Hong Kong Orientation Guide

Early Childhood Education

Nursery, kindergarten and reception programs concentrate on the ‘learning through play’ ethos. All three systems embrace this philosophy as the cornerstone to the building blocks of education.

Primary Years

The primary years programs will vary from system to system.The major difference is inquiry- based approach to teaching versus knowledge-based approach to teaching. Both methods have positive statements in their favour.The International Baccalaureate isastrongadvocateof the inquiry based approach to learning and they believe that it creates lifelong learners equipped with the tools needed for the 21st Century. The curriculum will vary with the educational system. The main concentration, regardless of the system, is consolidating reading, writing and arithmetic. Children shift from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’ in the primary years program. A number of established schools here will incorporate mathematics or literacy programs from another country into their curriculum if they feel it is superior to what is on offer in their own system.

Secondary School

The secondary schoolyearsarewhere thedifferenteducational systemsbecomediverse. The main purpose of the secondary school years is to prepare your child for university and the International Baccalaureate, BritishA Levels, French,Australian,American andCanadian diplomas are accepted worldwide.

Universities

Hong Kong provides a wide variety of educational options at the university level. Major institutions include: University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic. In recent years the student make-up at these campuses have become increasingly international with many overseas students choosing to study in Hong Kong due to high level of English fluency andthegrowingroleofAsiaintheeconomy.

International Playgroups, Pre-schools and Kindergartens

There are a large variety of pre-school options for children. Whilst pre-schools will take children from all areas, we recommend you make your pre-school choice based largely on location. Majority of children travel to school by school bus and are collected from their homes. Therefore, short travel times are easier for small children tomanage.We strongly recommend you visit several schools and apply to all that may interest you as spaces can be limited. Hong Kong pre-schools and Kindergartens generally cater to children 2 to 5.5 years of age in morning and/or afternoon sessions.

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