Elementary Education Options for My Son in Xiamen

[Sam1]

Hello,

I am very close to accepting an offer for graduate school at Xiamen University. My wife may be landing there as well for studies and I am wondering what options people have found for English speaking schools for a young boy entering 1st grade?

I believe there are international schools, but from what I can gather, they are much more expensive than we could afford on graduate student stipends.

Looking forward to your replies and assistance.

Thanks,

Sam

[abcdefg]

Look at some of Zhohana's posts and read her blog about her family's experience with schools there, though I think you child is younger. Still might give you some ideas. Here's a link to get you started:

http://www.chinese-f...ools-in-xiamen/

[zhouhana]

We chose Manila Xiamen International School. It's half the price of Xiamen International School. Here's a bit of info: http://www.swedesinchina.com/xiamen-international-school-xis-vs-manila-xiamen-international-school-mxis-which-one-better

Since your son is so young, a Chinese language school might also be an option?

I'm leaving Xiamen on Thursday. If you'd like me to look up anything, like contact info to some place, I'll have the best chance of helping you before then. (But I won't have too much time.)

[zhouhana]

This is a primary school aimed at Chinese children wanting to learn English. I don't know if they accept foreigners, but if they do, I would think it's cheaper than the international schools. Since your boy is so young, he'd probably have a relatively easy time transitioning to the Chinese school environment. He'd probably be the "foreign mascot" of the class and he'd definitely pick up more Chinese than in any of the international schools.

厦门外国语学校附属小学 ("Xiàmén Wàiguóyǔ Xuéxiào Fùshǔ Xiǎoxué"; The Primary School Attached to Xiamen Foreign Language School)

湖滨一里25号

http://www.xmwfx.cn/

One of these e-mail addresses should work:

wu1976_2000@163.com

wgyfx@smjy.net

One of these phone numbers should work:

51145045051476

0592-5056133

[Sam1]

Thank you 1000 X. This is a great help. I have one question I could not pick up from the reading. Are any of these schools taught primarily in English? Maybe it's a silly question, but it is a blank I need to fill.

Sam

[zhouhana]

Both Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS) and Xiamen International School (XIS) teach in English only except for Chinese class. The Foreign Language School, I don't know. I would think they use a little more Chinese.