School for a kid with low English skills

[Alpha Romeo]

It's available in public school. I am based here in Los Angeles and mostly US and Canada has the same academic curriculum. I have 2 kids attending in public school. They are done with their ELS as they have already reached the proficient level.

 

[Suin]

what would you recommend - put 4 years old kid right to public school or to ELS class first? will she pick up the languages right from the first year in general public school?

 

[PMM]

Hi

what would you recommend - put 4 years old kid right to public school or to ELS class first? will she pick up the languages right from the first year in general public school?

4 years don't attend elementary school, which starts at about age 6. You can register children in kindergarten the year they turn 5.

PMM

 

[Suin]

thank you for your reply, PMM. I read about preschool classes that start from the age 4-5, is that the same as a kindergarten? do they require good English skills?

 

[ariell]

Suin: I'm not sure where you are located, but in Ontario, most schools have a junior and senior kindergarten. Junior kindergarten (JK) is typically for ages 4-5 and SK for 5-6. There are also preschool programs which will often take kids as young as 18 months, but you'd have to check individual schools/programs. Preschool is more like daycare -- they don't have as specific learning goals as they do in JK/SK. I think the teachers/educators in either program would be familiar with ESL children so should know how to simplify their language to help children who are just learning English but I would encourage you to ask details at whatever program/school you're considering. For your older son, I would recommend that you check in your local library -- most public libraries have very good ESL resources.

 

[Suin]

thank you, ariell. thank you very much.

 

[Moontwincutie]

Hi

The school will have him assessed and he will probably be placed in an ESL class (English as a Second Language.) before he is placed in mainstream classes.

PMM

In some school they have a class for kids who cant speak english well and from diffen't places around the world. hope that helps

 

[Suin]

thank you for your reply, Moontwincutie. do you mean that we don't have to look for a special school for kids and can find these classes close the place we live?

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

Suin you are worrying for nothing. I had the same situation when I came in US. My 6 year old did not speak English at all. The public school alone would be fine. She was attending regular classes in English and ESL at the same school at ESL scheduled times. After few months she started to talk in English with me as well. As the children are surrounded with all English speaking children and teachers, and their learning ability is much faster than ours they will adjust to the environment 10 times faster than us. After 8 years of North american living and working in IT I still have my accent. My little ones did not have an accent since beginning.

 

[kumbu.bumbu]

ESL is available in most public Schools if not in all public schools.

 

[maua]

Suin, your children will amaze you. When I was four and my brother was 7 my dad was posted to Canada. We spoke no English. Within a month, my mom said we were speaking so well she couldn't keep up with what we were saying. Then we moved back to Kenya when I was 10 and did not speak a word of Swahili. Within a few months, we were fluent. My advise to you (which is what my parents did) Do not shelter your kids too much. Send them outside to play with other kids. Take them to parks and community centers. The more they interact with Canadian kids, the faster they will pick up the language. If you can surround them with French speaking Canadians as well, they can learn English and French simultaneously. Oh! How I wish I was a child!

 

[Karlshammar]

Not to worry, it works just as well with adults! The main problem for adults is that they become self-conscious and worry about if they are saying things right, using the right word and accent, grammar etc. ... Adults who forget about shame and throw caution to the wind learn very quickly as well.

The more they interact with Canadian kids, the faster they will pick up the language. If you can surround them with French speaking Canadians as well, they can learn English and French simultaneously. Oh! How I wish I was a child!

 

[Suin]

Suin you are worrying for nothing. I had the same situation when I came in US. My 6 year old did not speak English at all. The public school alone would be fine. She was attending regular classes in English and ESL at the same school at ESL scheduled times. After few months she started to talk in English with me as well. As the children are surrounded with all English speaking children and teachers, and their learning ability is much faster than ours they will adjust to the environment 10 times faster than us. After 8 years of North american living and working in IT I still have my accent. My little ones did not have an accent since beginning.

thank you for encouraging words, kumbu.bumbu. I really appreciate your help a lot. Happy Holidays!

 

[Suin]

Suin, your children will amaze you. When I was four and my brother was 7 my dad was posted to Canada. We spoke no English. Within a month, my mom said we were speaking so well she couldn't keep up with what we were saying. Then we moved back to Kenya when I was 10 and did not speak a word of Swahili. Within a few months, we were fluent. My advise to you (which is what my parents did) Do not shelter your kids too much. Send them outside to play with other kids. Take them to parks and community centers. The more they interact with Canadian kids, the faster they will pick up the language. If you can surround them with French speaking Canadians as well, they can learn English and French simultaneously. Oh! How I wish I was a child!

thank you for your attention and willing to help, maua! hope my kids will be as smart as you were! happy holidays!

 

[hussenb]

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