CDNIS students speak mostly Cantonese amongst themselves?
- Thread starter littleho
- Start date
Bravo, thelonewalker, your post clarified and validated quite a number of troubling things that I've heard over the years about CDNIS.
What I find particularly sad is your comment about how the school's obsessive focus on achieving top scores has been done at the expense of crippling the students' spirits and voice. Very troubling indeed.
Moreover, the fact that you spent 8 years there and have apparently achieved a solid education but that this was not enough to compensate for your overwhelming negative feelings about the school also strikes me as profoundly sad.
I just have one question for you. You mentioned that life was hard for those students not achieving the desired top scores. Can you elaborate on this?
Anyway best of luck in your coming university life and I hope that you will find greater happiness there.
What I find particularly sad is your comment about how the school's obsessive focus on achieving top scores has been done at the expense of crippling the students' spirits and voice. Very troubling indeed.
Moreover, the fact that you spent 8 years there and have apparently achieved a solid education but that this was not enough to compensate for your overwhelming negative feelings about the school also strikes me as profoundly sad.
I just have one question for you. You mentioned that life was hard for those students not achieving the desired top scores. Can you elaborate on this?
Anyway best of luck in your coming university life and I hope that you will find greater happiness there.
Students who do not meet minimum standards are often guided out. Similar practices occur in CIS, HKIS and other international schools, and these practices are standard in local schools.
I find the whole post over the top and reeking of sour grapes - this student has clearly been disappointed in some way, personally or academically or socially, but I do not think you can take one students' view and use it to judge a whole school experience.
CDNIS has just posted their IB results in their website. And I freely acknowledge that results are not everything, but the school does have a rich and vibrant cultural and sporting life and students are actively encouraged to participate in these programs, right through their years at the school.
I find the whole post over the top and reeking of sour grapes - this student has clearly been disappointed in some way, personally or academically or socially, but I do not think you can take one students' view and use it to judge a whole school experience.
CDNIS has just posted their IB results in their website. And I freely acknowledge that results are not everything, but the school does have a rich and vibrant cultural and sporting life and students are actively encouraged to participate in these programs, right through their years at the school.
howardcoombs
Registered User
HappyV, just so everything is out in the open, whats your connection to CDNIS?
Are you a parent, teacher, administrator? You seem to be heavily slanted and cheering for them in a big way.
Are you a parent, teacher, administrator? You seem to be heavily slanted and cheering for them in a big way.
My 2 cents. I have nothing to do with CDNIS -- I'm not a parent, employee, etc -- though I once volunteered to do some student talks there.
The kids have great English. They were also a delight to talk to -- the best school talk I've done in HK. They seemed curious, willing to ask questions and not shy, which is more than what I encounter in most local schools. It was also good of the school to bring in regular outside speakers.
I know this doesn't answer the question of the thread. But I have to say I was impressed.
The kids have great English. They were also a delight to talk to -- the best school talk I've done in HK. They seemed curious, willing to ask questions and not shy, which is more than what I encounter in most local schools. It was also good of the school to bring in regular outside speakers.
I know this doesn't answer the question of the thread. But I have to say I was impressed.
howardcoombs
Registered User
Gracey, I agree 100%. I visited the school on 3 occasions and met the head twice. Unfortunately, he died last year in very sad circumstances. Lovely teachers, fantastic facilities and delightful kids.
If it had a more intensive Mandarin curriculum, I would have picked it for my kids as I want my kids to get into universities in Canada.
If it had a more intensive Mandarin curriculum, I would have picked it for my kids as I want my kids to get into universities in Canada.
I am not a teacher at CDNIS. I am not a parent at CDNIS. I am not a student at CDNIS - satisfied? But I have been involed with more than a dozen local/ESF/international schools in a number of roles, and yes, I think CDNIS is an outstanding school - one of the best in HK.
Actually, the principal of the lower school died in 2009 - nearly two years ago. And the Mandarin program is much different than what is was even two or three years ago. I suspect that howards info is out of date.
Actually, the principal of the lower school died in 2009 - nearly two years ago. And the Mandarin program is much different than what is was even two or three years ago. I suspect that howards info is out of date.
howardcoombs
Registered User
You're right, it was 2 years go when we last met him and he died a a couple of months later. Time flies; and it was really sad; he seemed like a very nice and caring person.
As for the Mandarin program, I was there last year and it still didnt satisfy my needs and wishes hence I looked elsewhere and found something a lot more suitable for my requirements.
As for being satisfied, actually no; I was trying to figure out the source of your zealotry, but have failed to figure that out. Anyway, I've said my piece and peace and will sign off for now.
As for the Mandarin program, I was there last year and it still didnt satisfy my needs and wishes hence I looked elsewhere and found something a lot more suitable for my requirements.
As for being satisfied, actually no; I was trying to figure out the source of your zealotry, but have failed to figure that out. Anyway, I've said my piece and peace and will sign off for now.
howardcoombs
Registered User
I covered all that in earlier discussions; feel free to review them at your leisure. This is possible only because I dont hide my opinions within PMs. Simply put CDNIS' Mandarin program was not up to the standard I was seeking. It excelled in every other area but was lacking in Mandarin.
howardcoombs
Registered User
Since you bring up accusations, your opinion has been so over the top that I've accused you of having a hidden motive. I've also accused you of making wild claims along with being a zealot.
Somehow, your praise for this school seems wholly un-natural. Your words seem like they are coming from a shill. You certainly are doign a bang up job of promotion *shrug*
Somehow, your praise for this school seems wholly un-natural. Your words seem like they are coming from a shill. You certainly are doign a bang up job of promotion *shrug*
I think it's fine that we disagree. However, unless you are prepared to discuss specifics (which you're not) and to refrain from getting personal, then we will have to leave it there.
It's such a shame - because it would have been really interesting to get into the details of what you think makes the KCIS much better - we could all learn something from that discussion.
It's such a shame - because it would have been really interesting to get into the details of what you think makes the KCIS much better - we could all learn something from that discussion.
howardcoombs
Registered User
Well, before we can start learning from that discussion, you will need to pay attention to the current one.
Can you point out where I said KCIS was better? Why do you keep bringing KCIS into the conversation anyway?
We are at post #54 because you made an inflated claim about CDNIS that I along with others have disagreed with but you but you keep harping on about it. I've never seen such passion from anyone without a vested interest.
Can you point out where I said KCIS was better? Why do you keep bringing KCIS into the conversation anyway?
We are at post #54 because you made an inflated claim about CDNIS that I along with others have disagreed with but you but you keep harping on about it. I've never seen such passion from anyone without a vested interest.
I will attempt to answer this question. School does not give recognition of students that don't excel at the very top. It does not give any consolation that a student has worked tirelessly on trying to achieve good grades but still ending up with somewhat average grades. You wouldn't want to be a student sitting at the year-end assembly watching a select few people come back with a armful of accolades while you sit there for years on end.
School society is extremely competitive in terms of grades. Yes IB requirements are high, our school's requirements are higher, but most importantly, what your peers receive is the benchmark for academic "success". There is IB fail, the school's "fail", and what students coin "Asian Fail". Life is hard for students not achieving the grades they desire because of how much pressure there is if they don't. All the aforementioned requirements, only add to the feeling of failing yourself.
When I say "the school", I don't necessarily mean the teachers. We have some amazing teachers and some really crappy ones. What I want to say is there's always a balance, all school is is tipping the scale towards academic standing and prestige, and in turn, has in fact sacrificed a lot of more social aspects of the experience.
And as for whether students speak Cantonese amongst themselves: Yes they most definitely do. It's Hong Kong. In the earlier grades of the school, Grades 1-5, the use of the language is strictly enforced. I frown upon that though, since if its purpose is to prevent exclusion, the use of all other foreign languages should be prohibited too.
I can answer more questions pertaining to most things there.
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mustardseeds
New member
CDNIS chinese program
Hi all
I am thinking of sending my kid to CDNIS pre-reception class next year, can anyone share the information about the chinese program currently adopted by the School? Simplified chinese / traditional chinese? Hours per day? amount of homework etc?
Thank you for sharing the info.
Hi all
I am thinking of sending my kid to CDNIS pre-reception class next year, can anyone share the information about the chinese program currently adopted by the School? Simplified chinese / traditional chinese? Hours per day? amount of homework etc?
Thank you for sharing the info.