's no harm to give a try.  You never know.  

Owens

He has always been studying in shanghai SIS with English n putonghua - has not studied in HK before.You mean they would consider on a case basis? That would be great! Thanks

slamai

回復 Owens 的帖子

If your son cannot communicate in Cantonese, you may have a better chance when vacancy comes up.  My understanding is that there will be a higher chance of vacancies if your catchment area is in Hong Kong side.

Owens

Thanks, he speaks Cantonese but does not write / read Chinese  

do123alex

原帖由 Owens 於 12-09-18 發表
He has always been studying in shanghai SIS with English n putonghua - has not studied in HK before. ...

You may also apply for SIS at HK if your son is fluent in PTH and English, logically  the SIS background at Shanghai would help.

minirat

原帖由 do123alex 於 12-09-20 發表
You may also apply for SIS at HK if your son is fluent in PTH and English, logically  the SIS backgr ...

I think SIS is equally or if not more difficult to get in, but no harm trying.

md23

Owens 發表於 12-9-20 20:44
Thanks, he speaks Cantonese but does not write / read Chinese

If he speaks Cantonese, he will be category 2. Harder to get in.ESF is not really famous for their Mandarin, I wonder why you consider it at all. Why not consider SIS, CIS, ISF, etc?

poonseelai

A friend's daughter who holds a foreign passport and speaks Eng, Cantonese and PTH got admitted to ESF Year 1 this Sept.  Her Indian neighbour who speaks ony Eng didn't even have an interview.  So it's really hard to tell.  

nintendo

唔好討論個別 case 喇，每個 case 都 unique，人地成功，可能有好多原因。
最重要係要小朋友是真正的 non cantonese speaking 先係 cat 1。
putonghua 算唔算，應該冇名確的，我的確識有 putonghua speaking kids 被當是 cat 1。
policy 亦冇話過你有外國 passpost 就有優先。
當然，年年都會有人 "闖關" 成功，我都識有小朋友的確唔係 english speaking 都成功，去到 interview 重要唔出聲，唔采人，佢考到真係靠運，但人地好采，唔代表自己好采，就係咁 。

minirat

nintendo 發表於 12-9-21 09:40
唔好討論個別 case 喇，每個 case 都 unique，人地成功，可能有好多原因。
最重要係要小朋友是真正的 non c ...

好同意！成功與否有好多因素，絕對包括運氣