ESF Reading Program

Hello,


I've heard more than enough times that ESF primary school has a very very good reading program that kids go there are very good at reading at very young age and they love doing it. This reputation is very strong, at least among the people I know.


Even more surprising was that I went to a Chinese Language seminar yesterday and they cited the ESF reading program as an example of how language should be taught (they didn't go into details) so that kids came out of it are good at reading and love doing it.


I wonder if any parents here know why and isn't this true in all international schools, and not just ESF? I've only heard this about ESF and not any other schools, although I know quite a mix of international schools parents.


Courtney

hi there,


My son is in year 1 at ESF school. Kids there are good in reading ... they will bring back a book of their choice daily, parents have to accompany them to read, kids will do the reading and parents will have to write comments in a book provided by the school. The comments includes the title of the book, comments about the kids' reading and then a column for the kids to tell whether they like the book by ticking /colouring the different faces. I found kids love doing that and this is something very encouraging to them.


The most important thing is that, they are not memorising the words, but by using phonics approach, they can read most of the words, even difficult ones. My son likes reading road signs etc. Hence, it is good to send your kids to a kindergarten that teaches english using Phonic approach. My son knows how to read before joining ESF. Now he can write short letters in English with proper sentences although some errors in spelling. I have to say he uses phonics to spell the words that he wanted to write, not by memorising them. It is fun to see him write... hahaha..


on top of that, every week the kids will borrow a book from their learning center (more difficult ones) to read.


It is the way they teach the kids, different schools have different teaching methods, so far, ESF is very good in getting the kids to read. However, their mandarin and maths... not very good compared to local schools.



Hope the above is helpful.

Hello hueylenl,


Which school does your son go to? My daughter will be in Year 1 the coming school year. May I know how much progress has your son made in reading since the beginning of the school year til now? Can he now read storybook?


As for Mandarin, how many lessons are there a week?

My daughter is in year 1 at Clearwater Bay, she has only been bringing home 1 reading book a week, and 1 library book, but I do reading with her most nights at home with our own books. She's obviously not reading fluently, but surprises me with how much she has picked up in just over a term, and can certainly read simple books without help.

Their school has just upped its Mandarin, y1's and '2s now get 30 mins a day, y3's and up get 45 mins a day.

Hi cd,


Is Clearwater Bay the Mandarin Pilot school? I checked with our ESF school and they are only offering mandarin twice a week.

Yes Clearwater Bay and Kowloon Junior, KJS is about 6 months further along in the programme.

30/45 mins a day is really good. I hope they roll out the program to all ESF schools. Does anyone know their rollout plan and schedule?