Most people would agree that one of the best things about Beijing’s international community is the wide range of cultures and languages you come into contact with. Being part of this community positively impacts our children’s development, helping them to grow into internationally-minded global citizens. However, since international schools in Beijing teach primarily in English, adapting to this new language environment can be a challenge for students from the international community who didn’t grow up in a primarily English-speaking household. 

In the distance past, some international schools teaching in English avoided or reduced the use of students’ home languages. However, research has increasingly shown that drawing on students’ home languages and cultural background can help to validate and enforce their personal identities, while also providing a strong foundation for learning other languages. 

CISB’s BML program includes one-on-one and small group instruction and co-teaching

This concept is at the core of the Bilingual and Multilingual Learners (BML) program at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB). “CISB has had a language support program since the school opened in 2006, but in 2019, our elementary school decided to change the name from English as an additional language to BML. We wanted to change the way we view BML/EAL students from a deficit to a strengths perspective, one that emphasizes competencies and potential, and focuses on resilience and empowerment,” Rose Muralla, BML department head, says. “We also wanted to create an environment that celebrates diversity in language and multilingualism.”

The goal of the BML program is to reach each child’s full language potential by making authentic links to their Homeroom class’s curriculum and providing a differentiated approach for each student. Data from in-class and formal assessments (including WIDA and MAP assessments) are used to determine a student’s needs, and the BML teacher designs targeted instruction in speaking, listening, reading, and writing using leveled texts and materials.

“I had a hard time writing sentences before joining the BML intervention program. Doing the different activities we do every day, now I feel more confident in writing sentences and trying to spell words on my own.” — Martina, grade 2

For example, for new students at CISB, the focus will be on building functional language to ease their transition. This might include building a bank of classroom vocabulary, such as classroom objects, and teaching phrases and sentence stems that will allow them to communicate with teachers and classmates. Sentence stems, in particular, can be useful for bilingual and multilingual learners, since they give children the tools to focus on what they are trying to say rather than how to say it. Grade 5 Chinese student Harry told jingkids that “in BML we can learn many things to use in my homeroom class. We use many materials. For example, we have tiny phones to hear yourself reading in a quiet voice. We also have A to Z blocks to make words.”

Regular BML support might include BML teachers supporting students in small groups or one on one, and co-planning and co-teaching with Homeroom teachers. “Having more than one teacher in the room creates multiple perspectives or ways of teaching a concept and gives another set of eyes for assessment or feedback about students that can contribute to meeting a student’s needs and recognizing gaps,” Rose explains. 

Students taking part in CISB’s reading intervention program

This year, the BML Department has also started a reading intervention program where students get extra support from CISB’s interventionists to develop reading, vocabulary, phonics and comprehension skills aside from the support they are regularly getting from the grade level BML teachers. At the end of the six weeks, the BML teacher, the homeroom teacher, and the intervention teacher determine if children need to continue in the intervention program. “BML intervention helped me learn reading strategies like sounding out the words (phonemes and graphemes) so I can read and write words and also to make a picture of what the words mean in my head,” grade 2 student Oskar says. 

“I struggled with phonics but now my phonics is good. I like my BML reading because I can find a lot of funny things in the stories.” — Cedrick, grade 5

Beyond simple English language proficiency, CISB’s BML program is about recognizing that although a student might come to CISB needing support in expressing themselves in English, they might already have the background knowledge to understand the concept they are learning in class in their mother tongue. As Rose concludes, “BML at CISB is different because we are not just supporting our BMLs with their English language skills but also empowering them to embrace and celebrate their mother tongue and culture.”  

Images courtesy of CISB

Thank you to the whole of the BML department for their invaluable contributions to this article

On the extensive checklist of things that need to be taken care of when moving to a new country or city, apart from finding a place to live, few things are more important for families with kids than finding the right school. A good school will not only give your children the tools they need to get the best out of their education, but will also function as a community for you and your family.

That’s all very well, but how should you go about choosing? While it may be easy to get sucked in by big brand names, attractive campuses, and fancy curricula that promise outstanding exam results, in the long run, the most important thing is to find a school with a learning philosophy that suits your child and a clear set of values that match your family’s. For Anthony Coles, Head of College at Dulwich College Beijing, the school’s seven values — resilience, confidence, respect, integrity, responsibility, open-mindedness, kindness — help to build a community and guide staff in nurturing students who not only succeed academically but who are “great people and great lifelong learners.”

Exploring the admissions process

No matter what age your children are, the admissions process at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) is designed to help prospective students explore those values while also putting them through their paces academically. As Director of Admissions and Marketing, See Kay Leong, explains, students undergo age-tailored entrance assessments and interviews with teachers and admissions staff to make sure that they are equipped for DCB’s academically-rigorous curriculum and also to explore any extra-curricular interests. This selectiveness is certainly not unique to DCB and is ultimately about making sure that both children and their parents are a good fit for the school community. As Leong notes, “it’s a two-way street; we want to make sure that our families are contributing to the school.”

As a result, the on-boarding process starts as soon as enrollment is confirmed, leveraging a variety of tools to help families get to know the school. Children are assigned a buddy that they meet both virtually and in person, and parents automatically become members of the school’s active parents association, Friends of Dulwich. If you are concerned about how you’ll know if your child is settling in ok (since, as we know, they don’t always tell their parents), look for a school like DCB that sets up “checkpoints” with a pastoral team consisting of the form tutor, head of year and key stage leader throughout the term for new students to make sure that no-one who is struggling slips through the cracks.

Now you’re speaking my language

One of the key considerations for students attending international schools in a foreign country should be if and how the school teaches the host country language. Beyond the obvious benefit of adding another language to your roster,  foreign language learning “helps develop overall communication skills and build confidence,” Coles says. DCB takes a dual language approach in Mandarin and English in Early Years (ages 3 to 7), exposing younger children to both languages in a natural learning context throughout the day. This gives children the confidence to actually use and understand language in a way that helps them get the most out of their lives in Beijing, in line with DCB’s mission to “Live Worldwise”.

Choosing the right curriculum can have an important effect on a child’s schooling, both in terms of their enjoyment and their success. Unlike where many of us will have gone to school in our home countries, where we probably studied a set national curriculum, international schools in Beijing are free to choose their own curriculum. We published a breakdown of the various curriculum on offer in Beijing in this year’s School Choice Guide. Children up to age 5 at DCB follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, and from Year 1 to Year 9, they follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales, enhanced to meet the needs of the school’s diverse student body. The English National Curriculum is not only highly structured and academically rigorous, but since it is also taught widely by schools around the world, it enables children to pick up where they left off in the event you have to move schools (or countries!). In Year 10 DCB students begin the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), a rigorous two-year course that prepares students well for the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) starting in Year 12.

Beyond the classroom

Sports and arts programs often end up being the most memorable part of the school experience — who can remember their 8th grade math classes but who could forget the first time they lifted a trophy with their sports team? The benefits of these kind of non-academic activities are myriad, from building team work skills to improving time management. “In essence, [extra-curricula activities are] about balance, helping students build interests and confidence beyond academic settings,” explains Coles. If your child has already demonstrated an aptitude for a specific sport or instrument, then finding a school that has a good track record in that field might end up being your number one consideration.

As two of DCB’s four pillars of education (the others being academic excellence and service to others), sports and creative arts are well-served by state-of-the-art theaters, football and cricket pitches, and even a green screen film studio for budding Spielbergs — to name but a few. Coles also notes that being part of an international network of six colleges in Asia gives DCB students a platform to showcase their talents to a wider audience through network-wide events like the Dulwich Olympiad and the MADD (Music, Art, Drama and Dance) Festival for Junior School students, which still took place online this year despite the influence of the pandemic.

House System

One of the most important things for new students to settle in a school is the care and support they receive from their teachers and classmates. The system of pastoral care is highly developed at Dulwich College Beijing. Teachers and form tutors here are responsible not only for every student’s academic development, but also for ensuring they receive the pastoral support they need. DCB has a pastoral support team for students at all levels, and all of them follow a Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) course appropriate to their age and coordinated across the year groups.

Feeling intrigued by the Hogwarts Houses? DCB students have their own House system, an integral part of the College pastoral care structure! On arriving at DCB, all students are allocated to one of five Houses, where they remain during their time at DCB. DCB’s Houses are named after inspirational and accomplished people: Edward Alleyn, Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, Jesse Owens, Soong Ching-ling and Amy Johnson.

The House System builds a sense of community within the student body and helps to develop students’ leadership skills. House Captains and students are responsible for helping to organise House activities, which normally take the form of friendly competitions.

Coles emphasizes that “young people need to feel safe and protected to learn effectively. Children with a sense of belonging feel accepted, loved, and connected to others as a part of a community. Our responsibility to base our daily interactions on solid known values and to build a positive learning culture is critical for our students to develop a deep sense of belonging at school that reflects how accepted, respected, and supported they feel in their social context at school.”

At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing a school. It is often a trial and error experience, particularly for younger children who may not yet have developed a distinct learning style or shown an interest in sports or the arts. However, look beyond the headline stats and choose a school that aligns with the values you want to instill in your child, and you may just find yourself part of a community that grows and learns along with you.

Images courtesy of Dulwich College Beijing

It’s the ultimate winter holiday dilemma: do you embrace the cold or grab your sunscreen and escape to warmer climes? Wherever you choose to go, with Christmas and New Year rapidly approaching, it’s better to start making plans now, as China’s most popular destinations get booked up quickly.

Now is the perfect time to book with Accor’s Double 11 flash sale. For 48 hours only, organize your stays for the rest of the year and enjoy up to 50% off some of the most luxuriously comfortable suites around, with more than 140 hotels to suit all budgets and tastes available in the sale.

From November 10-11, 2021, members of ALL – Accor Live Limitless can enjoy the following discounts and benefits when booking participating Accor hotels (for stays between November 10 and December 31, 2021):

• Up to 50% off suites with complimentary breakfast.
• 30% discount on basic room types. Accor Plus members enjoy an additional 10% discount. 

Read on to discover two of our favorite destinations this winter.

Hit the slopes at Changbai Mountain

Beijing may be hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, but you need to travel a bit further north to find China’s best slopes.

Located in Jilin province at the border of China and North Korea, Changbai Mountain (aka Changbaishan) is on a similar latitude to Switzerland and is one of the best places in China to enjoy snowy scenery. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano, and an incredibly picturesque lake, known as Heaven Lake, sits in the caldera at the top.

Both the north and west slopes of the mountain are open to tourists (the east slope is off limits as it is in North Korea!), but the west slope offers both the best access to Heaven Lake and better skiing. There are slopes to suit skiers of every level, from beginners to challenging red and black runs and even International Ski Federation certified cross country runs. Equipment rental is available at hotels or the scenic area.

Recreate that Swiss ski resort feeling at Swissôtel Changbaishan

As one of China’s premier skiing destinations, Changbaishan boasts a wide range of hotels to suit every family. Lean into the Swiss connection at Swissôtel Resort Changbaishan, which blends Swiss ski resort-style with local northeastern Chinese characteristics. The hotel features 684 rooms built right into the mountains, including 24 individual family lodges constructed from imported pine wood. Inspired by healthy, outdoor lifestyles, Swissôtel incorporates the concept of “Live It Well” into every detail, from sleeping to dining in one of the hotel’s four uniquely-themed restaurants.   

Mountain vistas are built into every aspect of The View Changbai Mountain MGallery

Mountain views are built into every aspect of The View Changbai Mountain MGallery, the area’s only high-end boutique hotel, boasting just 49 rooms. Nestled in the heart of the forest and with majestic Changbai Mountain rising in the distance, serenity is the watchword here, the perfect place to refresh body and mind. For a unique experience, relax in the outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi while enjoying the views.

The Pullman Changbaishan is located close to ski facilities

The Pullman Changbaishan Resort is just 3 minutes away from the entrance to the west slope scenic area, with easy access to two famous ski resorts, Luneng and Wanda. The winter forest location is thoughtfully integrated into every part of the resort — the buildings are connected by a glassed-in corridor so guests can enjoy the snowy scenery without catching a chill. Both parents and kids alike will love finding out more about the unique culture of this part of northeastern China in the guest hub, which is also home to two friendly sika deer, which are native to this region.

Work on your tan in Sanya

For a fun beach getaway, it doesn’t get better than “the Hawaii of China”: Hainan. Most families rightly head to Sanya for its long sandy beaches and tropical weather — especially perfect during the winter dry season. If you want to escape the crowds, Haitang Bay is our top choice, home to a number of newer, high-quality hotels.

Haitang Bay is also the perfect place to get the whole family involved with water sports. For example, just across the water from Haitang Bay, Wuzhizhou Coral Island offers fantastic opportunities for snorkeling in its crystal clear waters.

Fairmont Sanya’s leafy grounds are just waiting for you to explore

Fairmont Sanya, the Fairmont brand’s latest hotel in China, is a 15-minute ferry ride away from Wuzhizhou, and water is built into every aspect of the hotel, too. The Yun River seawater canal, the first of its kind in a hotel, snakes around the property and can be toured in a dragon boat steered by staff of in your own paddleboat — think Venice, but with tropical temperatures. The outdoor pool has multiple areas for kids to play and parents to relax, and there is a kids club to keep young hands occupied while parents tour the on-site Wood Art Gallery, filled with Ming and Qing-era wooden treasures.

With so many activities on offer, you’ll never get bored at Sofitel Sanya

A few minutes from Fairmont Sanya, Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort celebrates the “Art de Vivre,” with Sofitel’s signature thoughtful French touches incorporated into everything from dining to room amenities from Lanvin or L’Occitane. There are fun-filled activities for kids and adults alike, including helicopter sightseeing, Le Bakery, indoor go-karting, tennis courts, a kid’s club and kid’s pool, and more.

Relax into the island lifestyle at Raffles Hainan

For a true escape from it all, Raffles Hainan is a tropical hideaway in the quieter Clearway Bay. As one might expect from Singapore’s most famous hotel brand, the whole resort has a truly Southeast Asian feel to it, incorporating a mix of Balinese and local Hainan ethnic architecture. The extensive tropical grounds stretch right down to the white sandy beach, with multiple pools to explore. Raffles’ Rascals Kids Club will entertain the little ones while adults enjoy a spa treatment or a signature Hainan Sling cocktail in the Long Bar. Seven restaurant and bar choices, from fresh seafood to Italian cuisine to Hainan specialties will make sure no one goes hungry.

Live the high life at Clear Water Bay Yacht Club

Ever wanted to have your own yacht? You can get at least a taste of the highlife by hiring a private yacht for a few hours at nearby Clearwater Bay Yacht Club. Prices are surprisingly affordable (ask the hotel concierge to help with pricing and bookings), and the boats usually anchor out in the bay so you can enjoy water sports like jet skiing.

Images: courtesy of Accor, Shutterstock/kikujunboyCC Shutterstock/ZCFei

With border restrictions still in place, many families in Beijing are making plans to travel around China this summer. Just a five-hour high-speed train ride (or a quick 90-minute flight) away from Beijing, Xi’an is the perfect choice for a weekend trip that is easily accessible from Beijing and has something that everyone in the family will love, from history and culture to oodles of incredible local noodles.

Whether you are planning an action-packed weekend or just want to lounge around watching Pixar movies and ordering room service, you can make this summer’s getaway extra special with a stay at Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an.

Luxury the whole family will love

Originally opened as a state guesthouse in 1953, the grand building known today as the Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an is like a living museum. It is the only Sofitel Legend hotel in China and one of only six in the world. Kids will love exploring all of the hotel’s nooks and crannies, especially the leafy green grounds outside.

Cool off after a long day in the hotel swimming pool

In fact, there’s something for kids and adults alike when you choose the hotel’s special summer holiday package (see more details below). Kids will discover special welcome amenities when you check into your ultra-luxurious room, while adults can relax after a long day with a spa treatment, enjoying spa credit as a special treat for in-house guests! As soon as you walk in to the hotel, you also enjoy the personalized services of a 24-hour butler, taking the stress out of making arrangements both inside and outside of the hotel. 

Have your butler arrange a once-in-a-lifetime meal for your family

Dining options abound, with a range of restaurants serving international cuisines. Contemporary Japanese restaurant Koi is the perfect place to refuel in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere after a long day. This summer, Koi has an all-you-can-eat deal that gives your the opportunity to enjoy all the best of Japanese cuisine, from sushi to teppanyaki to yakitori. You can even get a taste of Xi’an cuisine without leaving your hotel at Chinese restaurant Le Chinois, which serves a selection of Xi’an favorites alongside a menu of contemporary Cantonese cuisine.

Ask a butler: Top five things to do in with kids Xi’an

The butlers at the Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an aren’t just knowledgeable about the hotel and its history — they are also Xi’an experts. We asked butler Danny Shao for his recommendations for the best things to do in Xi’an as a family once you’ve finished making the most of the hotel facilities. Even if you’ve seen the Terracotta Warriors and explored the markets in the Muslim Quarter before, there are still plenty of fun sights and attractions to explore.

The hotel is located in the heart of the walled city center, within easy walking distance of some of the most popular sights. It is also a 5-10 minute walk to Wulukou Station on metro lines 2 and 4, the latter of which takes you directly to Tang Paradise.

Hire a bike and circumnavigate the Xi’an city walls

Bike around the city walls

Got a bunch of hyperactive kids on your hands? One sure-fire way to ensure that the whole family sleeps well that night is to rent a bicycle and cycle around the walls. The circumference of the walls is around 13.7km but it’s completely flat, so you should be able to complete it in around 1.5-2 hours. There are tandems available for littler legs that might not be able to make it all the way around on their own. Before you set out, fuel up for the day ahead with breakfast at Dolce Vita, which is served semi-buffet style with both Western and Chinese options available to order to suit every palate.

You can get up onto the wall from Zhongshan Gate, which is nearest to the hotel (15-20 minutes’ walk), but the most popular place to rent a bike is the South Gate. Regular bike rental costs RMB 45/three hours or RMB 90/three hours for a tandem, plus a RMB 100 deposit. You can return the bicycles to any of the gates before 6pm or to the South Gate before 8pm.

The hotel grounds are a peaceful oasis in the city

Explore the hotel grounds

It’s not every day you can say that your hotel’s grounds used to be part on an imperial palace. The landscaped grounds are not only venerable — some of the trees are more than 300 years old! — but also beautiful, with more than 40,000M² to explore. If biking around the city walls doesn’t tire everyone out, then playing in the garden certainly will. If the weather is fine, why not ask your butler to book afternoon tea in the garden for the whole family? The hotel offers seasonal afternoon tea and a traditional French “Le Gouter” afternoon tea with a selection of eight carefully hand-crafted snacks.

Ever stayed in a hotel that has its very own museum?

Have you ever stayed in a hotel that has its own museum? You have now! The on-site museum doesn’t just feature lots of interesting stories about the hotel itself, but it is also a great way to learn more about the history of Xi’an. You can read more about the hotel and the surrounding area in the history book commissioned for the opening of the hotel in 2014, written by historian and writer and founder of The Most Famous Hotels in the World, Andreas Augustin.

Tang Paradise is one of the city’s top attractions

Tang Paradise

Tang Paradise is the world’s first Tang Dynasty theme park — don’t worry, it’s much cooler than it sounds. The park is best-known for the “Dream of the Great Tang Dynasty” show that takes place every night, featuring hundreds of performers dressed in traditional costumes. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, the colorful visuals speak for themselves!

The park is best visited at night when all the buildings are lit up. Head over to catch the show at 5pm, and then stay on and explore the park. Don’t miss the incredible light show projected onto the surface of the lake.

Daily 9am-10pm (show starts at 5pm). 99 Furong Xilu, Yanta District
大唐芙蓉园：雁塔区芙蓉西路99号

Asia’s largest water fountain is right here in Xi’an

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda North Square Music fountain

Water, lights, and music combine to create the largest water fountain in Asia right in the centre of Xi’an. The fountain reaches up to 60m into the air and creates incredible shapes like dragons, birds, and lotus flowers.

On weekends, the musical fountain show takes place at noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 9pm. If you don’t mind staying up late, try to watch the 9pm show as the fountain is best viewed after dark so you can see all the colored lights. Get there 20-30 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot, especially on weekends.

3 Furong Donglu, Yanta District
大雁塔北广场：雁塔区芙蓉东路3号

Eat your heart out on local snacks at Yong Xing Fang

Yong Xing Fang

Just a 15-minute walk from the Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an, Yong Xing Fang is a Tang Dynasty-style street with more than 50 different stalls and restaurants selling snacks from across Shaanxi province. The street comes alive in the evening when there are live folk music performances and all the stalls are out peddling their wares.

Noodles and skewers and pancakes, oh my!

Many of the most popular Xi’an snacks are great for kids, including roujiamo (aka Chinese burgers) and slurpy biangbiang noodles (ask for toppings like stir-fried egg and tomato and no chili oil to make sure it’s not too spicy).

100m northwest of the intersection of Dongxin Jie and Shuncheng Donglu, Xincheng District
永兴坊：新城区东新街与顺城东路北段交叉口西北100米

The Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an family package is priced at RMB 3,188 net, including a two-night stay with breakfast for two adults and one child, a one-time free minibar, and daily happy hour (5.30-7.30pm). Extend your stay in Xi’an with 15 percent off the best available rate on your third or fourth night (when you reserve the family package). For reservations, please email reservations@renminsquare.com or call 029 8792 8888.

Images: Shutterstock, courtesy of Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an

Despite everything that the last year of the pandemic took away from us, one of the things it did give many of us was time at home. Lots and lots (and lots) of time. With all that time on our hands, whether in Beijing or abroad, it’s no surprise that our minds ended up wandering towards some of life’s bigger questions.

That is exactly how Beijing residents Pilaxy and Julie – aka P&J – came up with the idea for a new project, Me Market, making its debut at Tongli Market in Shunyi on Saturday, Jun 19. The disruption to their routines and the time they spent in lockdown prompted the duo to reconsider their roles in life, both in Beijing and beyond. Were they professionals, wives, mothers, or something else? How does this influence how society sees them and what potential might they have outside of these roles?

P&J came up with the idea for Me Market after discussing their dream of opening a sandwich company — which they are debuting at the market!

Me Market offers a platform — in the form of a craft market, as the name suggests — for people who may feel constrained by their role in life and want an outlet to express themselves creatively. That might be via a side hustle that they hope to turn into something bigger or just a personal passion project. “When we are in constant search for a sense of belongingness to one group or another over the course of our lives, at times we can get lost or feel trapped by different values or roles,” Julie explains.

P&J hopes that Me Market will not only be a place to sell things, but also a place for the community to connect and where people can feel comfortable talking openly about their personal goals and anxieties. In line with the theme of the event, all of the vendors’ booth rental fees are being donated to Beijing-based mental health non-profit CandleX, an organization that aims to increase awareness and knowledge of depression and bipolar disorder and reduce the social stigma attached to mental illness.

The market will feature a diverse range of vendors, some of whom are hosting a stall at this kind of market for the first time. There will also be a number of charities present at the market, including Lost Puppies and Love and Hope, the latter of which provides vocational training courses to migrant and rural left-behind teenagers.

Grade 4 student Claire makes handmade coasters

P&J also hopes that the market will set a positive example for children and teens in terms of opening up about mental health and other personal issues. “How can we as adults be role models for our children? How do our next generation see us?” Pilaxy asks. “[Through Me Market we want to show that] we are all different and we all have a story to tell.” Several young people will have their own stalls at the market, such as Grade 11 student Ashely, who started her press-on nails idea “Are You Pressed?” for her IB CAS project, and Grade 4 student Claire, the youngest vendor at the market, who designs and hand-makes coasters.

“Every big leap starts with a baby step,” Julie says. “With this market, Pilaxy and I are sharing our baby step with you. It is our hope that our baby step will motivate more people to dream about their own big leap.” Catch Me Market at Tongli Market on Saturday, Jun 19, from 11am to 6pm. If you would like more information about this event or future events, please contact Julie (WeChat ID: babyonthebus).

KEEP READING: This Weekend’s Top Family Events (Jun 11-13)

Images courtesy of the organizers

The ups and downs of expat life can mean frequent changes of scenery for both parents and kids, and while we may feel equipped to deal with them, our kids may not be so flexible, especially when it comes to moving schools. If a change is unavoidable, what can parents do to prepare, and what measures do schools have in place to ease the effects of transition?

Why?

First, it is helpful to consider (and be prepared for) some of the main reasons why kids might need to move schools. The most common reasons Jonathan Augat, Head of Admissions and Marketing at Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB), comes across are parents changing jobs or leaving a posting, although he also notes that “students occasionally look to change schools if they’re looking for specific programs that their current school doesn’t offer, whether it’s sports programs or performing arts, to use two examples.”

In rare cases, insurmountable difficulties with a particular style of teaching or a social conflict may prompt a move. “Families have diverse and different reasons for switching schools,” Anthony Coles, Head of College, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), tells Jingkids. “No matter what [the reason], it’s universal that parents want the best-fit school for their children. Not every school is a good fit for every child.”

When?

Say you have to move schools, be strategic with the time of year, aiming for the end of the school year or, at a minimum, the end of a semester. “In most Beijing schools, there is a winter break and/or Chinese New Year break, which signals the end of a semester. Students will have exams at the end of the semester, as well as receiving a report card. If your child is going to change schools, this is a good time to choose,” Augat recommends. “It allows them to provide their new school with a report from their first semester, as well as giving the students a chance to get used to their new school without joining in the middle of a semester.”

Megan Sinclair, Admissions Manager at The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi, notes that age can also influence the consequences of moving schools. For example, while older students may be more cognizant of the reasons behind a school change, especially one that is out of their control, they may also be closer in age to important examinations, which all the schools we spoke to cautioned is a time to avoid moving schools. “For students who are undertaking two-year examination programs such as the GCSEs or the IB Diploma, it is crucial for the student to remain for the program’s entirety,” Sinclair emphasizes. Even if they move to a school that offers the same curriculum, “individual schools may use different exam boards, teach other content or texts, and the sequences they deliver are likely to be different across all subjects,” she adds.

How?

Change schools at the wrong time and the sky certainly won’t fall, but there could be both short and long-term effects on your child’s education. “Research and [DCB’s] own track record have shown that the longer a student stays within a consistent environment, the more rewarding it is when it comes to the student’s learning and development,” Coles cautions.

Nevertheless, families can mitigate the impacts of switching schools in a number of ways, primarily by involving kids in the process from the start. Sinclair suggests that visiting a school before the first day, meeting teachers, and seeing classrooms and facilities can all be extremely helpful. If kids will be studying a new curriculum, parents could familiarize themselves with it in advance and start to integrate this new learning style into home studies, something that Coles encourages at DCB: “We believe that if the parents possess the same educational philosophy and methods at home like the school does, then the student will enjoy the maximum learning benefits.” Even doing a trial run of school bus routes can help alleviate first day nerves.

The short answer to the question, “is there ever a good time to move schools?” is that there is no short answer. While a lack of consistency in a child’s education can affect their progress and mental wellbeing, in the event they are struggling with a particular curriculum or having a conflict with a teacher or peer, moving schools may be the best thing for them. In Beijing, at least, we are lucky to have a school community that is used to welcoming new arrivals from all over the world and is dedicated to helping kids settle in as quickly as possible. Be sure to make use of all of the resources on offer should you need to move schools.

Questions to Ask Before Changing Schools

Provided by Anthony Coles, Head of College, Dulwich College Beijing

• Does the new school fit my child’s needs in terms of curriculum, programs, values, wellbeing and safeguarding, facilities, and environment?

• Does the school provide a thorough and personalized on-boarding process for the student to enjoy a positive and rewarding settling-in experience?

• Has the school established a reputable partnership with the community for the parents to collaborate with the school in raising a happy and well-balanced child?

KEEP READING: Take a Tour of Your Top Schools – Virtually! 

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 January issue

Cutting-edge cafeteria facilities are often touted as a selling point for schools but as well as making sure bellies are full, cafeterias can also play a key role in a school’s sustainability commitments. The types of accessible, community-led initiatives that can be put in place in cafeterias are a great way to get kids engaged with sustainability and foster positive habits for life. We talked to a couple of Beijing schools about how they are making their school dining more sustainable.

Changing Habits, One Meal at a Time

Long recognized as a healthy diet choice, reducing our consumption of animal products is now known to have a positive environmental impact. Many schools in Beijing are getting in on the action, whether by adding plant-based options to the menu or through specific events such as Meat-Free Monday. Matthew Yamatin, sustainability manager at the International School of Beijing (ISB), told Jingkids that in 2019, their students and staff worked with Sodexo food services to dedicate one of their four main serving lines to a vegetarian option. With more and more people switching to plant-based ways of eating — in a survey of students and staff, ISB found that around 10% follow a vegetarian or vegan diet — schools can’t afford to ignore this trend.

In fact, for many schools, reducing the quantity of animal products served in the cafeteria often comes as part of a suite of food sustainability goals. “Eat local and ‘eat seasonal’ has been our food program’s philosophy [for many]years,” Jennifer Yeh, operations manager overseeing food service at Daystar Academy‘s Beigao campus, tells us. They source much of their fresh produce direct from farmers, many of whom are vendors at the popular Beijing Farmers’ Market events, and where they offer plant-based options, they stick to making dishes from scratch rather than using processed meat substitutes.

Say “No” to Single-Use Plastics

We all know that we should reduce our consumption of single-use plastics, and schools are no exception. For example, in 2019, ISB eliminated single-use plastic bottles, straws, stirrers, and utensils from the food service operations — they now use paper straws and metal utensils. They also replaced single-use coffee cups with durable ceramic mugs. There is an RMB 2 fee for parents needing a coffee to go, the proceeds of which go to student-centered environmental projects. Daystar’s plastic reduction efforts also extend to parents. When the school holds public events that involve food, parents are encouraged to bring their own utensils or can purchase biodegradable utensils if they forget.

Clean Plates Mean Reduced Waste

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, almost a third of all food produced for human consumption. A 2015 report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences suggested that in China alone, the amount of food wasted every year could feed 30-50 million people. Since then, Chinese president Xi Jinping has made food waste the target of an ongoing national campaign, doubling down in 2020 after describing the amount of food wasted in the country as “shocking and distressing.” Many schools have joined in with “clean plate” campaigns that encourage responsible eating habits.

Jennifer notes that food waste has always been a focus of Daystar’s food program. “We offer two main dishes, one Chinese, one Western,… every day. Students are welcome to refill their plates as many times as they want; however, each time, only one main dish will be served,” she explains. “We want students to have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the food on its own. By doing so, students tend to ask for smaller quantities as they often go back for a second or third serving with a different entrée choice.”

The cafeteria environment itself can contribute to reducing food waste; by making the cafeteria a pleasant space to eat and giving kids sufficient time to enjoy their food, they are less likely to waste it. At ISB, for example, they recently added sound-dampening panels to the ceiling in the cafeteria to make it easier for students to hear one another and redesigned the south-facing wall to allow more natural light into the space.

Sustainability Starts at Home

Not every child eats school lunches, but that doesn’t necessarily mean missing out on making sustainable contributions — you can do your bit even if you are bringing lunches from home.

• Start with small changes such as sending kids to school with a refillable water bottle instead of bottled or boxed drinks (most Beijing schools encourage this anyway).

• Swap out plastic wrap or sandwich bags for reusable beeswax food wraps, which can be bought from The Bulk House or from Taobao – search for “蜂蜡保鲜布(fēng là bǎo xiān bù).”

• Buy fruit and vegetables loose from local markets rather than pre-wrapped from the supermarket.

• Try your hand at making homemade versions of popular packaged treats.

• Get kids involved in shopping for ingredients and making lunches.

• Explain what you are doing and why, which will foster good habits from an early age.

What Can Kids Do?

Keystone Academy Year 4 class looked at their school life and found a few different ways that students can help, which students Amy and Jeffrey described in detail to a live audience at the Global Climate Change webinar on November 5, 2020

• Meatless Monday in the cafeteria because factory farming counts for 1/3 of carbon emissions annually.

• Check that all classrooms have paper recycling bins next to printers and trash receptacles.

• Their school has a greenhouse and gardens, where students are able to see how the cycle of life works in real-time: plants feed fish, fish feed plants, they can create compost to help feed their gardens, which in turn cultivates worms in compost to feed the fish.

• Many teachers switched to using Seesaw, Padlet, and Microsoft Teams to reduce paper consumption.

• They are in the process of researching the viability of installing solar panels on school roofs, working with administrations across the departments to see how feasible it is.

• Students also shared how they felt about food wastage, and are still working to find solutions to this problem.

KEEP READING: Waste Not, Want Not: One Student Looks Back at Her Journey to Sustainability

Images: Unsplash

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 January issue

A good massage can be a boon for both body and soul, but can it benefit others, too? If you have spent any time in Beijing or other cities in China, you probably noticed buildings advertising “blind massage” (盲人按摩, mángrén ànmó), and wondered a) why there are so many, and b) if the people giving the massages are actually blind. It turns out that in the latter half of the 20th century, massage became a preferred profession for people with limited vision.

According to the World Blind Union Asia Pacific, as of 2018, there were more than 17.5 million people with limited vision or blindness in China, making up one of the country’s largest disabled groups. Although disabled people in China receive official legal and governmental support, and many industries have introduced diversity and inclusion policies, blind or low vision people still lack access to employment opportunities. To a certain extent, blind massage has become a route out of poverty and unemployment for some visually impaired people.

In China, massage as a career specifically targeted at the blind dates back to the 1950s. Massage practice was codified in the 1990s when the China Massage Association of Blind Practitioners was established in 1996. Following the growth and opening up of China’s economy in the 1990s, massage parlors both blind and otherwise sprung up in cities across the country as people gained more disposable income and leisure time, and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation encouraged the establishment of training facilities and licensing procedures for blind masseurs.

Despite many having recognized qualifications from institutions such as Beijing Blind Massage Guidance Center, for the longest time, even qualified blind masseurs were unable to work in medical institutions. In 2016, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Traditional Chinese Medicine changed the prospects for many masseurs, offering recognition of their professional skills and allowing some to substantially increase their income.

The massage practiced at blind massage parlors is usually a form of 推拿, tuīná (literally “push and pinch”), a traditional Chinese massage technique that is used as an “external” treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (as opposed to “internal” treatments like tonics and medicines). The massage is done over the clothes and is more of a medicinal treatment than a relaxation technique — no cucumber water, soft lighting, and essential oils here. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you won’t leave feeling relaxed.

It is claimed that people who are blind are better masseurs, due to the lack of visual cues stimulating their ability to feel out areas of tension. This is particularly key for tuīná massage since it involves such a wide range of tactile techniques, including kneading, pinching, and stretching. Certainly, at my local massage parlor, the masseuse was instantly able to home in on my wonky shoulders from years of carrying my laptop around in unsuitable tote bags. He manipulated the knots in my muscles with ease, and once I had come down from the ceiling — this is not necessarily a pain-free experience — he explained that massage is all about restoring balance, both externally, like my uneven shoulder muscles, but also internally, focusing on the flow of energy around the body.

Blind massage has, to a certain extent, created more balanced access to employment opportunities for blind people in Beijing, but there is still a way to go before this group can enjoy the same freedom of work and daily life as people without disabilities. That being said, it is definitely worth visiting your local blind massage parlor to see if you notice a difference in the technique of the therapists, but be sure to check that it is above-board and licensed (if in doubt, ask, and check their Dianping reviews).

Where to go

Beijing Massage Hospital

7 Baochan Hutong, Xicheng District, 北京按摩医院：西城区宝产胡同7号

6616 8880

Qingsong Manxing Blind Massage

Daily 10.30am-11.30pm. 1/F, Building 3, Shuiduizi Beili, Chaoyang District, 轻松漫行盲人按摩：朝阳区水碓子北里3号楼底商

6505 7727

Taihe Massage

Daily 10am-11pm. 2/F, west side of Lvju Hotel, 12 Hepingli Dongjie, Dongcheng District, 太和盲人按摩：东城区和平里东街12号旅居酒店西侧楼二层

134 2640 6669

KEEP READING: 8 Ways to Give More Meaningful Presents

Photos: Shutterstock

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 December issue