When Tina Hu first learned English at her middle school in the city of Wanyuan reciting vocabulary and grammar rules, she didn’t imagine that she would one day teach the language to other children as a passion.

Tina grew up in Sichuan. During her childhood, English was taught very traditionally, without any focus on reading and writing, rather, the procedures centered around repeating and reciting. It was not until her time at Tsinghua University that she received the unexpected opportunity of studying abroad at the University of Toronto that Tina first started to realize, learning a language did not mean knowing it. In Canada, she found that a good test score was not much more important than a good habit of reading the newspaper.

Tina began exploring English education with her own child. Because of the many years she had spent in an English-speaking environment and having an honest passion for the language, Tina created an efficient yet kid-friendly plan. Soon, this schedule that was tailor designed for her own kid’s learning interested a group of other families in the community, and what resulted was Tina’s first reading club for younger children.

Ever since then, Tina has been constantly refining her understanding of English learning pathways, using her experiences as a manager at an international high-tech company as an inspiration for her passion.

Now, if you ask her about her general thoughts on English learning, she will say, “Learning English is like learning to drive: one way to do it is to practice, again and again, in a driving school; another way—a better way to do it—it to travel the world”. With this perspective, Tina’s reading club has included almost 40 kids in the past 9 years. The club is an environment for the kids to grow a reading habit, and to enjoy the English learning process.

I asked Tina about what advice she had for young children, especially during this summer when the school will not be around to keep the kids’ progress in check.

Q: If you were to simplify your idea of an English learning process, what steps would there be?

A: The first phase, for someone who’s not a native speaker, it’s best to start by knowing the sound of English, and listening to things like TV programs, English songs, podcasts, etc. Phonics, which is the bridge between sound and printed words, is the second step. After that there is leveled reading, such as the system Reading A-To-Z. Only after all of this do we have independent reading.

Q: What do you think is the most important factor for continued improvement in English?

A: We normally break down English learning into reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The first two are inputs, and the last two are outputs, which are what we are looking for in the end. But to be able to output, we first need input. I think reading and listening are vital to improving your English.

Q: What are the benefits of reading and listening?

A: Can you move without having any muscles? It’s the same here. At the most fundamental level, I think reading—which is the capability of processing text—is the most basic skill that enables students to do anything else—analyze, critically think, etc. I think of language as the “open sesame” moment. Also, we always say that your body or your soul, one of them has to be on the road, and reading books or listening to text are both like traveling. On top of this, having been an employee at a high-tech company for 20 years, I can see that the lack of diversified and deep reading has become a barrier in both the creativity and empathy of young engineers, and I believe that this isn’t a singular phenomenon.

Q: Why is it important for young children to maintain healthy reading/listening habits during the summer?

A: The summer holiday is when kids have a lot of time to focus on reading. If they can immerse themselves in reading regularly during the holiday, at the end of the summer when they return, they’ve made memories, and they’ve also gained familiarity and fluency in English. Also, out of all the time slots present in a year I think this holiday is one of the best times. People say it takes 21 days to build a habit, so I believe that the summer is the most convenient time ever under such a rule!

Q: What are a few tips you can give to families to help their kids with English this summer?

A: Number one, find books that kids like to read. Like, books they actually want to read. The summer is for fun, and building a reading habit should be fun. Number two, practice reading aloud. Reading aloud is pretty much a forgotten art, but doing it habitually over a long time produces amazing fluency in reading. Number three, talk about books that kids are reading with them. Kids like to discuss, and the conversation will make them think deeper, as well as intrigue them. At last, for the parents—I know this is hard but—forget about scores and grades. At least for the summer, reading and listening don’t need to be test-oriented.

To get in contact with Tina, add her on WeChat: tritonbj.

Images: Tina Hu

I once had a friend who always said he tries to learn one new thing every day and that if we ever stopped learning we might as well give up and die. For some reason, that really spoke to me. Just because we’re no longer in school doesn’t mean the learning should ever stop.

Whether it’s pursuing an MBA program, learning a language, or tackling a new recipe, keeping your brain engaged and developing helps us keep our sanity in check.

For those who share a passion for learning, add TBJButler on WeChat to request to join the new Lifelong Learning in Beijing WeChat group.

This group is dedicated to lifelong learning and adult education opportunities in Beijing. The rules are simple: Post anything you want related to adult learning in Beijing — whether it be Basket Weaving, Cooking, Mandarin language, or an MBA.

Discussion and questions are welcome. This group is NOT for children’s courses (we have other groups for that).

It is also not for general events — for an opportunity to be posted here there needs to be a genuine learning outcome associated with the activity. When in doubt, ask the admin in advance.

You can find everything from martial arts to book clubs, photography, cooking classes in English, and many other interests from like-minded expats in Beijing. Have fun learning something new and making some new friends along the way.

Images: Pexels

Whether you want to or not, living in China means you and your kid are going to have to pick up some measure of Chinese.

Even as a Chinese speaker, I still struggle with helping my child learn the language, especially since my own fluency is a bit of an embarrassment, as my uncle loves to point out at every Chinese New Year reunion dinner. But I’m not giving up without a fight. So I found ways that I could boost my child’s Chinese language skills using readily available resources.

Free introductory online Chinese classes

Culture Yard is a familiar name to most expats in Beijing, but you may not know that they offer free introductory Chinese classes!

Try out online Chinese learning, get to know their teachers, meet fellow students, and learn some useful Chinese for daily use, all from the comfort of your own home – and for free! Topics change weekly and include an introduction to Chinese characters and pronunciation; daily Chinese for life in China, such as taking a taxi and ordering food; Chinese culture classes; business Chinese; HSK classes, and much more. To join their Free Classes group, message “Free Classes” on WeChat (@ cultureyardoffice).

Watch Chinese language cartoons and films

With China’s foray into the international film industry making waves, there are plenty of films that are either made in Chinese or have Chinese audio available. Pixar’s recent animated film Turning Red which features a 13-year-old female protagonist whose onset of puberty unlocks her genetic ability to turn into a giant red panda is a great example, and another would be Dreamworks’ Abominable (2019). My son and I have watched both these films in English first, then Chinese, so that we know the plot and characters to better understand the films when we re-watch them in Chinese.

Another method would be to turn on the Chinese language for familiar cartoons that your kids might enjoy repeatedly. such as PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, or any other series on streaming platforms that support dual languages like Netflix. Since they already know these cartoons so well, it may be time to turn the language setting to Chinese (with English subtitles)! This is a 2-in-1 as it exposes the kid to hearing more Chinese while affording them the opportunity to practice reading the English subtitles. The fact that they’ve already watched the series before also means they’ll have a sense of what is happening and won’t be totally lost.

Download free Chinese learning apps on the iPad

Yes, I’m thrisfy, so I sourced free digital apps for my kid to work on his handwriting, build up vocabulary, and listen to stories.

Below are just a few apps suitable for beginners. LinguPinguin is particularly useful because it has different app versions that support different native languages. For example, you could have German to Chinese, or Spanish to Chinese. If your kid is old enough to navigate it, Duolingo is great for learning practically any language on Earth!

Bilingual books

Many Beijing expat educator has taken it upon themselves to write children’s books that are in two languages, which usually contain a bit of local culture to boot! While it may be tricky for you to read the Chinese parts, a translation app can help with that.

Otherwise, you might want to buy a cup of tea for your Chinese-speaking friend in exchange for helping you with the reading and pronunciation of the characters. If not, you could also consider cornering your kid’s Chinese teacher after class and ask for help, or just drop her an email with pictures of the book. Here are a few recommendations:

This Read Aloud! series, available on Taobao for less than RMB 100, features a number of familiar English titles such as The Ugly Duckling, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Rabbit and the Turtle, with a simple Chinese translation. As you can see, I’ve annotated my own copy to help me with the characters!

北京是个好地方 běi jīng shì gè hǎo dì fāng What a Place! was written by Lana Sultan, a long-time Beijing expat. I picked up this copy from Roundabout but you can also find it on Taobao.

北京哈巴狗-疫情中的历险记 běi jīng hǎ ba gǒu: yì qíng zhōng de lì xiǎn jì Peking Pugs: A Covid Caper is probably my favorite of the lot, as it even pertains to the recent Covid crisis, albeit in a light-hearted fashion suitable for its intended young audience. This cute read was written by Janice Stewart-Yates and it is through her that you can also purchase copies of the book. Scan the QR code below to do so!

KEEP READING: How Difficult Is It for International Students To Learn Chinese?

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Starting to feel the irresistible laziness of summer creeping onto you? Get up from your couch and learn something new with these five free apps!

1. Khan Academy: Lessons for All

From Pre-K to AP courses and beyond, Khan Academy has you covered with more than 8,000 video lessons. Using a combination of videos, visuals, texts, and practice questions, it provides core subjects like math, science, etc as well as standardized test prep like SAT. Most importantly, everything on Khan Academy is 100% free!

2. Learning a New Language? Do it with Duolingo

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language or improve on one, but didn’t know where to start? Duolingo is a fun and almost addictive language learning app, providing bite-sized lessons that include reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Ranging from Spanish to Hawaiian, you get to explore 22 different languages taught in English. Though there is a Duolingo Plus subscription plan, the free version allows you to access almost all the functions too!

“Duolingo is the perfect way for me to study Chinese everyday. I love competing against my friends. I’m currently on a 338 day streak and it feels amazing to know that I’ve stuck with something for so long.” says Mrs. Jaime Weiler (English Teacher at Keystone Academy)

3. edX and Coursera: College Courses at Home

Who wouldn’t want a taste from a top university class? edX and Coursera are similar software that provides courses from top institutions across the world, with topics ranging from “The Science of Happiness” to “Introduction to Biology – The Secret of Life” and even to “Hollywood: History, Industry, Art”. Payment is required if you would like to receive a certificate after taking the final exam, but you can still access each course without any payment by auditing

“The psychology course that is taught by a Yale professor gave me new insights into the topic!” says Cathy Kang (15 years-old student at Keystone Academy)

4. Make Math Magical with AoPS

Math can actually be fun! Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is an interactive STEM learning software, where the Alcumus game, For The Win! challenge, video library, and community forums are completely free. Alcumus is a progressively harder math problem-solving game with detailed step-by-step solutions and recommended explanation videos!

“The alcumus program is a great choice for any self motivated students to find practices suited for their own skill level.” says Eva Jiang (14 years-old student at Keystone Academy)

5. Can-do Coding with code.org

Imagine being able to create your own app or website! This can be easily achieved by joining code.org and exploring its catalog full of coding challenges. You will learn to build your own app, use JavaScript to design the visuals, and program animations! There are also many recommended third-party courses like web-page programming etc. Again, code.org is fully free!

Images: Sissi Ma, Pexels

As we change and evolve throughout the various stages of our lives, so do our roles and responsibilities. As a child, the most worrisome thing was trying to fall asleep during nap time. Adults must constantly worry about paying the bills while still being able to provide for themselves and their families. Now, as teenagers, not only do we worry about our exam grades or university decisions, but also the transition into becoming those very adults that have been taking care of us since Day 1.

But don’t fret! As long as you learn some of these life skills, it’ll be smooth sailing on the way to adulthood.  

1. Taking Public Transport 

Unlike calling a Didi every time you need to go somewhere, public transportation is an equally convenient and financially sustainable way for you to get around. All you need is a navigation app like Apple, Google, or Baidu Maps to help you find the right buses or subways to take. Plus, as you get more familiarized with your usual routes, you won’t need to rely on your navigation apps as much.  

2. Cooking Basic Dishes 

It may be tempting to order delivery or takeout for a quick bite, but it can be enriching for yourself and your taste buds if you start to learn how to cook some simple meals, some of which don’t even require you to cook! Some examples are salads, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese quesadillas, cup noodles, and microwaved eggs (which is my go-to, by the way.)  Cooking may seem hard and time-consuming, but you don’t have to be a professional chef to feed yourself. 

3. Doing Laundry 

If you haven’t the slightest idea how to do laundry, here are some basic tips: always separate the whites from the colors and clean your filter often. It’s also suggested to put your undergarments in a tiny laundry bag, so they won’t get ruined when you throw them in there.  Also, don’t forget to read the labels on your clothing, as they have specific instructions on how to wash them. 

4. Making a Resume/CV 

Creating a resume or CV is essential if you want to get employed in the future. Every professional job you desire will require a resume, so this is a chance to show your future employers what you’ve accomplished so far and more. Plus, it is a way to keep track of how far you’ve come. Your future employers will also get an idea of what you’re like before they know you.  

5. Taking Care of Yourself 

We’re not babies anymore! From now on, there won’t be anyone constantly looking after us or telling us what to do, which is why it’s up to us to look after ourselves. Taking care of yourself consists of maintaining your personal hygiene, eating balanced meals, drinking lots of water, being physically active, and replenishing your energy with enough sleep. It’s also important to take care of your mental health by doing what you love and unwinding from all the stresses in your life every once in a while.  

6. Managing Your Money 

Now that you’re about to go out into the world as another independent adult, it is essential to know how to manage and spend your own money. It’s always a good idea to ask for advice from people you look up to. For example, how much to save every time you receive your paycheck, creating a budget plan, and saving to ensure your future. Try your best not to end up drowning in debt for the rest of your life! 

It’s quite bittersweet to say goodbye to your childhood and not have a care in the world, but it’s all a part of growing up. We still have our whole lives ahead of us! There’s a lot to look forward to and a lot of “life” to experience, and you can be sure that having these life skills will start your adult life off right.  

Images: Courtesy of Emily Ranquist, Gunlock, RF._.studio, RODNAE Productions, Andrea Piacquadio, Ron Lach, maitree rimthong, Pexels

Janice Stewart-Yates is a Scottish expat. Her passport stamps chart her working and study history through Dublin, Paris, and Spain but the last 13 years have been spent right here in Beijing as an educator with The International Montessori School of Beijing. Like many of us, she and her family had a difficult stint during the height of the pandemic and its ensuing quarantines. But she made the most of her time by authoring and publishing a very special children’s book, Peking Pugs. We had the opportunity to chat with Stewart-Yates about her work and get an inside look at what’s next for this new author.

Tell me a little about your life and family here in Beijing.
I am married to Nick, my very patient English husband. We have one daughter, named Dylan, and a grumble of pugs, named Toby and Princess – otherwise known as the stars of Peking Pugs.

Did you always want to be an author, or was it a newfound passion?
As an educator with 17 years of experience and counting, I have read quite a few children’s books. I am sure there isn’t a teacher on the planet who has not thought about writing a children’s book.

My writing projects started over Covid. I was in the UK, isolated with my family as I waited for the golden PU letter to come through. Because of the time difference, I was working nights, which was tiring but also allowed me to be highly productive. I had often discussed my ideas of writing a book with close friends. During this period in the UK, I finally had the time as I was no longer in my busy Beijing life.

Tell me a little about the story. What is Peking Pugs about?
The story is about two pugs, Toby and Princess, based in Beijing, trying to reach their owners in the UK. They try all sorts of transportation methods, and as they are pugs, they have many mishaps along the way. This combination made for a funny story, which thankfully has a happy ending.

 Where did the idea for the book come from?
The idea came from our situation. We were stuck in the UK and missing our life in Beijing and our pugs tremendously. Each day, like many expats outside of Beijing, I would be thinking about how I could get back to China or get my dogs out to join us should we not be able to return. At one point, I was ready to take the train from Scotland to the Chinese border in an attempt to take them back! (Short-snouted dogs like pugs can’t fly during hot seasons because of medical issues.) I took the reality I was living in, flipped it, and wrote about the pugs.

The illustrations are really beautiful. Can you tell me about the artists and why you chose them?
I first wrote Papa’s Playdate in April 2019. The talented Dilia Azizbaeva illustrated it. One day, Dilia mentioned to Nataliya Vota – another close friend and a gifted artist – about our project. Nataliya reached out and asked me if I had written any other books that she could illustrate. Like many of us, she was looking to put her energy into something positive at this challenging time. A week later, Peking Pugs was underway. Me in Scotland, Nataliya in Beijing, Dilia in Kyrgyzstan.

We would meet once a week on Zoom to share our ideas and feedback about their drawings, my text, and exchange things we wanted to add or remove. It was an exciting time for us as we felt that this was a golden period and an enjoyable project. We are now the Peking Pugs Team, and in addition to our books, we have yoga bags, a 2022 calendar, and tote bags!

How did you go about getting the book published?
When we decided and researched which route to take when publishing, it was a huge learning curve. We initially produced the first Peking Pugs and Papa’s Playdate as stories to read to our students for our online lessons. Papa’s Playdate linked to Father’s Day and Peking Pugs was a funny story that sparked discussion about separation from loved ones during the pandemic.

When we had such positive feedback from friends and family, we decided to take it a step further. I contacted different publishing houses in the UK and beyond. It was pretty complex as we planned to return to China. After many months of research, corresponding with many parties, and taking advice from other authors, we decided to go to KDP Publishing.

 Will there be another book in your future?
The Peking Pugs Team has already finished two more books in the Peking Pug series. With Nataliya – Roaming in Russia and Dilia – The Best of Beijing. We are in the final stages of editing, formatting. We hope to release The Best of Beijing around Chinese New Year and Roaming in Russia in late Spring.

 What inspires you as you write these new books?
Travel is my main inspiration. When I am writing, I constantly relive how places made me feel, smelled, people I saw, and atmosphere. The Best of Beijing travels through the seasons in the Chinese capital. It was great to sit in my study – with the real-life Toby and Princess – and think of all my favorite experiences in Beijing and beyond to create a story involving the pugs. My main goal is to make this appealing to children and enjoyable for adults to read. In my opinion, connecting and seeking to understand people, situations, and places new to us is what life is all about, and this is THE spice of life. Through the eyes of my comical and darling pugs, this makes it effortless for children to access.

I’m also inspired by the conversations children have with me, their teacher, parents, and each other after reading one of my books. The original Peking Pugs was a natural vehicle to open up discussions about separation and missed loved ones, which right now is an all-too-familiar situation for many families. So many parents have thanked me for bringing light to this topic through the pugs’ adventures. I think the book enabled them as a family to talk about this subject without it being too heavy and direct while opening up to children to share their thoughts and emotions.

For those of us who love to read as much as you do, what is your favorite book to curl up with through the cold Beijing winter and why?
For adults – I have been enjoying two books by chef and writer Jen Lin-Liu. I have traveled through time in Beijing (and China) with Jen’s Serve the People. It has also made me quite hungry with all the delicious recipes inside. I have almost finished The Noodle Road, which has had me enjoying all the author’s food adventures and fantasizing about what my next big trip will be when traveling becomes normal again. I am sure I am not alone in saying this; half the reason I love to travel so much is that I love tasting new food and going to local markets worldwide.

For children – I love The Mitten by Jan Brett – this Ukrainian folk tale is timeless and is enchanting for the young and old. How many animals will fit in the mitten? Will Nicki find his mitten again? Bedtime Stories for Rebel Girls fills our home with interesting chats each night, great for all seasons but especially the winter as we snuggle up and chat for longer when it is cold outside.

What would you say to others who want to write?
For all those people with book ideas, do it! Put pen to paper and follow your dreams! Anyone who knows me knows I can spin a good yarn, I’m confident at public speaking, but I’m not the most natural writer. And I knew nothing about how to get a book published and how to market it when I got into this. Lots of friends, and friends of friends, have asked for my advice since they saw a copy of Peking Pugs, Papa’s Playdate, or heard my personal story, and several of them have successfully got published.

 Where can I get a copy of the book and of course those cute little stuffed pug toys to go with them?
 We have plenty of signed copies here and fluffy pugs! If you are in China, you can order directly from me – WeChat ID janouski. If you are outside The People’s Republic, you can get a copy from Amazon or Book Depository with delivery within a few days. We also have yoga and tote bags and 2022 calendars on the horizon. Please add me on WeChat for more information.

Photos: Janice Stewart-Yates

KEEP READING: A Home For Christmas for Pups

Most schools teach math and science, and a good many more include social responsibility. Unfortunately, however, few schools teach business skills, which is somewhat surprising considering there are few jobs I can think of that don’t require some form of business savvy.

Inspired by the popular TV show Shark Tank, Daystar Academy and Pingo Space have created a camp for kids that combines business savvy with creativity. To make it really like the real Shark Tank, this year Ivy Group’s CEO Jack Hsu is putting up RMB 10,000 as the grand prize for their winter’s Shark Tank Camp.

They’re hoping that this becomes a real opportunity for young entrepreneurs to come up with a business idea that solves a real-world problem, create a business plan, and then pitch it to local investors in the Shark Tank. One lucky team will receive the coveted RMB 10,000 to develop their idea and bring it to market.

The entire program is under the umbrella of our social innovation program, and we have a full-time director who is a former consultant for Bain and other non-profit organizations including the UN, overseeing its development.” Hsu explains to jingkids.

And that vision includes ethical business because, as Hsu explains, entrepreneurship isn’t just about making a living. “The emphasis is on the real world, solving real problems rather than learning about theories. This linkage to the real world is important for any curriculum. We learn math or science much better when we see it in the context of relating to a real-life problem and how it helps other people.”

Solving those real-world problems helps students develop important skills like creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving throughout the process and Hsu wants to encourage those skills and the emotional and tangible rewards that come with them. “The possibilities are endless. When you are successful and have created something new, the joy is the same as having a newborn baby. It’s exhilarating!”

Needless to say, that RMB 10,000 prize certainly got people’s attention. “We were floored by the offer,” says Sophie Su, founder of Pingo Space, the program that provides the curriculum for the Shark Tank camp. “It’s such an incredible opportunity for these students! Not only are they going to get to develop an idea and pitch it to real business people but they are also going to have someone take those ideas seriously enough to invest real money in them. That’s a powerful motivation and we know the possibility of getting to bring their ideas to life is going to be incredibly inspiring.”

Ultimately, the world is changing faster and in more dramatic ways than anyone can predict. We don’t know what the future of education will be, but most educators think it is a good bet that the ability to problem solve and make agile creative decisions will always be an in-demand skill.

To learn more about the Shark Tank camp and to sign up, scan the QR code below or send an email to camp@daystaracademy.cn.

Sounds pretty cool huh? This winter is going to be packed with fun and creative summer camps for all sorts of interests. Maybe you’re kids are interested in become master chefs. Or perhaps they’d like to spend winter hitting the slopes. There’s something for everyone’s interests. To find out the perfect one for your kids, visit our Winter Camp Round Up.

KEEP READING: Discovering Commercial Kids Libraries In Beijing

Images: Daystar Academy, Pingo Space

For those of us who grew up in the West, vampires, witches, and zombies are all a part of the Halloween fun. But China has its own unique scary tales. Here are a few Chinese twists on Western mythology.

You say zombie I say 僵尸 (jiangshi): Also known as a Chinese Hopping Vampire, these reanimated corpses don’t want to eat your brains, they want to absorb your 其 (qi). You will know them as soon as you see them because they have a real sense of retro style and generally wear official government robes from the Qing Dynasty.

You say witch I say 巫 (wu): No pointy hats or evil spells to beguile naive princesses. The Chinese wu were an important part of history and practiced Wuism, dating back to the Shang Dynasty. These early shamans were both men and women who served their communities as an intermediary between the spirit and the physical world. They were the earliest practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, as it was believed that evil spirits caused disease. Because of this, they are sometimes referred to as 巫婆 (wuyi) or shaman physicians.

You say ghost I say 地缚灵 (di fu ling), or 哦跪 (e gui), or 怒跪 (nu gui)… you’re going to need to be more specific: That’s because I found no fewer than 20 different categories of ghost. Some specific to the way they died like the 水鬼 (shui gui), the spirits of those who drowned. However, the most famous is the 游魂野鬼 (you hun ye gui), who roam the earth during China’s Ghost festival during the 7^th lunar month.

You say jack-o-lantern I say 八卦 (bagua) mirror: Jack-o-lanterns are a fun craft but were originally used to ward off evil, and actually used to be carved from turnips (Western mythology is strange!). But in the Chinese feng shui 风水tradition, you use a 八卦 (bagua) mirror to reflect bad energy away from you. It’s even suggested that these octagonal mirrors will ward off the aforementioned 僵尸 ( jiangshi) as they cannot stand to see their own negative 其 (qi ) reflected back at them.

Bats, harbinger of evil or good luck? It depends on which half of the globe you were born on. The West views these flying rodents as a dark and mysterious force but in the East, bats are believed to bring blessings. In fact, bat in Chinese is 蝠 (fu) , which literally means good luck. Bats are often featured in Chinese art, pottery, and even on some ancient royal brocade.

KEEP READING: Beijing’s Haunted History: A Not So Spooky Subway Ride

Images: Unsplash, jingkids International