Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
Hello Everyone,
I live in Seasons Park and I am looking for a local bilingual (chinese/english) school for my son, 3 years old.
I have visited Beijing n°1 Kindergarten located behind Seasons Park. They offer a bilingual program and It looks like a nice school but there are no expat kids going there..which is not a problem at all for me...but I am only wandering why ? Is there any reason I am not aware of and I should consider before sending my son there ?
And for comparison I would like to visit other schools at a walking distance or short trip distance from Seasons Park..I would rather consider the local schools than the pricey international schools.
Like every parent, I do feel concerned by the quality of the teaching and the safety of the environment. So anyone who could share their experience about the local school where they are sending their kid would help me a lot !
Many thanks in advance.
Best.
Cecile
Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
I have wondered the same thing. Never investigated very closely but figured it was because they were not "authorized" to accept foreign children. Some of the schools simply can't because of policy. Not sure about this school, but would love to have someone confirm that in this discussion.
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
I am also wondering the same thing. Maybe because there is a limited number of teachers who can speak English in local schools and they leave it up to the International schools. I would not want my daughter to go to a school where she is not understood and vice versa.
Wilderness programs for special children.
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
From what I can make out of this Chinese article, they do accept foreign kids, but I'd call and ask or set up an appointment to speak with someone.
I wouldn't know for sure, but I would imagine that most expat kids in the area are going to the nearby Ivy Academy and not many parents have considered the local kindergartens in the area, hence no foreign kids in that school as of yet.
As for the "bilingual program" - these type of programs most often consist of a foreign teacher who comes in and teaches English to the kids for an hour or two in the afternoon a few days a week (as is the case out our daughter's school). The curriculum is pretty much all Chinese otherwise.
I think if you're looking to get your son fully immersed in a Chinese environment so he can learn Mandarin, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him go to a local kindergarten like this for a year or two and then switch him to an international school.
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
Hi we are also moving to Beijing with a 3.5 yo et a baby of 6mths. We are looking for a kindergarten,
mixed with locals and foreigners.
Cecil would love to get in touch.
Netta
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
Do you know what part of town you will live in yet?
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
any updates on this discussion? Very interested in hearing the outcomes of the choices and what happened...
MommieQ
Kind words are like Honey ~
Sweet to taste & Good for your health
www.mommieq.wordpress.com
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Re: Local bilingual school next to Seasons Park ???
I am also staying at Season's Park currently. I have a 9-yr old daughter and a 4+ son.
I have initially place my son at Sweet Angel kindergarten (which is walking distance) but switch to another kindergarten after 1 month. I want my son to be good in Chinese but at the same time, learning English is also very important to me. This kindergarten only have local Chinese teacher to teach simple english. They do have international class but with all ages mix together which I dislike.
Now, my son is in Huijia kindergarten (Anzhen Campus) and he likes this school. It is a bilingual school and on PYP system. As the school is not walking distance, I have arranged for school bus to ferry him to and fro from school. Perhaps you can take a look at their website : www.hjkids.com
The fees for each campus are different.
Hope the info helps.
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