Back to school?
We are often asked when we are at the playground or anywhere in town where Myles goes to kindergarten (that word being used as we Americans would say pre-school in this case) or school. The schooling question has plagued me, us, since we first moved to Shenzhen three years ago. Then the questions could be politely deflected that we didn't think he was old enough to go to school outside the home. Of course, to many in the expat community there it made us freaks (and some people, for whatever reason, were pretty hostile to me about that, and not having a nanny, and so on), but we had made a family decision. It didn't help, either, that we couldn't afford the International Schools or the really good Chinese or bilingual schools. But now that Myles is six in October, the legal age that he could go to Pittsburgh kindergarten (not pre-school), we really have to do something for him.
Before we actually moved to Beijing, which would be before I knew how far out of the mainstream we would be living, I had looked at several of the International Schools online. Immediately I had to discount them as serious options because their tuition was all so much more than the Shenzhen schools. I mean, some of them charge in excess of U.S.$20,000 per year! Then, once I arrived in Beijing and acquainted myself with our area, I realized that price notwithstanding, the travel time alone rules out just about every "International School" option in Beijing. There is at least one school in our part of the city that is a private boarding school and thereby permitted to accept foreign students. I do need to visit it once the school year there starts, but it already presents some problems to us. It is pricy, and the primary grades are taught almost exclusively in Chinese. My fear is that if we do get Myles into it, he will hate it so much (he is incredibly anxious about going to Chinese school) that we will have to pull him from it and then we will be out thousands of dollars. I just don't buy into the philosophy that any school is better than no school.
It's been a difficult decision, but we've decided to homeschool Myles for at least the next few months. Everyone knows we've been toying with homeschooling for the past few years. We even sort of experimented with it, using Singapore kindergarten math books and the early Explode the Code workbooks to keep him on track with his peers. There are certain things I like about the idea of a homeschooling lifestyle, regardless of where we live. The all-day learning, the flexibility for outings and travel, the ability to let the children really learn about things that interest them--I mean, when you imagine it being all warm cookies and good books all day long, what's not to love? (yes, I understand the brutal reality of phonics and flashcards because we are living it, but I do have a rich fantasy life)
I read a lot of excellent blogs written by Catholic homeschoolers, and I have read several homeschooling books (including the ever-awesome Maureen Wittmann's Homeschool Companion), and I am big fan of the homeschool-friendly Faith and Family Magazine. One thing I read/hear over and over again from other homeschooling parents is how they feel "called to homeschooling." Called to homeschooling? I wish. I wish I felt called to anything.
So, instead of being called, I'm stumbling in, freaking out, and charging full steam ahead. We are deep in another year of Singapore Math (I really do like the hard-core mathiness of it) and Explode the Code Phonics. We've added Story of the World because who knew almost-six-year-olds would be so obsessed with ancient history? Of course, we have some added benefit of being able to take a field trip to Xi'an when we get to the chapter on Shi Huangdi. Science is going to be a mix of Read and Find Out books and experiments we have on hand as well as paleontology. And since we are often talking about metallurgy over lunch and dinner, he gets that, too, for nothing. Faith Formation continues to be our catechises of choice, and they have been wonderful catering to our needs to have the materials emailed.
We are still without a good plan for his Chinese instruction. He was making great progress with his teacher in Shenzhen, but since we've moved, he's been stalled. I know at this point he needs both proper instruction and peer interaction. The latter is difficult because most of the local kids Myles plays with want to speak English with him. Myles is happy to oblige, happier still not to have to speak Chinese. This is something to which I hope find a solution and soon.
So, for now, for the time being that is, we are homeschooling.
Before we actually moved to Beijing, which would be before I knew how far out of the mainstream we would be living, I had looked at several of the International Schools online. Immediately I had to discount them as serious options because their tuition was all so much more than the Shenzhen schools. I mean, some of them charge in excess of U.S.$20,000 per year! Then, once I arrived in Beijing and acquainted myself with our area, I realized that price notwithstanding, the travel time alone rules out just about every "International School" option in Beijing. There is at least one school in our part of the city that is a private boarding school and thereby permitted to accept foreign students. I do need to visit it once the school year there starts, but it already presents some problems to us. It is pricy, and the primary grades are taught almost exclusively in Chinese. My fear is that if we do get Myles into it, he will hate it so much (he is incredibly anxious about going to Chinese school) that we will have to pull him from it and then we will be out thousands of dollars. I just don't buy into the philosophy that any school is better than no school.
It's been a difficult decision, but we've decided to homeschool Myles for at least the next few months. Everyone knows we've been toying with homeschooling for the past few years. We even sort of experimented with it, using Singapore kindergarten math books and the early Explode the Code workbooks to keep him on track with his peers. There are certain things I like about the idea of a homeschooling lifestyle, regardless of where we live. The all-day learning, the flexibility for outings and travel, the ability to let the children really learn about things that interest them--I mean, when you imagine it being all warm cookies and good books all day long, what's not to love? (yes, I understand the brutal reality of phonics and flashcards because we are living it, but I do have a rich fantasy life)
I read a lot of excellent blogs written by Catholic homeschoolers, and I have read several homeschooling books (including the ever-awesome Maureen Wittmann's Homeschool Companion), and I am big fan of the homeschool-friendly Faith and Family Magazine. One thing I read/hear over and over again from other homeschooling parents is how they feel "called to homeschooling." Called to homeschooling? I wish. I wish I felt called to anything.
So, instead of being called, I'm stumbling in, freaking out, and charging full steam ahead. We are deep in another year of Singapore Math (I really do like the hard-core mathiness of it) and Explode the Code Phonics. We've added Story of the World because who knew almost-six-year-olds would be so obsessed with ancient history? Of course, we have some added benefit of being able to take a field trip to Xi'an when we get to the chapter on Shi Huangdi. Science is going to be a mix of Read and Find Out books and experiments we have on hand as well as paleontology. And since we are often talking about metallurgy over lunch and dinner, he gets that, too, for nothing. Faith Formation continues to be our catechises of choice, and they have been wonderful catering to our needs to have the materials emailed.
We are still without a good plan for his Chinese instruction. He was making great progress with his teacher in Shenzhen, but since we've moved, he's been stalled. I know at this point he needs both proper instruction and peer interaction. The latter is difficult because most of the local kids Myles plays with want to speak English with him. Myles is happy to oblige, happier still not to have to speak Chinese. This is something to which I hope find a solution and soon.
So, for now, for the time being that is, we are homeschooling.
Comments
In my expereince, that's usually the way it works. Good luck! And if Myles (or Brigid) ever need a philosophy or Latin teacher, gimme a ring!
How did you find a Chinese instructor in Shenzen (spelling, sorry) and why won't that work here?
If learning Chinese were the most important thing, of course, going to a school where the instruction is in Chinese would make him learn it fast, and he would.
But as you know, Chinese kids are socialized quite differently. This was very obvious in the baby/spit bubble story you referred us to on another blog. He might find that certain behaviors which are even encouraged by you are unacceptable there. He might well be unhappy.
Where do you see Myles' future?
Do you expect to go back to the US any time in his childhood? What about his teen years? Is he going to be looking for his first job in China? Dating Chinese girls? Does he need some Chinese socialization, even if that is painful?
I suppose you have been thinking about all those questions.
As far as learning math and to read English, and some science and history type stuff, I think you are doing just fine.
Susan Peterson
Chinese isn't the most important, but it should be an obvious benefit of living here. I think he would be much more comfortable if his Chinese speaking was better.
And you are darn right about the socialization differences. That is also a concern. As much as I would worry about an Ameriacn public school killing his spirit, I am triply worried about a Chinese school doing the same.
And long-term--we aren't sure. We have a vague idea of being here five more years or so, but nothing is firm. But yes, long-term he needs to better equipped to live in China. With Chinese people, not with other expats.