GSIS

Chess

Ruby,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I quite appreciate your comments.  I know the pros of IS. One more point I want to raise, being my major concern, I heard that IS students do not need to memorize a lot. Is it true?  If yes, will their foundation be not solid enough?

原帖由 Ruby1219 於 11-6-8 11:01 發表
Hi Chess,

My 'cons' of international schools :
1. Expensive
2. Lower Chinese level
3. Lower knowledge/appreciation of Chinese culture
4. As local parents, we won't mindle very well with other pa ...

Yumom

Hi Suzanlai,

I would say that  for  Elite International Schools like the one you long for, it's not quite likely that they would accept those kids who do not do well in local schools! I can tell you that the competition for a place in GSIS is very strong.  I am surprised to see so many students attending exams in such a big hall.
For me, the reason I choose international school for my kid is because I've been a fans for international schools and don't quite like spoon-feeding of local schools. I changed for my kid at a time when she also thinks she prefers international school. She has friends attending international schools and she can compare herself.

Yumom

原帖由 suzanlai 於 11-6-7 19:52 發表
thanks a lot ! u r right! i am always confused and struggling! local vs international!  it is really too early to decide whether my 20months old baby suits what! but as it is becoming more and more co ...

Ruby1219

Chess,

It's true that in int'l schools, the kids do not need to 背書 and answer the questions in model answers. No offense, but isn't it a 'con' for local schools?

In int'l schools, kids finally would 'memorize' a lot of things, becos they found it interesting. My son loves retelling me the fun facts he found in books, but exactly he remembers them becos he was not forced to!
And in this new 'online' era, all sorts of information is available. I think 'memorization' is of less and less importance. While, the ability to seek knowledge and information is much more crucial. Don't you agree?
One more thing. The int'l school kids still need to 背 things like Chinese characters, English spelling, multiplication table, basic math formulas etc. But they don't need to 背 the textbooks (actually they don't have textbooks except Chinese and German) .

suzanlai

hi ruby & yumom,

do you think kids from IS will less likely to communicate cantonese with parents if i start placing her at IS in kindergarten?

suzan

Ruby1219

Suzan,

This is exactly NOT my case! Cos I speak in Cantonese with my son since he was 3, when he got accepted by the international kindergarten and we confirmed to put him in international from kindergarten to secondary). Before 3, we spoke to him in English to ensure he can pass the interview.

Now, my son talks to me in Cantonese over 90% of time, he only speaks in English when he cannot find the Chinese words.
Actually, he speaks almost the best Cantonese at school, and he's the top student in Chinese subject at school (but you know, the Chinese level of GSIS is pretty low).

suzanlai

oh ruby, do you mind PM me the kindergarten your kid went for PN, K1 and K2? so is your son with GSIS since P1?
thanks!!
suzan

Chess

Ruby,

I got your point.  Will you kindly share:-

1. how's school in GSIS? Your kid mix well with his schoolmates?
2. is it difficult to get in at Year 8?
3. how's entrance exam for primary level like? Written test plus interview?

Thanks.

Chess

原帖由 Ruby1219 於 11-6-8 13:59 發表
Chess,

It's true that in int'l schools, the kids do not need to 背書 and answer the questions in model answers. No offense, but isn't it a 'con' for local schools?

In int'l schools, kids finally w ...

Ruby1219

Hi Chess,

Find my answers below :

1. how's school in GSIS? Your kid mix well with his schoolmates?

>>Yes, he enjoys school a lot. So far he loves GSIS and he said he would like to study there as long as he can i.e. till Year 13

2. is it difficult to get in at Year 8?
>> sorry I don't know about secondary. only thing I can tell you is the turnover rate of GSIS is very high, as many kids have to relocate for studying abroad or their parents have to relocate for jobs. So, do keep yourself in the waiting list and keep track to see when the vacancy arise.

3. how's entrance exam for primary level like? Written test plus interview?

When my son took the assessment in Year 3, he was given a math written test, had to write an English story and read a story with the teacher. It took about 1 hour time.

Chess

Hi Ruby

Please check PM.

原帖由 Ruby1219 於 11-6-8 21:15 發表
Hi Chess,

Find my answers below :

1. how's school in GSIS? Your kid mix well with his schoolmates?

>>Yes, he enjoys school a lot. So far he loves GSIS and he said he would like to study there as ...

Ruby1219

Chess,

I checked but haven't got your message in PM.

Ruby

Ruby1219

Suzan,

Sent you pm. Please check.

Ruby

Chess

Ruby

Oh my inadvertence!  Please check PM again.

Chess

原帖由 Ruby1219 於 11-6-8 23:45 發表
Chess,

I checked but haven't got your message in PM.

Ruby

Chess

Hi Ruby

Thanks for your reply.  You are very helpful indeed.
I have a few more points to seek your comments.  Can you please check PM?

Cheers
Chess

原帖由 Ruby1219 於 11-6-8 23:45 發表
Chess,

I checked but haven't got your message in PM.

Ruby