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Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?


#1  2012-03-30 02:53:39

profclr
New member
From: Berkeley, CA
Registered: 2012-03-30
Posts: 3

Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

Our daughter will be starting 3rd grade next fall, when we'll be starting our year in Bergen, Norway.  We had been thinking we'd pay to enroll her at the International school, where she'd be able to take classes in English (her native language).  But a friend of mine just recommended I consider sending her to the public school, given how great the school system is supposed to be and how quickly young children learn second languages.  I'm hesitant to put her through what might be a somewhat traumatic experience of not understanding anything at first.  Does anyone out there have any experience that might help me think this through?  Thanks in advance!




 
 
 
 

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#2  2012-03-30 11:08:32

Ben_C
Member
From: Bergen
Registered: 2012-02-01
Posts: 24

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

I used to teach at the International School and it is a good level of education there. My kids are going to a Norwegian school though.

The big question for most people is how long they are planning to be in Norway. If you will be moving on again one day, then there's a lot to be said for an international education and concentrating on English skills. If you are in Norway for the long term, I really can't see the benefit.  A lot of the children in the international school move around to different countries quite a bit, so friends might come and go.

My eldest goes to a Montessori school and I can't recommend it enough as an alternative, although we'll probably review it again when she moves on from primary.




 
 
 

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#3  2012-03-31 07:15:01

profclr
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From: Berkeley, CA
Registered: 2012-03-30
Posts: 3

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

Thanks for your response, Ben_C.  We'll be there only for one year, so it's more a question of whether I want to give my kid an "immersion" experience in Norwegian school or not.  Glad to hear your perspective on the International School.




 
 
 
 

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#4  2012-04-17 23:04:51

bergen5432
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From: Bergen
Registered: 2012-04-17
Posts: 2

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

My children go to the International School in Bergen.  The level of education is good compared to the Norwegian primary education, but is below the academic standards you would find at a good school in an English speaking country like the UK, Australia or in North America. As you will only be here for one year it does not really matter.   I would say academically the children are a year or 2 behind.

Many of the children who go to the school have one or both parents who are Norwegian and thus both parents work.  About 30 percent of the families are the transient ex-pat type.  It is NOT a typical ex-pat school with extra-curricular activities for the children and does not have a strong parent network.  You will find lots of activities in the community though.

I think it is up to you to decide.  If you have your child in the International School you are not paying for an excellent or even good education, but you are paying for them to have friends and be comfortable in an English speaking environment.  A year at that age is not going damage their SAT scores.

So, like you said, it is really up to you.  I have heard good things about the Montesorri School and I have also heard good things about Steiner School. 

Good luck with your decision.




 
 
 

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#5  2012-04-18 07:40:00

Francesca
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Francesca
From: pereybere
Registered: 2011-08-16
Posts: 3402

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

Hello bergen5432 and thanks for sharing these info with us!

Francesca




 
 
 

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#6  2012-04-19 11:14:48

ZombieTron
Active member
ZombieTron
From: Bergen
Registered: 2011-05-02
Posts: 44

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

Most ex-pats I know seem to want to send their children to the international school as they are not planning on being here forever.

My little girl will go to the local school as her father is Norwegian and this is where we are staying.

Norwegian isn't a particularly useful international language... but it's also not a million miles away from English, so I think your child could thrive in either environment.




 
 
 

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#7  2012-04-19 11:58:03

Ben_C
Member
From: Bergen
Registered: 2012-02-01
Posts: 24

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

I taught in international schools for eight years at primary school level and one thing I know is that kids pick up languages incredibly fast. I knew non-Norwegians who'd become fluent in less than a year just through playing with other locals and non-English speakers in August who were fluent by Christmas. Makes me feel ashamed at my Norwegian after ten years here.

I once taught a class of 20 six to seven year olds, of whom twelve could speak at least three languages fluently (like a native), seven could speak two fluently and just one who had one language but was learning two others. I remember once watching a 6 year old girl, by no means exceptionally smart, talking to her mother in Finnish, before turning and asking her dad a question in French, before coming in and chatting to me in English. As she sat down she spoke Norwegian to the girl sitting next to her.

Why do I have so much trouble squeezing two languages into my brain?




 
 
 

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#8  2012-04-20 20:59:41

new_in_norway
Serial expat
Registered: 2010-06-09
Posts: 295

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

International school sounds good...




 
 
 

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#9  2012-04-29 03:12:57

profclr
New member
From: Berkeley, CA
Registered: 2012-03-30
Posts: 3

Re: Any advice on public vs international school for American 3rd-grader?

Thanks everyone!  We've decided on the Nygard Skole--where she'll get part of the day Norwegian immersion and part, English instruction.  I hadn't realized this existed, as part of the public school system, when I first posted!




 
 
 
 

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