Your child can still do IB in an International School

[libran269]

Snow Crystal:

Truth Hurts:

Hi parents

Just a thought. Many of us want our kids to do IB. Has anyone considered IB in an International school like: SJI International or ACS International? Its a little expensive but its one option. Besides mixing with children from all over the world is a good way to globalise them. Your views? Thanks

Pros - international exposure, good class size, more attention, less stress, less need for tuition (hopefully), more vocal, speak less Singlish and speak more proper English.

Cons - High cost (S$2xK/year alone for school fees), 17-20% score 40 and above (vs minimum 50% in ACSI IB), be prepared to send the kids overseas eventually, influence on behaviour and attitude in a bid to belong, hole in parents' pockets to keep up with Jones, must put in more efforts to maintain life long friendships as the friends may return to own countries or stay abroad eventually.

Agree on the pros & cons; I have seen quite a few kids and they display similar behaviour.

[Coolkidsrock2]

I totally agree on the behaviour and attitude part. Most of the residents in my location are foreigners and DD attended pre-school in a predominately internationalised environment. She did Japanese along with Chinese at pre-school. Alternative was other European languages. Even though she was only 3-4 years old, the influence on behaviour and attitude was obvious. Took her out after a year.

[Coolkidsrock2]

In terms of language use, it was a choice between Singlish or swear words.

[Nebbermind]

Coolkidsrock2:

In terms of language use, it was a choice between Singlish or swear words.

So which is worse? :rotflmao:

[mylittleprincess]

Interesting topic, as i teach in an international school and i am Singaporean, who has gone through A levels.


I teach IB and its only after i teach IB , i realise the value and the difference in the curriculum.

IB is more holistic and it not just focused on the academics, but also the service creativity element, which is in fact a life skill.

It's true that in local international schools like SJII, HCI, ACS Int, the cultural is vastly different from A levels. Students are more expressive, more interactive due to smaller class sizes. There is a good mix of locals and international students, thereby exposing the kids to a cosmopolitan of cultures and values. (which includes good and bad vibes)

We have many students in our school who do stay in spore to complete unis . Some went to SMU, NTU and NUS. so it doesn't mean that all must and will go overseas. However, it is true that many parents are more open to having their kids in overseas colleges and unis because of the high receptiveness of IB qualifications overseas, and maybe the prestige factor.

I have children of my own and i do wish for them to be able to do IB instead of A levels in the future. Me having mugged my way through A levels, i feel IB might be more suitable for my own kids as it might suit their character more, and because i have myself witnessed how the students blossom throughout IB. Well , not all are suited but if they are, IB is a good alternative to higher education.

Just my thoughts

[resgmom]

I think it really depends on the children. For many Singaporean I actually think that IB education would be good to develop more holistic aspects, but for those students who are already more open minded and have spent time overseas (e.g. slmkhoo's experience and one of my kid's experience) A levels may be good if the children want more depths in their studies.


Also if the parents' aim is for children to go to local institutions I think A level is better (least the children get influence by their peers in the IB program, to request to go overseas ). From what I heard in SOTA, 50% of the kids went overseas, either on scholarships (local or overseas institutions) or on mam/papa scholarships - I suspect similar percentage in SJI and ACSI, and even higher percentages at the international schools who undertook further studies overseas.

[jetsetter]

mylittleprincess:

Interesting topic, as i teach in an international school and i am Singaporean, who has gone through A levels.


I teach IB and its only after i teach IB , i realise the value and the difference in the curriculum.

IB is more holistic and it not just focused on the academics, but also the service creativity element, which is in fact a life skill.

It's true that in local international schools like SJII, HCI, ACS Int, the cultural is vastly different from A levels. Students are more expressive, more interactive due to smaller class sizes. There is a good mix of locals and international students, thereby exposing the kids to a cosmopolitan of cultures and values. (which includes good and bad vibes)

We have many students in our school who do stay in spore to complete unis . Some went to SMU, NTU and NUS. so it doesn't mean that all must and will go overseas. However, it is true that many parents are more open to having their kids in overseas colleges and unis because of the high receptiveness of IB qualifications overseas, and maybe the prestige factor.

I have children of my own and i do wish for them to be able to do IB instead of A levels in the future. Me having mugged my way through A levels, i feel IB might be more suitable for my own kids as it might suit their character more, and because i have myself witnessed how the students blossom throughout IB. Well , not all are suited but if they are, IB is a good alternative to higher education.

Just my thoughts

Good read, thanks! IB sounds like my cup of tea, after reading the IP threads

[Jennifer]

mylittleprincess:

Interesting topic, as i teach in an international school and i am Singaporean, who has gone through A levels.


I teach IB and its only after i teach IB , i realise the value and the difference in the curriculum.

IB is more holistic and it not just focused on the academics, but also the service creativity element, which is in fact a life skill.

It's true that in local international schools like SJII, HCI, ACS Int, the cultural is vastly different from A levels. Students are more expressive, more interactive due to smaller class sizes. There is a good mix of locals and international students, thereby exposing the kids to a cosmopolitan of cultures and values. (which includes good and bad vibes)

We have many students in our school who do stay in spore to complete unis . Some went to SMU, NTU and NUS. so it doesn't mean that all must and will go overseas. However, it is true that many parents are more open to having their kids in overseas colleges and unis because of the high receptiveness of IB qualifications overseas, and maybe the prestige factor.

I have children of my own and i do wish for them to be able to do IB instead of A levels in the future. Me having mugged my way through A levels, i feel IB might be more suitable for my own kids as it might suit their character more, and because i have myself witnessed how the students blossom throughout IB. Well , not all are suited but if they are, IB is a good alternative to higher education.

Just my thoughts

:thankyou: for sharing.

There is CNIS. Do you, by chance, hv any thoughts about this institution?

[pinkie]

Hi mylittleprincess, thanks for sharing.


From your teaching experiences and observations, would you share what type of students will be suitable for IB or A levels.

Thanks.

[mylittleprincess]

Jennifer

I have a colleague whose wife is teaching there. but I believe that is a 'pure' international school whereby locals may not be admitted. There was an example of a potential student who is a Singaporean but have been overseas her whole life, and now at 14 yo..wants to enter Nexus, another 'pure' intl school, it was rejected by MOE, though the school accepted her.
So unless ur child , and perhaps one parent is not a Singaporean, CNIS, and places like UWC cannot take ur child in. other options will be SJII, HCI, ACS intl, whom the government allows locals to do secondary and IB qualifications there. as for how the school is, sorry, I am not sure:)

Pinkie
I cannot sterotype which type of students are more suited to IB or A levels, but based on my experience and personal opinion, students who do IB are quite outspoken and creative, in terms of communication, interaction and thinking. They may not be the most sociable people, but IB helps one to develop the life skills needed. of cuz, the curriculum is as tough as A levels, but there is quite some components of essays, reports, coursework. I have had feedback from some students who completed IB, and in uni overseas, were in the same class with students from JCs, some A level holders struggled with reports, formatting, citation etc..part and parcel of uni assignments. But IB students could cite and reference quite easily and correctly as they have to do that in certain IB subjects. Of course, A level holders may excel in other areas which IB holders may not do as well..but at uni level, its really up to the individual to make it or break it.,:P

I came from A level background and honestly didn't do as well and when I went to uni, I struggled a lot as I went to an overseas uni..the students there were all outspoken, had their own ideas, and very communicative. so, for me, I felt A levels didn't prepare me well for uni studies. so I learnt the hard way in uni and slowly opened up. But that's just me. I cannot say for local unis cuz I have no experience, but I suspect all parents wish for the best for their children. And depending on the individual's ability and needs, some might find A level more suited in order to get into local unis.

resgmom
true that SOTA students usually go overseas, but is it perhaps due to the nature of degree studies they are doing? I am suspecting it might be some Arts program that perhaps some overseas unis have more reputation and prestige, and the limited vacancies or lack of suitable programs in Singapore for students in SOTA to do their unis studies here? I am not sure though:)
I do have some many Singaporean students who have lived their whole life overseas, but parents want them to enter an international school here still, so that they won't have to face the harsh reality of MOE school
but that is again individual choice..