教育王國

標題: so worry about the interview [打印本頁]

作者: seasamestreet 時間: 12-1-12 12:32 標題: so worry about the interview

My little one went for an interview in one of those esf school. He is in cat.1 and have an older brother in the same school. But I am just so worry about his performance in the interview. He was a little bit shy and cried at the end of the interview. I don't know thses will affect the result or not.
I applicatied DC for him as well,but DC even don't give him an interview. so if he fail this interview, he don't have other options.

作者: mirimiri 時間: 12-1-12 18:12

A bit surprised that you didn't apply RC.... Anyway Cat 1+siblings should have 2nd interview if fail the 1st one, but not sure this year.

作者: tutorvk 時間: 12-1-13 13:13

It's difficult.. don't think it's that fair to judge the kid just on the interview.. especially when they are so young!

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-14 07:29

but why is he in Cat 1?

作者: seasamestreet 時間: 12-1-14 08:47

He only could speak English, his dad is not a Chinese.

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-15 15:19

But you can speak to him in Chinese, cant you? If you speak English (your second or third language) with him then definitely that will hinder his language development and he might have difficulties in expressing himself in public.

作者: lilypoco 時間: 12-1-15 15:41

提示: 作者被禁止或刪除內容自動屏蔽

作者: seasamestreet 時間: 12-1-15 18:39

回復 Mighty 的帖子

if like what you said, those kids' parent are both Chinese but only talk to their kid in English, those kids might hardly to express themself in English?

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-16 11:07

Not necessarily.  But I think the best way is you speak to your child in your mother tongue, then your child will become truly multilingual.  I saw lots of successful cases.
I also noticed lots of English speaking kids whose parents are local Hong Kong Chinese make quite a few mistakes in their spoken English which only Chinese speaking people will make.  Like "open (shld be "turn on") the television, drink more water every day (shld be "drink lots of/plenty of water" every day) etc.
If we want our kids to be truly multilingual, we should speak to our kids in our own language, because we express ourselves best in that way.

作者: lottieclee 時間: 12-1-16 11:10

回復 seasamestreet 的帖子

The teachers can pick out children who are truely Cat 1 or not... Don't worry too much about it. Being shy usually won't make a child fail an interview. Not talking or not being able to understand and respond makes a child fail an interview.

作者: littleroundface 時間: 12-1-16 15:24

Agree with Mighty's point of view. I do not speak English with him at home except reading books.
My son also does not talk, so he did not perform good in interview, I worried but I understand it's not easy for him to adapt in new environement (esp during interview) in short time.
My colleague's younger son got accepted by ESF K1 but he cried all the time during the play visit, but his brother is also study in ESF. Usually they will put silbings in piority. Don't worry too much....

作者: chongnicole 時間: 12-1-16 20:08

回復 Mighty 的帖子

Following your suggestion, no kids from Cantonese speaking families can get into international schools. From whom do toddlers learn English?

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-16 20:39

本帖最後由 Mighty 於 12-1-16 15:40 編輯

Hi Nicole

I think you missed the point.

I am trying to say that It doesnt help at all if you are speaking to your child in English when it is your 2nd or 3rd language.

They should learn from native speakers.  This is very important for the foundation of language development. If you are aiming for international schools then of course you should send your kids to English kindergartens so that they can have a wide exposure of native English during the day.  Some good English DVDs can help too after school.

Speak to your child in your language, be it be Mandarin , Cantonese, or your own dialect whatever.  Then your child will become truly bilingual/multilingual and not just not-so-good English speakers and at the same time could not speak or write Chinese even when we are all Hong Kongers.

作者: PoohsBaby 時間: 12-1-16 20:59

Totally agree with Mighty.
I can't stand these parents speaking to their kids with their 'not-so-good' English in the public e.g. lift ... They should really speak 'their' language to ensure their kids will really be bilingual.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 01:09

Mighty 發表於 12-1-16 20:39
I am trying to say that It doesnt help at all if you are speaking to your child in English when it is your 2nd or 3rd language.

The point is speaking good English to your child, and not whether English is your first or second or ninth language. Speaking English as a second language does not mean speaking BAD English, many teachers in international schools in Hongkong are of South Asian and South East Asian origin who speak English as a second language and they are competent English teachers nonetheless, albeit some parents do have an issue with them simply because they are not the right colour.

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-17 08:41

No, nothing to do with your colour at all. But why cant you speak to your child in your mother tongue, even if you can speak good English. I can understand if there are people of different nationalities and that English is the only common language, then of course we should use English.
As Poohsbaby has pointed out as well, you see lots of local parents who are struggling with English try so hard to speak to their children in English with the illusion that 'my child is English speaking'. Very sad.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 10:19

本帖最後由 FattyDaddy 於 12-1-17 10:21 編輯

Mighty 發表於 12-1-17 08:41
No, nothing to do with your colour at all. But why cant you speak to your child in your mother tong ...

Why this fuss about mother tongue? If you employ a Filipino domestic helper, would you prefer her to speak to your child in her Tagalog mother tongue? {:1_1:}

Language is a "living" skill, the more you use it the better it becomes, and it fades away if you neglect it. Many local schools in Hongkong employ native English teachers to teach English too, but their student's spoken English is not up to par simply because they never speak it outside of school. So even if the parent's English is "bad", it is still better than no English at home, unless learning English is of little concern to the family.

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-17 10:37

What is the logic of comparing a helper and a mother? Anyway, I dont mind my helper (although I dont hv one) to teach my child a different language at all. But I just dont understand why so many local chinese parents choose not to speak to their children in their own language. That really hinders their children's language development in long term.

作者: CSJ安樂窩 時間: 12-1-17 10:42

回復 Mighty 的帖子

Agree with Mighty and I am proud of my kids being truely bilingual. However, for the local parents who are Cat. 2 with no priority whatsoever and if they wish to send their kids to an ESF schools, I guess they will have no choice but to speak to their child in English only even if its the parents' 2nd language. Not that I think it will do the child any good but this is the only way they can homemade Cat.1.

I just want to add that it is important to build up a child's 'Thinking language'. Using parents' mother tongue to build up a child's thinking language can enable them to express themselve fully. Of course, if the parents' second language is equaly strong as their 1st, there would be no problem.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 10:55

CSJ安樂窩發表於 12-1-17 10:42
Not that I think it will do the child any good but this is the only way they can homemade Cat.1 ...

There is nothing wrong with families trying to create a category 1 environment at home if that is what they want, I won't pass judgement on them and jump to conclusions like "it won't do the child any good" {:1_1:}

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 11:00

Mighty 發表於 12-1-17 10:37
What is the logic of comparing a helper and a mother?

Err ... do you actually live in Hongkong? Many kids in Hongkong spend more time with their domestic helper than their mother, see the logic now? {:1_1:}

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-17 11:17

Well, my observations are based on facts, and I feel a bit sorry for those who dont know and make long term mistakes.
Regarding Cat. 1, I think lots of people are twisting its original meaning. If that is the 'norm', then fine by me.

作者: mister 時間: 12-1-17 11:20

本帖最後由 mister 於 12-1-17 11:25 編輯

CSJ安樂窩發表於 12-1-17 10:42
回復 Mighty 的帖子

Agree with Mighty and I am proud of my kids being truely bilingual. However, fo ...

Agree with CSJ安樂窩

Understand Mighty's point here, of course it would be ideal if one of the parents' mother tongue is English and another one is Chinese (or another language), to make a kid truly bilingual.

However, I also believe the best way to learn a language is by frequent exposure to it. While in a Chinese society like Hong Kong, Chinese is the main language in most of the families, many of them would try to speak to their kids in English to enhance their exposure..

作者: mister 時間: 12-1-17 11:22

Mighty 發表於 12-1-17 11:17
Well, my observations are based on facts, and I feel a bit sorry for those who dont know and make lo ...

Yes, I think if the mother tongue of the parents is Chinese, even their kids speak only English, they will be classified as Cat. 2 only.

作者: CSJ安樂窩 時間: 12-1-17 11:24

本帖最後由 CSJ安樂窩於 12-1-17 11:38 編輯

My best guess is that the parents will not say their first language is Cantonese if they only speaks English with the kids at home, right? By doing that and even if both parents have Chinese surname, they will be classified as 'Cat. 1'. Of course, I cannot comment whether I THINK these acts are correct or not, otherwise, I will be classified as 'jumping into conclusion'

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 11:31

Mighty 發表於 12-1-17 11:17
Well, my observations are based on facts, and I feel a bit sorry for those who dont know and make lo ...

We often choose what we want to see, there is no need to pass judgement, and there is no need to feel sorry. Parents only want the best for their children, but what one family considers best may not coincide with another family {:1_1:}

The owner of this thread expressed her anxiety about getting into ESF schools, and ESF schools aim to produce English speakers rather than multilingual speakers, so suggesting her to speak to her child in anything other than English is really preaching to the wrong audience.

作者: 錢錢媽 時間: 12-1-17 14:07

From ESF official news letter, it stated " Letters informing parents of the interview results will be sent on 7 February; deposit and Refundable Capital Levy (RCL) payments for those children offered places will be required by 17 February, 2012."

Any one has had experience if the result letter will be sent earlier than the "official" date.

作者: SiuSiuPang 時間: 12-1-17 14:32

CSJ, you got the main point! It's true that many Cantonese-speaking parents have no choice but to create an English speaking environment for their child, so as to get a chance to the International school... I was once very annoyed when we were trying hard to speak "not-so-good" English to our child, but when we see his improvement (now he could express himself in both English and Cantonese), we know that it worths. He will finally have a chance to accept native speaking teachers' education in IS... I think all parents want their children to be better than themselves. My parents do not even know English at all but they still sent me to study overseas.

作者: chongnicole 時間: 12-1-17 14:52

回復 Mighty 的帖子

We are talking about getting in IS kindergarten, and your suggestion is - don't talk to your kid, watch some DVDs.
That won't work!

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-17 19:16

本帖最後由 FattyDaddy 於 12-1-18 15:35 編輯

To put everything in a nutshell, ESF schools be they kindergarten or primary or secondary schools are English schools (notice their name ENGLISH School Foundation?), they are NOT multilingual schools, and that is the exact reason why some parents decide not to go for ESF. A fine decision that may be but very much a personal decision based on one's ethnic and/or political inclinations.

The thread owner is obviously eager to enter ESF schools and feel anxious about it. There is nothing wrong with her trying to maximize her child's chances by speaking English to her child as much and as often as possible, people should respect her efforts instead of trying to tout their different philosophies.

作者: Eve 時間: 12-1-17 21:28

If they don't offer your kid a place, they will talk to you right after the interview.

作者: littleroundface 時間: 12-1-17 23:31

all parents are trying to provide the best environment for the kid ...i speak putonghua, my husband speaks japanese and we send him to pure english pn now...sometimes he is confusing, but i believe his language ability will be improved if we insist.

作者: seasamestreet 時間: 12-1-18 00:19

I am the owner of this thread. Yes , I am trying hard to get my little one into ESF, that' s because his brother already in ESF, if both of them could study in the same school, that will be a lot easier for me. We moved to HK just less than a year, and my hubby is not Chinese, we all communicated in English. For those ABC,BBC,CBC or mixed race who are grown up in English only environment but are multilingual, I would say their parents and them were trying very hard to do that, and I am not that one whom try hard enough. My children could understand a little bit very simple Cantonese, but definitely can't study in a local school. so they are in Cat1.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-18 00:23

littleroundface 發表於 12-1-17 23:31
.i speak putonghua, my husband speaks japanese and we send him to pure english pn now

If your goal is ESF schools, then you ought to start speaking to your child in English now, so that he will get used to hearing and responding to your English, the minimal exposure to English in nursery simply won't suffice. Don't be discouraged even if you think your English is not "good enough". speaking English with your child is a good incentive to make you study and improve your own English too.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-18 00:51

seasamestreet 發表於 12-1-18 00:19
I am the owner of this thread. Yes , I am trying hard to get my little one into ESF

I wish your efforts will be rewarded by an offer from an ESF school.

Don't be spooked by the suggestion that if you don't use your mother tongue with your child then his/her development will be hindered, ESF students have no problem whatsoever with expressing themselves in English, BUT they do have problems with Chinese, they are essentially monolingual and this is what some parents don't like.

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-18 10:56

回復 littleroundface 的帖子

Yes do keep it up. Your child can really conquer the world. Wow...Mandarin, Japanese and English. What a gift. I really envy you.

作者: littleroundface 時間: 12-1-18 21:56

回復 FattyDaddy 的帖子

yes, agree with you. we have english reading time everyday, and I am try to teach him when we are playing iphone game. I know he may not able to speak very good English, but he will use different languages when he speaks to us accordingly, i am really very happy with this improvement.
I would like my kid to learn official language rather than dilate, thats the main reason i do not speak cantonese with him.

作者: littleroundface 時間: 12-1-18 22:01

回復 Mighty 的帖子

yes, keep working hard everyday....hope he can manage those languages.
No need to envy me, i learn different language at different stage, and found it is very important to have a base official language to learn another official language....never use dilate to learn an official language.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 12-1-18 22:12

seasamestreet 發表於 12-1-18 00:19
My children could understand a little bit very simple Cantonese, but definitely can't study in a local school. so they are in Cat1 ...

There seems to have been some confusion over what is the definition of Category 1, some believe it has something to do with the parent's first language or their ethnic background.

Tonight I had a little spare time so I took the trouble of actually looking up the ESF website to find out what exactly is Category 1 according to ESF themselves, and here is what I have found ...

Category One
Children who speak English as a first or alternative language but do not speak Cantonese and/or read and write Chinese characters.
http://www.esf.edu.hk/our-schools/admissions-criteria/admissions-policy-and-procedures

So here we are, it has nothing to do with the parent's first language or their ethnic background, they only look at what the child speaks, and the child can even speak English as an alternative language (e.g. first language being Mandarin and second language being English), but if the child can speak Cantonese or read/write Chinese, then he/she won't be Category 1 no matter how good his/her English is.

Those parents planning to send their children to ESF schools should take note of this.

作者: 張師奶116 時間: 12-1-19 22:10

Totally agree with FattyDaddy.

Our family speak English at home even though we are not native English speaker because we think English is an international language and we want to build up our kid confident in speaking English. We do not aim to show off our kid is an English speaker, nor to make him as Cat. 1.

We believe our kid can learn Cantonese from the local community or through the out of school activities.

So far, we can say these arrangement do not hinder his language development. He is at five right now, and he can speak Cantonese, Putonghua, and English. He will speak the appropriate language under different situation. He spoke Putonghua when he was in Taiwan in last Christmas. He speaks Cantonese in local community activities and of course he speaks English in school.

作者: Mighty 時間: 12-1-20 13:12

Well, depends on what you meant by 'good'. Anyway, this is all from me on this thread.

作者: 蜜蜜 時間: 12-1-28 14:07 標題: 回覆：FattyDaddy 的帖子

Can't agree more

作者: 蜜蜜 時間: 12-1-28 14:08 標題: 回覆：蜜蜜的帖子

I mean all those Fattydaddy's thread...can't agree more, iPhone can't quote anything...or I don't know how to use...

歡迎光臨教育王國 (/)