Comments on: Chinese immigrants vs. Laowai expats http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats A cross-cultural adventure with the personal side of China. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:35:42 +0000 hourly 1 By: William Crampton http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-13449 William Crampton Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:21:55 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-13449 Joel, Jessica, Just a quick follow-up. We have enrolled our three children in public schools in Beijing. They are very happy with their classes and classmates. Besides being content in school they seem to be learning the language quickly. My fears about the how they would be treated have vanished. We have so far found the Chinese people to be most helpful and friendly. Teachers have gone out of their way to help even offering to be a guardian (a requirement because I am on an L visa) for my eight year old son. Cheers Joel, Jessica,
Just a quick follow-up.
We have enrolled our three children in public schools in Beijing. They are very happy with their classes and classmates. Besides being content in school they seem to be learning the language quickly.
My fears about the how they would be treated have vanished. We have so far found the Chinese people to be most helpful and friendly. Teachers have gone out of their way to help even offering to be a guardian (a requirement because I am on an L visa) for my eight year old son.
Cheers

]]> By: Shaday http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-13428 Shaday Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:46:43 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-13428 I agree with Bill. I think, with the parallel, we must consider the difference of the demand for each language, so part of the unbalance between both sides might be affected by the different demand of each language from a global perspective. I agree with Bill. I think, with the parallel, we must consider the difference of the demand for each language, so part of the unbalance between both sides might be affected by the different demand of each language from a global perspective.

]]> By: Bill Rich http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-13405 Bill Rich Sun, 28 Mar 2010 04:03:24 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-13405 The difference in situation between a Laowai kid in China and a Chinese kid in North America: 1. Chinese parents in NA usually work in the local language, and are comfortable in communicating with their children in the local language. Laowai parents in China may work in the local language, but mostly in English, or their native language. 2. Chinese kids in NA can go to internationals schools (IB), or a local school teaching in the local language. It is very difficult to find accredited schools that teaches in Chinese. So the language in the playground is typically English, not Chinese. Laowai kids in China can go to international schools that teach in English. The language in the playground is English, unless the Laowai kid goes to a Chinese school with mostly Chinese students. 3. Chinese kids in NA probably aiming at going to a NA college. Laowai kids in Chinese probably won't plan on going to a Chinese college. So Chinese kids in NA will try to be good enough in English to handle college, while Laowai kids in Chinese probably won't need to be good enough in Chinese to handle a Chinese university program 4. Chinese kids in NA are getting ready for a working environment in English, while Laowai kids are getting ready in a working environment in English and Chinese. The difference in situation between a Laowai kid in China and a Chinese kid in North America:

1. Chinese parents in NA usually work in the local language, and are comfortable in communicating with their children in the local language. Laowai parents in China may work in the local language, but mostly in English, or their native language.

2. Chinese kids in NA can go to internationals schools (IB), or a local school teaching in the local language. It is very difficult to find accredited schools that teaches in Chinese. So the language in the playground is typically English, not Chinese. Laowai kids in China can go to international schools that teach in English. The language in the playground is English, unless the Laowai kid goes to a Chinese school with mostly Chinese students.

3. Chinese kids in NA probably aiming at going to a NA college. Laowai kids in Chinese probably won’t plan on going to a Chinese college. So Chinese kids in NA will try to be good enough in English to handle college, while Laowai kids in Chinese probably won’t need to be good enough in Chinese to handle a Chinese university program

4. Chinese kids in NA are getting ready for a working environment in English, while Laowai kids are getting ready in a working environment in English and Chinese.

]]> By: Mike C http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-13398 Mike C Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:47:31 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-13398 A few cross-cultural families living in China might have a situation of never learning English properly. I know two examples of near-misses, my own and another. We had always spoken exclusively Cantonese at home, switching to Mandarin when we wanted to talk to friends that didn't speak Cantonese (I'm an American white guy, wife is from Hong Kong, we live in China). When our son was born, I made the effort to speak English to him (3yo now) and he's learning, albeit not as fast as Cantonese. The other person I know never taught his kids English at all (a white couple, living in Hong Kong), speaking only in Cantonese to them. His kids had to learn English from watching TV. A few cross-cultural families living in China might have a situation of never learning English properly. I know two examples of near-misses, my own and another. We had always spoken exclusively Cantonese at home, switching to Mandarin when we wanted to talk to friends that didn’t speak Cantonese (I’m an American white guy, wife is from Hong Kong, we live in China). When our son was born, I made the effort to speak English to him (3yo now) and he’s learning, albeit not as fast as Cantonese. The other person I know never taught his kids English at all (a white couple, living in Hong Kong), speaking only in Cantonese to them. His kids had to learn English from watching TV.

]]> By: William Crampton http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-9317 William Crampton Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:44:03 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-9317 Thanks Jessica. I sent New Century an email this morning. Your advice on location is appreciated. Thanks Jessica. I sent New Century an email this morning. Your advice on location is appreciated.

]]> By: Jessica http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-9290 Jessica Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:05:28 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-9290 Hi William, Since your children are 12 and 14, my suggestion to you would be to homeschool them while sending them to a language center that specializes in teaching Chinese to foreigners. I suggest this because I think it would be very difficult for your 12 and 14 year old, having never learned Chinese, to be "immersed" into a public school setting. The language would be so far above their heads that it might even be counterproductive to their goal of learning the language. Especially with a plan to only stay two years in China. On the other hand, the language school we attended (or one like it), newcenturychinese.com, would (I think) be a great option. In two years, especially with their background in learning other languages, they would be able to progress quite quickly. I would also recommend moving to a city that is a friendly environment for language learning...like Tianjin. Larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai are not only more expensive (both in terms of language school cost and daily living), but people tend to view foreigners as tourists that are just passing through. In Tianjin, people are (while used to seeing the occasional foreigner) still curious and friendly and talkative. It's the kind of place where you can quite easily get to know the people in your neighborhood...giving lots of chances for language practice.:) That's my 2 kuai worth, anyway. :) Hi William,

Since your children are 12 and 14, my suggestion to you would be to homeschool them while sending them to a language center that specializes in teaching Chinese to foreigners. I suggest this because I think it would be very difficult for your 12 and 14 year old, having never learned Chinese, to be “immersed” into a public school setting. The language would be so far above their heads that it might even be counterproductive to their goal of learning the language. Especially with a plan to only stay two years in China. On the other hand, the language school we attended (or one like it), newcenturychinese.com, would (I think) be a great option. In two years, especially with their background in learning other languages, they would be able to progress quite quickly.

I would also recommend moving to a city that is a friendly environment for language learning…like Tianjin. Larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai are not only more expensive (both in terms of language school cost and daily living), but people tend to view foreigners as tourists that are just passing through. In Tianjin, people are (while used to seeing the occasional foreigner) still curious and friendly and talkative. It’s the kind of place where you can quite easily get to know the people in your neighborhood…giving lots of chances for language practice.:)

That’s my 2 kuai worth, anyway. :)

]]> By: William Crampton http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-9281 William Crampton Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:19:45 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-9281 My children (at least the 12 and 14 year old) asked me to take them to China to learn the language. I will try to home school them in math and English, God forbid , eh? I will contact your friends to see if they can give me advice on visas and enrolling them in school. Thank you for your kind response. My children (at least the 12 and 14 year old) asked me to take them to China to learn the language. I will try to home school them in math and English, God forbid , eh?

I will contact your friends to see if they can give me advice on visas and enrolling them in school.

Thank you for your kind response.

]]> By: Joel http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-9278 Joel Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:32:38 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-9278 That's a good question... wish I had a good answer for you. Our daughter is too young for school so we haven't started tackling the education-in-China issue. I can only tell you what I've heard from other parents. You can try contacting some friends of ours at their blogs who tried putting their kids in the public and private systems in Tianjin: <a href="http://www.nash.je/" rel="nofollow">Tim & Helen</a>, and <a href="http://brandtsx4.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Cindy & Jason</a>. Looks like Tim's & Helen's blog is having trouble at the moment. They also might be able to refer you to other families who have more experience. I've heard of foreign parents putting their kids in public schools in Taiwan and Japan. But aside from kindergarten and primary school, while one parent watched them like a hawk, I've not heard of foreign kids going through the education system in Mainland China. It seems to be the assumption that aside from language acquisition, there's no benefit and many detriments to the Chinese education system. I've also <em>heard </em>that the prejudice is greater in Mainland China, that kids will feel even more like outsiders, but I don't know if that's true. That’s a good question… wish I had a good answer for you. Our daughter is too young for school so we haven’t started tackling the education-in-China issue. I can only tell you what I’ve heard from other parents. You can try contacting some friends of ours at their blogs who tried putting their kids in the public and private systems in Tianjin: Tim & Helen, and Cindy & Jason. Looks like Tim’s & Helen’s blog is having trouble at the moment. They also might be able to refer you to other families who have more experience.

I’ve heard of foreign parents putting their kids in public schools in Taiwan and Japan. But aside from kindergarten and primary school, while one parent watched them like a hawk, I’ve not heard of foreign kids going through the education system in Mainland China. It seems to be the assumption that aside from language acquisition, there’s no benefit and many detriments to the Chinese education system.

I’ve also heard that the prejudice is greater in Mainland China, that kids will feel even more like outsiders, but I don’t know if that’s true.

]]> By: William Crampton http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-9275 William Crampton Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:13:09 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-9275 Pardon me if I am out of line. I think you all are at a much higher intellectual level than I but I am going to China next month and desperately need advice on a personal level. My wife and three children would like to move to China in January for two years. The children want to learn the Chinese language and culture. What does it take to enroll children in public schools? I am retired (62) and my wife speaks Spanish. I understand it is difficult to get a Z visa if you are over 60. We have been living in Japan for the last six years and the children, who were born in Guatemala, have gone to Japanese public school the entire time we have been here. They speak English, Spanish and Japanese well enough. The experience of putting the kids in a school where neither of us knew the language was horrible. Prejudice is incredible and the children have had many obstacles to overcome. Yet I think, after a short visit to China a year ago, that it may be harder in China than it was in Japan. Could anyone comment and advise please? I need to know how to immerse them and at the same time protect them from my imaginary (?) fears. Pardon me if I am out of line. I think you all are at a much higher intellectual level than I but I am going to China next month and desperately need advice on a personal level.
My wife and three children would like to move to China in January for two years. The children want to learn the Chinese language and culture. What does it take to enroll children in public schools? I am retired (62) and my wife speaks Spanish. I understand it is difficult to get a Z visa if you are over 60.
We have been living in Japan for the last six years and the children, who were born in Guatemala, have gone to Japanese public school the entire time we have been here. They speak English, Spanish and Japanese well enough.
The experience of putting the kids in a school where neither of us knew the language was horrible. Prejudice is incredible and the children have had many obstacles to overcome. Yet I think, after a short visit to China a year ago, that it may be harder in China than it was in Japan.
Could anyone comment and advise please? I need to know how to immerse them and at the same time protect them from my imaginary (?) fears.

]]> By: chriswaugh_bj http://chinahopelive.net/2009/07/04/chinese-immigrants-vs-laowai-expats/comment-page-1#comment-8620 chriswaugh_bj Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:22:59 +0000 http://chinahopelive.net/?p=3473#comment-8620 Glenn, I believe you are right in saying that China does not allow dual citizenship. Glenn, I believe you are right in saying that China does not allow dual citizenship.

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