Chile Forum

Hi!

I'm sure this question has been posted/asked many times, so feel free to point me to another thread if you are aware of one!

We are moving to Santiago in January/Febuary 2012 and would like any recommendations for Schools for our 7 & 9 year old Kid's. They'll be finishing yrs 1 & 4 December 2011 in Australia.

Our preferences/wishes:

- Lessons predominantly in English
- Cost is a factor in our decision
- Doesn't have to be internationally accredited (I'm assuming this adds cost?)
- Good reputaion

Any recommendations or website links woiuld be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Grant

...

Most Aussie kids I know go to Nido de Aguilas. It´s an American school (so, if your kids go there, they will repeat the second half of their last year, as the next school year begins in July) and hideously expensive. Some I know also go to TIPS, very small, but great quality if you like small class size. These are the only two schools I know of in Santiago that have 100% English tuition.

Other good schools (with very strong English, but not all tuition is in English, only the kinder years afaik) are Santiago College, Craighouse, Lincoln College and The Grange (although, The Grange seems to be slipping lately from what I´ve heard). All these schools are private schools and very expensive, but are the only English schools that I know of.

There are a number of other good schools that does have some level of English, but I don´t know anyone that goes to them personally, so can´t comment.

this wont be 100% english, but there is alot, there is no one person from this school that i have not been able to have a conversaion in, in english......... but might find it is cheaper, but still good.....

http://www.colegiopedrodevaldivia.cl/

My chilean gf and all her sisters went here, all speak english... hers is 100% perfect, her sisters have lost a bit of there english by not practicing since they left school.....

Is there really harm in a 7 and 9 year old learning in both english and spanish? i think its going to be a bigger benefit for them in the long run.... si o no? especially for a Aussie who is much like new zealanders and dont really learn other languages as we grow up....

Interesting questions, zerOnz. For us the issue was that at Craighouse, our daughter´s English deteriorated to ESL level within months. For someone who is here on a contract period, this wouldn´t matter, as they would go back and within no time, pick up the "lost" English. We are here for the long run, so we know our daughter will speak fluent Spanish by default (she takes Spanish First Language and achieved 100% on her last report card), but we want her educated with English First Language for future tertiary education (she might want to go and study on the Gold Coast! LOL!) and future business prospects. She might become a Chilean housewife, who knows, but we want her to have all the opportunities we can offer her.

Tombi wrote:Interesting questions, zerOnz. For us the issue was that at Craighouse, our daughter´s English deteriorated to ESL level within months. For someone who is here on a contract period, this wouldn´t matter, as they would go back and within no time, pick up the "lost" English. We are here for the long run, so we know our daughter will speak fluent Spanish by default (she takes Spanish First Language and achieved 100% on her last report card), but we want her educated with English First Language for future tertiary education (she might want to go and study on the Gold Coast! LOL!) and future business prospects. She might become a Chilean housewife, who knows, but we want her to have all the opportunities we can offer her.

Interesting, its something i need to keep in mind for when i grow up!

Thanks for all the tips - I'll check them all out!

zer0nz wrote: Is there really harm in a 7 and 9 year old learning in both english and spanish? i think its going to be a bigger benefit for them in the long run.... si o no? especially for a Aussie who is much like new zealanders and dont really learn other languages as we grow up....

Yep, we sure want them to be immersed with Spanish, so as long as there is a fair whack taught in English, they should be fine (both very bright kids!). Having some lessons in English will also help their confidence settling in to a completly different culture!

We are moving over for my Wife's work, for at least 12 months, but probably not longer than 2 years. So I'm not overly concerned about our kids possibly losing out (educationally) for a bit because of the language barrier, as the cultural experience will be far more valuable!

I'm really looking forward to learning Spanish too! How do you say 'donuts' in Spanish? Mmmmm . . . . . . . donuts!

Don't get too excited about donuts if you're coming to Santiago - you will be disappointed!!

Check out San Gabriels http://www.sangabriel.cl/ - has classes in English for younger. A friend of mine has her 5 year old there and seems happy. MUCH more affordable than the other ones mentioned.

You can say "donuts" here thanks to Dunkin Donuts. Otherwise I´ve heard people call it roquillo, which is really technically a bagel.

Tombi wrote:You can say "donuts" here thanks to Dunkin Donuts. Otherwise I´ve heard people call it roquillo, which is really technically a bagel.

My Favorite,

Me: Whats a Six pack called in Chile......

Chilean: Six Pack

I'm really looking forward to learning Spanish too! How do you say 'donuts' in Spanish? Mmmmm . . . . . . . donuts!

In Spanish.. I don't know.. but in Chile.. it's 'dount-po'

funkygas- Did you ever decide on a school for your kiddos? If so, which one did you choose and has school started for them yet? We're hoping to check out a couple of them on our trip to Chile next month. We have two girls (ages 3 &1) and thought a relocation may be in our future. We're hoping for an IB school, one that teaches in English, and just as you said, one that isn't TOO expensive. Would love to get an update from you.

Thanks!