Need advice: School System for Dummies French / English dilemma!!!

I really need your help on 2 related subjects: I am currently pregnant with my 1st kid, none of my friends have kids and I have to admit I do know much about babies.


I am very confused about school systems: what is playgroup, preschool, kindergarten, when does it start in HK, when to register (I hear 2 years in advance??!!), etc etc. Could anyone please give me a clear big picture? I get a lot of information from different websites but somehow they all contradict each other…


Coming to my 2nd question: I am French, my husband is Chinese born in France so we will speak French with our kid. We also want him to learn Cantonese so we’ll hire a HK Nanny. But of course we want him to learn English asap so he can interact with other kids from different nationalities. Is it possible to find a pre-school (or whatever the name of the 1st “school” the kid will attend is…) in HK where kids learn / speak BOTH French and English? We thought he has to learn good verbal and written French at school in case we go back to France in a few years but if he goes to a French school then I’m afraid he will not learn good English and he will not interact with kids from other countries. I’ve checked the French International School but it seems like kids have to choose between a French program or an English program…


Any advice would be so much appreciated!!!

Sorry for the lenghty questions and thanks all in advance.

You are trying to raise a bi (or even tri) lingual child - a child who thinks in more than one language. This is quite common in much of Europe.


Best advice is

mum uses her native language to speak to baby/child (in yr case, French)

dad uses his native language to speak to baby/child (in yr case, maybe Cantonese)

But the important key is that each parent must be consistent.

Mum and dad decide which language to use to talk to each other, or alternate between the two.


Now you add an English speaking domestic helper to the mix who is only allowed to speak English to the baby/child.


It is a slower start because there is much more processing for the baby/child but as long as it is constistent it works. The child gradually discovers that other people speak using the words mum uses, or dad uses, or the domestic helper uses and then switches to the words that the audience understands.


Just remember to go slow, be patient, lots of the same songs in all 3 languages by each language teacher/specialist.


Then when baby is 2 years old you can decide on schooling language depending on how you have all gone as specialist language tutors. Does your young child have a greater need of Cantonese, English or French? And enrol the child accordiing to his/her need.

I would reiterate Mob's general comments: Be consistent -- don't have any adult in the home switching back and forth. With regards to the schools, there are several streams at French Int'l school, and surely one will fit your circumstances. As waiting lists are long, I recommend at least putting your child's name down asap... then your option is at least there.

"Now you add an English speaking domestic helper to the mix who is only allowed to speak English to the baby/child."


Given that most domestic helpers are from the Philippines and Indonesia would that be such a good idea? I would find a well-educated native English speaking nanny. Once you start wrong with a language it's hard to correct.

playgroups are places for chidlren who are not attending school yet to go to interact with other children. learn to listen and follow instructions. it's like a prep for goign to school and socializing with others. it's not a must, totally based on choice by parents.


local kindergartens in hk are for children age 2-6 years.

esf kindergartens start at age 3

international schools have reception for chidlren at age 5. so before that, u can send ur child to another kindergarten elsewhere if u choose.

I've the perfect French kindy for you if you will live around the Stanley area. It's run by a lady who is French, (husband is Chinese, and she can speak French/English/Cantonese), and she runs classes in French in the morning and English in the afternoon, plus they also have Mandarin lessons in the classes. School is called Le Pichon and number is 94157626. Advise you to check it out when you arrive and put you name on the list as soon as you can. It's a wonderful place do check it out. Later, you kids can attend FIS (French International School).

My advise, Sophie Monatte -- slow down. You're still pregnant with your baby, for god's sake! Take one step at a time. More than two years to go.


First things first -- give her a good start at home. Lots of love and affection and time.


Second -- do not put any pressure on your child. She'll end up confused.


Just stop putting pressure on yourself right now -- otherwise the baby might be born all stressed!

Btw, I am a mother of a 9 y.o. boy who speaks two languages and is learning Mandarin at an International school.


I let him define his pace and skill at them. No pressure at all.


And I knew nothing about the HK education system.... still do not know much! But he has ended up at a great school! He's very happy and relaxed there.