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International schools: what are the actual benefits for your kids?
Nowadays many middle-class Vietnamese families in Vietnam are choosing to send their kids to international schools in spite of the high costs.
Is this a child care trend or actually a worthwhile investment?
Our experts look at what your kid will gain from an international school education.
There's no denying schools are a huge part of children’s lives. They spend a huge amount of time at their school, not only studying, absorbing new concepts and accumulating knowledge, but also developing and discovering their personalities through socialisation and exploring their interests. Many Vietnamese parents are now choosing international schools as they believe the educational programs, combined with the all-round environment and extracurricular activities, give their kids a firm foundation for their future in a globalised world. There are many obvious perks. For starters, kids attending an international school will quickly become fluent in English (and possibly other languages). Vietnamese parents also believe that an international school will prepare their kids to access overseas universities in future. Is that really the case?
Ms. Tuong Lan, Strategy & Performance Management, Group Channels & Digitalisation at UOB Vietnam, is having her son studying at an international school in Go Vap District. She shares:
“Yes, my 6-year old son is studying four subjects entirely in English (maths, English, science as well as IT/ media) at his school,” says Ms. Tuong Lan, whose son attends an international school in Go Vap District in Ho Chi Minh City. “The curriculum follows a program used in other international education systems and is designed to focus on building up the pupils’ English, mathematical and problem-solving ability and many other skills.”
Furthermore, Ms Tuong Lan agrees that certificates from international schools are well recognised and of great value should her child ever transfer to a secondary school in an English-speaking country or wish to study at an overseas university in future. She also praised the wide range of after-school activities that her kid can participate in so he can explore his own interests.
Our UOB experts also believe there many more advantages to sending your kids to an international school. For example:
- Ultimately, the number one priority for parents is ensuring their children are comfortable, well-looked after and making the most of the resources on offer. At an international school, the number of kids in a class will be low. With a well-qualified foreign teacher and a teaching assistant, all of the kids will get thorough care and careful attention. Should they have any weakness, or issues, the teacher will quickly identify that and give your kid positive assistance so they can feel more confident and fulfil their potential.
- International schools often introduce well-researched, educational strategies that focus on children’s personal development. Students do not only learn academic knowledge but also absorb soft skills, such as communication skills, team work, self-expression and presentation skills. As a result, children studying international programs are more open, active and can become quite adept at, just by way of example, public speaking, debating and making presentations.
- Having a very solid foundation in English and gaining globally-recognised certificates definitely opens the door for students to study in prestigious universities and colleges around the world, especially in the US, Europe and other western countries. But international schools go further. They also provide practical platforms for kids and parents to identify the best options for third-level education. For example, international schools will typically host study abroad fairs to introduce and highlight opportunities for students. At international schools, kids can even learn about various options for life after university, for example, paid internships, immigration laws and regulations for moving to live and work in a foreign country.
- As opposed to local schools, students at international schools do not have to constantly take notes in class and do hours of homework. Instead, they take part in varied activities with particular aims along with their classmates. The goal is to help the kids develop through discovery and ensure they have a firm understanding about what they have learned rather than simply memorising and repeating what the teacher said in class. If they study in an international kindergarten or an elementary school, they can start to discover the world and explore their potential from a very young age.
- Besides the well-researched and advanced academic programs on offer, students at international schools can also engage in a broad range of extracurricular activities, which have many positive benefits from summer programs to clubs for music, arts and craft work, dance, sport, and much more. These extracurricular activities provide the kids with the chance to explore their interests and develop a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. With a well-considered weekly timetable, and a good mix of study, creative pursuits, and physical activity, the kids will ideally not feel under stress when at school. The curriculums at International schools not only incorporate free-play but encourage creativity as well as independent thinking.
- With state-of-the-art facilities, international schools can ensure your child has good physical and mental health. All areas of a typical international school from classrooms, playgrounds and gymnasiums to libraries, science rooms and canteens, are well-equipped and designed to ensure the safety of pupils. Well-experienced teachers and teaching assistants will have good resources and well-developed strategies to engage with the kids and help them flourish.
- It is worth noting that international schools can only operate should they be deemed suitable for Vietnamese culture and after they receive a license from the Government of Vietnam. We stress this last point as some Vietnamese might worry that their children may not understand or appreciate their own national culture, if they attend international schools. But rest assured international schools in Vietnam closely observe all the traditional holidays and customs throughout the school year.
Below are some comments from students studying at international schools and their parents:
“My husband and I both studied in a national school. After we graduated We then studied abroad. So we know all the drawbacks a person can face, if they go to study in university overseas but previously never learned in an international environment and cannot communicate fluently in English,” says Ms. Thao Nguyen, Creative Director of Gold Magazine from Ho Chi Minh City. “The school where my kid is studying not only uses English but also has plenty of extracurricular activities, so after class, she does not need extra time for study. As school time finishes quite early, she can have more time with her family and get plenty of sleep which is good for her long-term health.”
“I like going to school because it’s very fun and interesting!” says Ms. Tuong Lan’s 6-year old child.
“I’m happy to have teachers and friends play with me. My three favourite extracurricular classes are coding, karate and Kpop. While my friends who live next door to me have to go to extra classes after school, I get home at 4. I can relax, take shower, eat dinner and do my homework. At 9pm, I go to sleep so that I can wake up early to go to school tomorrow,” says Ms. Thao Nguyen’s 7-year old child.
How to choose the right school? The process of choosing a suitable international for your children does not have to be complicated but we would advise taking the following factors into consideration:
- Plan a detailed budget that factors in both you and your kids’ goals
- Think about the future. Do you have a plan for your children to study overseas? Look for schools with a program that suits your target.
- Make a shortlist of the international schools within your budget.
- Visit the schools for a tour with your children. In the event, it’s a toss up between two schools, let your child choose their favourite one.
- Prepare a backup budget to make sure your kids still can continue to study at an international school under any circumstances.
There are definitely many advantages to enrolling your kids at an international school. We might add that it can be difficult for a student to readjust to a national school should you decide to take them out of the international school. By attending an international school, they will have got used to a very different academic approach, school environment and lifestyle.
Parents should carefully prepare a budget or consult with a prestigious bank such as UOB to make a detailed financial plan so your kids can flourish at an international school and fulfil their future goals.
If you intend to register your kid at an international school and need more advice or assistance with financial planning, do not hesitate to leave a comment and our UOB experts will reply to you at the earliest opportunity.
Comment
Tran Ngoc Phuong, Director
The fee is average of 400 million a year for primary school and 500 - 600 million for high school. Does UOB have any financial solution for investing on education? I would like to plan for my child in first grade.
