Any experience with chinese medium??
- Thread starter Lisainhk
- Start date
howardcoombs
Registered User
We are 2 western parents with 3 trilinual kids.
Our kids were educated in nursery/kindergarten in a 100% Cantonese environment (Lingnan).
They then graduated to a 90% Mandarin environment (KCS).
We are slowly transitioning them to an English environment as they are getting old enough for secondary school.
It is not easy, but very doable. You will need support (extra tutors) as you wont be able to help with their homework and you will also need to keep the language up with extra curricular activities.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
HC
Our kids were educated in nursery/kindergarten in a 100% Cantonese environment (Lingnan).
They then graduated to a 90% Mandarin environment (KCS).
We are slowly transitioning them to an English environment as they are getting old enough for secondary school.
It is not easy, but very doable. You will need support (extra tutors) as you wont be able to help with their homework and you will also need to keep the language up with extra curricular activities.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
HC
solidstars
Registered User
carang, just wondering how long it takes you to get from where you are to sai kung? isn't it a bit far?
carang
Registered User
there is no school bus that comes into the country park. school starts at 8:45am. my helper is on the bus with the kids at 8am. they could go a little later and get the minibus, but my kids prefer the "big bus". they arrive in sai kung about 8:30am.
we don't really have much choice because of where we live. LEAPFROG is much closer to us, only about 5minutes away. New Song is also closer, about 15 minutes away. woodlands would be about 15 minutes further than my son's current kindergarten.
there are a few other local kindies in sai kung, but we liked the outdoor space and environment of Lok Yuk.
we don't really have much choice because of where we live. LEAPFROG is much closer to us, only about 5minutes away. New Song is also closer, about 15 minutes away. woodlands would be about 15 minutes further than my son's current kindergarten.
there are a few other local kindies in sai kung, but we liked the outdoor space and environment of Lok Yuk.
solidstars
Registered User
thanks, that further reinforces that i would feel so much better if we had a helper and especially when baby starts school!
carang
Registered User
we couldn't get by without our helper right now. we actually now have her husband working for us, too. but he helps my husband more and their duties are totally different.
i work so much that i cannot do it all myself. it is impossible. i know, i tried last year for a month when she was in PH. i ended up having to cancel classes for that month as i couldn't take my daughter to school without having my helper at home to care for her. there is no way my girl could have lasted from 9-4 at my school without having a meltdown or two, and that is not fair for other parents who bring their children so i can play with THEM....
i work so much that i cannot do it all myself. it is impossible. i know, i tried last year for a month when she was in PH. i ended up having to cancel classes for that month as i couldn't take my daughter to school without having my helper at home to care for her. there is no way my girl could have lasted from 9-4 at my school without having a meltdown or two, and that is not fair for other parents who bring their children so i can play with THEM....
I totally agree this is the way to learn the local language. Mix in with the locals, most speak some English and are helpful.
Thanks Flobash! Please keep me updated 
I'm still not sure. I guess we have a lot of time. He's only 10 months old now. I also am worried about not being able to help with homework and not being able to be a part of his education. I'm starting to wonder if in the long run it would be more beneficial for him to learn at an english school because most of the universities seem to teach in English anyway. There would be no back up of cantonese at home. Neither of us speak it. Want to learn it but I need to be realistic... We don't have a helper. I'm wondering if it's going to be too stressful for him if we hire a tutor. I'm not a big fan of kids not being allowed to be kids and doing too much study from a young age. Arrghh! So much to consider! I appreciate everyone's opinions.
I'm still not sure. I guess we have a lot of time. He's only 10 months old now. I also am worried about not being able to help with homework and not being able to be a part of his education. I'm starting to wonder if in the long run it would be more beneficial for him to learn at an english school because most of the universities seem to teach in English anyway. There would be no back up of cantonese at home. Neither of us speak it. Want to learn it but I need to be realistic... We don't have a helper. I'm wondering if it's going to be too stressful for him if we hire a tutor. I'm not a big fan of kids not being allowed to be kids and doing too much study from a young age. Arrghh! So much to consider! I appreciate everyone's opinions.