Is it good at ISF

funnymommy

Ditto to HKTHK. I dont usually post much on EK but even I, who has nothing to do with ISF, felt I have to say something in response to spantan.

HKTHK - does the school place a lot of emphasis on exams or tests? I acknowledge that sometimes I want contradictory things. I want my child's school life to be stress free, and I want to minimise rote learning. On the other hand, I want him to have a working knowledge of Mandarin (he doesnt have to be good enough to study Chinese literature, just be able to survive in China and I want him to be at a sufficient level  sothat if he ever wants to, he could go for a year to Beijing after university to achieve fluency). Does the school have a lot of exams? What amount of homework could we expect per day? Any tips for getting in ISF? We are doing what we can to help my son develop his mandarin, including private lessons 4 times a week. He is getting better, but of course he isnt a native speaker. He is able to have simple conversations in Mandarin but the gap between his english and mandarin is too big so he always returns to English (after all, its pretty boring having the same limited conversations in Mandarin if he is asking pretty sophisticated questions in English).

kfy

Dear funnymommy

Do not need to worry too much about Mandarin speaking or listening. Your son will pick up very soon. He does not need to be a very fluent speaker during interview.

If possible, try to develop Chinese book reading habit with him now. Buy books from 小樹苗 with mandarin pinyin or even 基礎漢字 500. Read (or ask your son's tutor to read) a small storybook or just several pages everyday.

For FY student, the expected homework per school day is 40minutes inclusive of read along and a little bit of writing (journal / book reports etc.). I found that 40 minutes should be more than sufficient.

http://www.isf.edu.hk/en/academics/assessment/

Anne1999

回復 kfy 的帖子

Dear kfy,
thank you for your precious comments on ISF, actually I have the same ideas on learning & teaching the kids as you.  My girl is going to have the stage 1- chinese and English written test on May 7 at ISF,  If she is OK, she will move to Stage 2 & 3.  It sounds so tough!  But I always put the positive energy to my girls: Do the Best!  Actually my girl is studying at local school in P.6, and wants to fransfer her to ISF rather than pursueing the studies at local secondary school.  As I hate the on=going changing HK cirriculum, and also I think kids need to explore more other things than just only studying and studying.  

We visited the school on the open day and both are impressed by the students and teachers.  We were introduced by two G7 girls about the school stuffs.  It's coincident that the 2 girls also transferred from LS to ISF  for 2 years.  They explained that they are really enjoying the school life in ISF, can afford more time to read and explore other things, not only studying as before.  I think that is life.


I hope my girl wil get through the three stages.

Anne

Anne1999

回復 Anne1999 的帖子

Hi Kfy,
Do you know anything about KCIS ?

Smileocc

I totally agree that a holistic education is more beneficial to a child.

Btw, I am a bit confused here and apologize for my ignorance - since the IB results are not yet released, how come the children can get offers from universities ? Are the offers conditional  and are offered based on the students  performance at school?

kfy

Dear Smileocc

Yes some of the offers are unconditional and some are conditional. I am not too sure about the process as my daughter is still so young ...

Smileocc

Dear kfy

Thanks for your info...

sonicgina

回復 cecilau 的帖子

Good!

sonicgina

Smileocc 發表於 12-4-3 18:27
I had a school tour a few months ago. All the school ambassadors spoke native/fluent English and man ...

I had a school tour last month also. I heard kids spoke in English or Mandarin too.

sonicgina

tingtingting 發表於 12-4-5 10:45
True.  ISF is one of a kind - it's not just another international school.

ISF is Independent School.

sonicgina

CorinneCook 發表於 12-4-7 11:14
hi all, I am a new mummy with a baby who is 6mths now. we are now exploring all options for his educ ...

I had a school visit last month.  My son is studying in Rightmind K1.  I think this kindergarten is good choice if you would like your baby to be ISF student.  

sonicgina

回復 Birkin 的帖子

I think Harrow is better.  So finally which school you pick?

sonicgina

回復 CorinneCook 的帖子

I think Rightmind is one of the good option for kindergarten. Cause they have 15 students in ISF this year.  

sonicgina

Rightmind students Primary School Admission Results for 2011-2012

http://www.rmkg.org/pdf/2011-2012school.pdf

金瑪姬

阿仔話如果從小讀起就好好!插班就5贊成，因為語文会5夠用喎!佢話低年班除学術外，其他体艺刀好得!
仔今年12年班，忙到呕，真係呕过1次
我好满意学校，讚!

liyinfai

金瑪姬 發表於 12-12-27 00:36
阿仔話如果從小讀起就好好!插班就5贊成，因為語文会5夠用喎!佢話低年班除学術外，其他体艺刀好得!
仔今年12 ...

金瑪姬, 你仔仔學習上有幾忙？可否講吓分享吓？我小朋友現正讀ISF小學部,學緊很多課外活動如2種樂器和3種運動,上到高中是否要放棄某些ECA去專心讀讀書？謝謝

金瑪姬

冇得担心!11年开始好忙，停左日文，但因為CAS，反而仲要学新野添
主要係考試前，趕交功課辛苦
媽媽努力啊!

Julianlele

Pu

BoBoCute

回復 poonseelai 的帖子

http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20121028/18050893

Click on the chart and you can find IB result in 2012 for 16 schools.