Public school?

[lizzybennet]

I went to lunch with the church ladies today. We went to Cafe Onion. Is it just me, or do you think a restaurant with that name would do well in America? I'm thinking no...They served western food and it was pretty tasty and definitely good prices. They also showed me where a Dairy Queen is! It amazes me that there are always so many new things to discover here. Around every corner a surprise awaits you.

It was really nice to have some time away from the kids. I can tell it did them a lot of good too. I suppose I should introduce the church ladies by name:Yvonne and Lonnie. Yvonne is Cantonese and from Hong Kong, although she has also lived in Paris and Vancouver. Lonnie is from Michigan and her hubby works for the Ford company. Both of these womens' children attend the International school. Ford pays for Lonnie's kids and Yvonne pays for her kids herself. We talked a lot about schooling, home schooling and the possibility of sending my kids to public school here in China. Lonnie sent her youngest son to a public preschool last year. She was honest with me about the difficulties he faced, but she says she is really glad that she did it. Likewise, Yvonne sent both her kids to Chinese public school for the first two years that they lived here. Both her kids were born in Cananda and spoke English as their primary language. She said it was difficult for them, but looking back on it they are glad they had the opportunity.

There are a couple reasons that I'm thinking about this possibility. First, Chris and I have been discussing staying for 2 years instead of just one. Also, I feel like the kids are not going to learn Chinese when they are stuck at home virtually all the time. They aren't having a "real" cultural experience and neither am I. I'm also stuck at home all day with them, not out and about exploring the city. If it were just Connor and I we'd be able to do a lot more. Still, this we can't make any decision about this until we move out to the campus. At that point, we'll have to look and see what our options are for a school near there. If I do put the kids in school, I need to wait for that move because I don't want them to have to try and make that huge adjustment twice.

I was thinking about a boy in my 5th grade class from France. He spoke no English at all when he started school, yet soon he spoke English fluently. Maybe I'm trying to protect the boys too much, thinking about how hard and scary it would be for me to be in that situation? It's really a lot to think about.

Comments

[masteralida.livejournal.com]

When I was in 8th grade, two boys from China moved into our area. Within 6 months, they were very fluent in English and we all picked up a few phrases in Chinese from them.

Ooh - two years would be great, by then you won't want to come home ;)

[heidial.livejournal.com]

Chinese school. Hmmm. That is a big subject and a lot to think about and pray about. It seems scary to me - but then I'm a big scardy cat anyway. No doubt they would learn a lot and fast too. Maybe if you could see the school and talk with the people there you could make a better decision. But don't give up on homeschool too soon. It may take months for all of you to get used to it - not just a few weeks. The boys are learning more than you think they are. And they don't learn as much in public school as you think they do. A lot of take home work sheets is busy work - not real learning. Don't give up on yourself too soon - you're doing a great job with them.