Does IS = giving up Chinese?

Qda

What do you think? What do you do to polish up Chinese if your child is studying at IS.

happyfarm

no, only depends on which IS

CindyMak

I don't agree putting your kid in IS=giving up Chinese.

My son is now in K2, I insist to talk with him in Cantonese most of the time (80%).  Because I remember his kindy said, learning a second language doens't mean to push down your mother tongue.  His Cantonese is just like normal kids in local school.  On the other hand, I read him book on both languages and he can recognise more than 100 Chinese word.  However, he can write less than 10 Chinese word.

I didn't put him in any Chinese tutorial class at the moment, because I believe I can still teach him basic Chinese (reading, writing and conversation).  

I never compare his Chinese with local school kids, because I believe different child has different pace of learning.  

I have a friend who migrate to UK when she was 6.  Both her Chinese and English are better than mine. Even though I am growth up in HK and studied Chinese local secondary school.  She told me that she learn Chinese from her mommy.

What I am trying to say is, to give up Chinese or not, it depends on you and your kids.

劉明

Hi Pianokc,

How old are your kids?  I'm also planning to put my boys in IS.  To ensure their interest/std in Chinese, I'm also planning to have a private tutor at home.  May you share yours info to me?  Tks.

iamfine

Does IS = giving up Chinese?

Yes, sort of.

Pianokc

As a parent, I appreciate that my child learns alot from school, but I believe what you teach at home to your child, and what you expose your child to OUTSIDE of the school environment is also important.

IS doesn't mean giving up Chinese, it means a different approach, and a less "intensive" approach in comparison to local schools' system in HK.

I send my kids to Putonghua classes in group setting, a tutor comes to teach them twice a week, let them watch TV in Putonghua, and Cantonese, buy DVDs, and educational products audio, video, board games, writing books, story books to enhance their chinese interests, and standards.

I am very happy with their progress.