Job Discussion Forums

[Ganbei]

Hi ya-I'm working at a Middle school in China and my son (8 1/2) is attending the attached primary school.

He's in grade 1, learning Chinese.After school I plan to homeschool with Aust. curriculum and the net.

It's busy and a tad disorganised but,when it settles things should be fine.

[gypsywoman]

I'm a single mum as well and know where you are coming from.
Just to throw one more idea into pot for you, have you considered schooling the child yourself? At young ages, its not so hard to do, there is also distance ed, which I have done with my kids on occasions over the years.
It doesn't harm their education and you can always find ways to socialise them with other kids. It takes the pressure off you as a mum and its easier for the child to learn as the lessons plans are suited to the childs ability.
You will still need a nanny, but its easier than paying out for expensive International schools, which in my opinion are never worth the money.
(My kids have been in several over the years and hugely expensive ones)
My kids are now in upper highschool and are great students, largely I think, due to the fact they are more worldly having traveled. They are have less trouble with homework and study, as they are used to working alone.
Just an idea! Good luck

[yavannah]

How do you get into distance ESL? I had considered that, but so far the only posting for that I've seen wanted ppl w/ 5+ years of teaching experience.

[gypsywoman]

Hi,
I meant distance education for your child, rather than sending them to a school. It would make things simpler.
Cheers

[Vanica]

[mrsrhu]

[Vanica]

Mrsrhu, which country did you like the best with your son? I was in Thailand and Brazil for extended periods, before my daughter was born, and I was a bit on the wild side so I have absolutely no idea what either would be like for her and me now. My little one has delays but there are no services for her here in Quebec, she's already four and zero -- and I really think air quality and fresh food would help her so much more. Have any of you seen the satellite photos of global air quality? (ESA European Space Agency Envisat, I don't have the link because I downloaded it.) The only place worse than Eastern North America is ... Eastern China!

[Ganbei]

Hi Vanica

We're in a small town (although non stop activity) about 3hr from Wuhan.

Everything we need is here and if not the bus to Wuhan is just down the road.

We landed in Shanghai and I was relieved to get out of the chaos and isolation I felt there.

My son has heaps of friends and he's happy.That's the main thing for me.
The school lets him do his English homework in class-so,no drama.

[DainaJ]

[quote="mrsrhu"]

[Vanica]

I also prefer that my child go to local schools (and I am really shocked by the pricetag of international schooling -- some 10.000usd a year in Vientiane, for example). Besides, my daughter doesn`t speak English anyhow. But the whole point is to expose my daughter to another language and culture.

[DainaJ]

Vanica, you might want to look into international schools anyway. The benefits appear to be pretty good from what I have researched. You would have the qualifications, I think, and most of them offer free tuition for one dependent per teacher. Also, most of the ones I have looked at are at least bilingual (I am looking at English/Spanish, but there must be French bilingual schools, too). That said, however, we are ourselves weighing the issue of the expensive tuition (2 kids, but only one would potentially be paid for). To be honest, another issue is sending my kids into a very upper crust-type atmosphere in a poorer country and the implications of that.

Yavannah, my husband taught in Germany with a BA in English and a CELTA in the late 1990s, but the immigration requirements have now been tightened so as to make working in Europe pretty much impossible for non-EU passport holders. What about Eastern Europe (non-EU states) or Asia (the China option sounds doable from the above posts)? I guess international schools wouldn't be an option yet without a master's and experience. Good luck and let us know how things shape up.

[Vanica]

[DainaJ]

Yes, there are a lot of issues to hash through, and the conditions are probably different in each place. Lots to think about!

I am not sure. Maybe for American schools they do? I get mixed information just looking up various international schools on the Web. I probably should just write to each one. Actually, my DH is the teacher - I would be along for the ride continuing with my translation business. He will probably apply to a bunch of places and we'll sort it all out when he actually gets offers.

I find the option of public schools/homeschooling intriguing. Mrsrhu - could you elaborate on your kids' experiences?

[Vanica]

I am an ESL teacher and also a translator/interpreter (French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Yugoslavian languages.) Which languages are you translating?

[MELEE]