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標題: Coming back to HK from USA [打印本頁]

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-12 13:56 標題: Coming back to HK from USA

Dear all moms,

We are planning to come back to HK from USA and  looking for an International School for my child as her Cantonese is not that good. Also, most important, I don't think she could get used to the local school system.

She is holding a  USA passport and is studying at elementary / primary school in the USA.  We'd like to see which school  she could get in, before we choose where to live in HK.

  (1) If we relocate back to HK, any good international schools suggested ? We do not prefer the British system, as it is very different from the US system.

(2) What is the procedure of applying for the International school.  Can we come back to HK during summer school holiday and  get a tour of the school ?

(3)  What's the difference between ESF and other International schools ?

Many thanks for your precious advices !

p.s  :
Please give me the full name of the schools as well, as sometimes I don't know what the abbreviations
stand for.  Thanks a lot !

作者: emmamay 時間: 07-9-12 18:21

You can apply Hong Kong International School since it is having US system. Your child will be in top priority. 'cause you are applying from overseas. All the overseas applications will jump over the local one.I heard that one of the case is a US family applied in May, But the child still got accepted in the following August(school beginning). The school may keep some place for those late overseas application.
Also I applied the school for my son in February two years ago. We were living in overseas at that time and we had to move back to Hong Kong. It was a short notice from my husband' s company.
I was so worried that my son could not get a place in any int'l school in Hong Kong, considering of a long waiting list. But now I understand if you apply from overseas, You will be in top priority. It also happened like that when I applied the ESF school. But they let me know the offering too late(at the end of July). HKIS offered my son at the end of April and we had to pay the 1st semester school fee in May.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-13 08:16 標題: Coming back to HK from USA

Hi emmamay ,

Thank you very much for your advices

! It definitely helps a lot for me considering the long waiting list.

(1) Do you know whether American International School at Kowloon Tong is good or not ?

(2) What's the main difference between ESF schools and non-ESF international schools ?

(3) Is ESF schools better than non-ESF schools ?

Many Thanks !!

作者: emmamay 時間: 07-9-13 10:12

Dear pinkrose
I have no idea about that American Int'l School in Kowloon Tong. I am not sure is it in a mainstream int'l school.If you get a chance coming to Hong Kong, call all the schools that you are interested for a tour, so you'll have a better idea.

The ESF school is having a British system. Their school fee is more affordable comparing with other IS, that's why it is popular among the middle class in Hong Kong. For myself, I don't think it is a matter whether a US or British systerm, as long as it's a good school, and if your child likes it or not. But I am not sure how old is your child, I feel like younger child can adapt in a new school easier.

作者: emmamay 時間: 07-9-13 10:29

BY the way , Pinkrose, I cannot answer your question (3).There are some outstanding students in ESF, Chinese Int'l School, German Swiss School, Hong Kong Int'l School. Just because of different family has differnet value, and we will make our choice of what we think it suites our child the best.
The Q3 is always a big argument in Baby Kingdom.

作者: sophia1201 時間: 07-9-13 13:49

Hi pinkrose,

International Christian School, American Int'l School and HK int'l school should be the only 3 that adopts US curriculum in HK. ESF is moving from UK curriculum to IB, as well as some other int'l schools. The difference between ESF vs other schools is that ESF is gov't subsidized so it's slightly cheaper. Regarding AIS there's basically zero discussion here probably not much Chinese studies there. hope it helps~

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-14 13:05

Hi Sophia 1201,

Thanks very much for answering Question 3 for me !!
Now, it's easier for me to do a school search.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-14 13:07

Hi Sophia 1201,

Thanks very much for answering Question 3 to me !!
Now, it's easier for me to do a school search.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-14 13:17

Hi emmamay,

Thanks for sharing your experiences !
Yes, I agree that kids adapt to new things quite fast. What I concern is there is big differences in words using and spelling  for US & UK.

e.g
Torch vs Flash Light
Lorry  vs Truck
Take Away vs To Go
Biscuit  vs  Cracker

theatre vs theater
colour  vs color

作者: emmamay 時間: 07-9-14 13:54

Dear Pinkrose,
Don't underestimate your child. I don't think it's a big problem. You just worry too much.

作者: rainbowbb 時間: 07-9-14 14:07

It seems that the reputation of AIS is not as good as otheIS

作者: googagi 時間: 07-9-14 15:26

If money is not a concern, Hong Kong International School is probably the best choice. Their curriculum is the same as that in US.

作者: dunkser 時間: 07-9-14 16:32

Hi Pinkrose,
we just came back from the states too!
I'm now (still) looking for a school for Joshua,
is American International School better or CAIS better ?

作者: christf 時間: 07-9-14 16:39

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作者: dunkser 時間: 07-9-14 17:51

原文章由 christf 於 07-9-14 16:39 硐表
CAIS - only the point of student dicipline is justified to choose CAIS over American International School

so academically AIS is better?

作者: christf 時間: 07-9-14 19:07

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作者: YOSASHTO 時間: 07-9-14 21:41

原文章由 pinkrose 於 07-9-14 13:17 硐表
Hi emmamay,

Thanks for sharing your experiences !
Yes, I agree that kids adapt to new things quite fast. What I concern is there is big differences in words using and spelling for US & UK.

...

I feel there are bigger differences than just choice of words and spellings.  The teaching styles are quite different also.  There are pros and cons to both, and depending on how old your daughter is, this difference in teaching styles may or may not affect her.  Another factor is, if she is in a upper primary or middle school, the curriculum may be quite different already.

About HKIS, I heard that there are 3 queues.  The highest priority are Americans, especially those applying from overseas - which is your case.  Next are those with corporate debentures and those who cannot attend local schools - i.e. non-American expats already in HK.  The third category are all the other applicants.  So, judging from this, you should have no problems getting into HKIS, provided your daughter meets the academic requirements during the interview.  I know they are very strict about the academic standards because last year they interviewed a pair of siblings, and rejected one because she did not meet the requirements.  At the end, the parents decided to send both kids to another school together.

I suggest that you contact them as far ahead of time as possible and ask about the vacancies for your grade level.  Even if they cannot tell you the number of vacant spots, they should be able to tell you how many kids are on the waiting list in front of you.  All information you will need are on http://www.hkis.edu.hk.  They even have online application now.

作者: googagi 時間: 07-9-14 22:50

You have a good chance of getting in HKIS without an interview since you are still in the States. Just provide the transcript and all relevant documents. They will accomodate Americans who comes to Hong Kong. The tuition fee is almost HK$13,000 x 10 months. The chance of getting a debenture is very slim. There is a super long waiting list. Upper Primary or Lower Primary kids are very relax, not much homework. Yet, they learned a lot. Very good school. Kids from the States would love it. The curriculum is very similar to that in US.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-15 05:06

Hi Dunkser,

I'm sorry, I don't have an idea whether AIS or CAIS is better, as I'm also asking the other moms's opinions.

If you're looking for US system, according to what Sophia 1201 said in the previous thread, there are only 3 schools : HK Int'l School, AIS and International Christian School. If you don't mind the system, ESF schools have gov't subsidisies, so it's more affordable than other internationsl schools.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-15 05:27

Hi Googagi,

Thank you very much for telling me about HK International School's tuition fees and debenture system !
Previously, I looked up their website and couldn't find their tuition fees.
I heard about the long wait list and the high price of the debentures of the international schools. Fortunately, you guys told me more about these, so that I'd apply from USA.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-15 05:59

Hi Yoshashto,

Thanks for giving me a deeper insights between the US and UK teaching styles !

Can you please tell me more about the differences of the two teaching styles in the international schools  ?
My daughter is in lower elementary.  Academically, she's very strong.  She is very playful  and creative. She has an independent mind as well .

However, she is shy when it comes to  new people and environment. She is not that outspoken in the class as well.  That's why I like the schools here that they have "Show & Tell" since pre-school.  The kids got a chance to do a short presentation in front of their classmates.  Also, I'd prefer the schools which provide a positive, warm  and open-minded enviroment, so my daughter will eventually becomes more open up.

.

作者: googagi 時間: 07-9-15 09:43

HKIS starts "Show & Tell" since R1. Even the very shy kid got to present in front of the entire class. Gradually the presentation scope will be to the cluster and the teacher. And from G2, to parents as well. The British system is more strict. French International School in in the British system. They made the kids walk with the arms in the back. And bow to teachers. When sitting, the hands have to be placed on the lap. For kids who are used to the US system, they would find this kind of discipline a bit too much.

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-17 06:18

Hi Googagi,

Woh ! The Bristish and French schools' discipline sound like local schools. I, myself really felt suffocated when I was in HK with local schools. For my shy daughter, I think the British style will only suppress her more. In that case, I think US style suit her more. Thanks again for the additional information !

作者: googagi 時間: 07-9-17 13:24

Hi Pinkrose,

Believe it or not, going to local schools in our era should be a lot more relaxed than nowadays. Some schools require 100% accuracy in all tests/dictations. Since the whole class score 100, the teacher sets out bonus questions for kids to differentiate who is actually better. Not just the kids suffer, Mom do too. Kids returning from US should feel more comfortable staying in the US system. Good luck...

作者: annie40 時間: 07-9-17 14:24

My girl studied in French Interantional School last year. It is a quite academic school, but also has a very kind head tteacher and some excellent class teachers. I had never seen or heard that the kids walking with arms in the back and bowing to teachers. What I saw was the kids always played high-five with the head teacher, Mr Chadwich, while seeing each other at the corridor. My girl's class teacher let every birthday child stood on the desk while the whole class sang her/him a birthday song in whatever music she/he likes.

Anyway, I let my girl moved back to the Peak School this year due to some personal reasons. But frankly both ESF and FIS are very good schools under British curriculum. My family are American. My husband and I feel happy that my girl and her school mates are always show their 'coutesy and kindness to friends, teachers and parents. That's very important for me.

I hope my sharing is useful.

Annie

原文章由 googagi 於 07-9-15 09:43 硐表
HKIS starts "Show & Tell" since R1. Even the very shy kid got to present in front of the entire class. Gradually the presentation scope will be to the cluster and the teacher. And from G2, to parents ...

作者: YOSASHTO 時間: 07-9-17 15:19

Hi pinkrose,

I think googagi gave a good explanation on the differences.  I grew up with the American system, so I would be quite biased toward it, and would not be a good person to be making the comparisons.  When I was choosing a school for my son, I visited quite a few schools.  My son was accepted to all those that we applied, but at the end we decided to go with HKIS.

Some of my deciding factors were:
1. Class size
ESF classes are quite large (I think 30 kids) in one class, and with only one teacher.  If they let give the kids as much freedom as what the principal told me during the tour, I cannot imagine how the teacher can manage the class alone, especially if there are two rowdy kids.
2. Character development
I feel that academics can be taught to children at any age, but character must be molded from a young age.  By character, I mean, kindness, fairness, respect to love people and things, etc.  I am quite sure all international schools will develop the children academically.  Afterall, that's why they are going to school everyday.  However, I did not find explicit evidence of character developments in most schools, except for HKIS and ICS.  So far, I am very happy with how HKIS teachers children about handling emotions, bullying, growing up, etc.  These are things that children need to learn even more than the academics.
3. Traditional vs. Simplified Chinese characters
Since Chinese learning at international schools are at a much lesser level than local schools, they might as well be learning the traditional characters.  Switching from the more complicated set to the simplified set when they get older must certainly be easier than switching the other way around.  HKIS is one of the few international schools that used traditional characters, although they do have the option for the child to use simplified characters if the parents so request.
4. Ease of transfer back to North America
With the world shrinking in terms of travel and workplace, we want to be prepared just in case we are to move back to North America.  Therefore, a North American curriculum would suit us much better than the British system.

I didn't really answer your question, but I hope this helps in your decision process.

[ 本文章最後由 YOSASHTO 於 07-9-17 15:21 編輯 ]

作者: googagi 時間: 07-9-17 16:52

Hi Annie40,

Your daughter must be the lucky ones. My nephpew is still in FIS, and he has been there for quite a few years. He's been taught with tough discipline.

Googagi

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-19 13:11

Hi Annie40 & Googari,

Thanks for you guys' sharings on FIS !

作者: pinkrose 時間: 07-9-19 13:32

Thanks for your sharings and I fully agreed to all 4 points you mentioned !
For Simplified vs Traditional Chinese Characters. I think the situation for kids in IS in HK is similar to the Chinese kids in the US.
However, there is a trend here that kids learn to recognize both Simplified & Traditional Chinese Characters, but only need to write Simplified Characters.

作者: courtbas 時間: 07-12-11 23:01

annie40,

I sent you a PM. Please check. Thank you.

原文章由 annie40 於 07-9-17 14:24 發表
My girl studied in French Interantional School last year. It is a quite academic school, but also has a very kind head tteacher and some excellent class teachers. I had never seen or heard that the ...

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