Question: Will foreign kids in local schools speak Singlish?

[sierra2469alpha]

If it's just Singlish you're worried about, then a good look at where your whole family is heading might be a better start.

I know this harsh, so blame me, Mr. P

Cheers, Mr. P

[positano]

My kids now attend an International School anyway.

hi k1w1,

i am worried my child will learn singlish and not be able to communicate in proper English. i am especially concerned because Singapore is not our permanent home. i was wondering if you noticed a difference in your children's language after they changed from a local school to an international school? thanks.

[pumpkinseed]

I'm quite sure kids will pick it up regardless of which school they attend.
It's how often they use it that's the real question.

My good friend's child is 3, half Chinese, half Italian. Both parents speak excellent and almost unaccented English. Child attends local kindy and we're constantly amused by how Singaporean he sounds! How much Singlish he speaks tends to depend on who he is speaking to.

[boffenl]

Holy mackeral! My daughter has gone to a local kindergarten and attends a local primary school. Her English is excellent, but so is her Singlish.

She knows not to speak Singlish at home after her father told her he couldn't understand what she wanted (more chicken nuggets, can?).

Young children (as many others have noted) are remarkably resilient and will learn/do whatever is enforced at home. My daughter has commented that she needs to speak Singlish or else the lunch aunties at school can't understand her. Makes sense to me. If you give your child the idea it's funny to speak Singlish and not proper English, then she will. But if you let her know straight away it's not spoken in your home, then she won't.

This has worked for us, and I'd much rather have my daughter speak Singlish and get the experience of going to school with locals and expats than never having learned Singlish and missed out on having those friends and experiences.

[k1w1]

My kids now attend an International School anyway.

hi k1w1,

i am worried my child will learn singlish and not be able to communicate in proper English. i am especially concerned because Singapore is not our permanent home. i was wondering if you noticed a difference in your children's language after they changed from a local school to an international school? thanks.

Yes, they know sound like Americans.

And all this talk about "bilingual" kids is pretty funny, IMNSHO. I haven't yet met a child who has this ability...

[positano]

My kids now attend an International School anyway.

hi k1w1,

i am worried my child will learn singlish and not be able to communicate in proper English. i am especially concerned because Singapore is not our permanent home. i was wondering if you noticed a difference in your children's language after they changed from a local school to an international school? thanks.

Yes, they know sound like Americans.

And all this talk about "bilingual" kids is pretty funny, IMNSHO. I haven't yet met a child who has this ability...

hi k1w1,

that is encouraging to hear

btw i haven't met a child who has this bilingual English ability either

i am leaning towards international schooling because i want our eventual transition home to be as smooth as possible for our child.

cheers!

[boffenl]

I've met a few totally bilingual kids since I've been in Singapore (trilingual if you include Singlish). They slip in and out of Mandarin and English easily and are comfortable in both.

The intensive language learning is a huge plus for choosing the local schools for our family, also the discipline and rigorous math curriculum. But if those things aren't a big deal for you and your children (Mandarin means a LOT of outside work!) then an International School would allow you to head "home" without missing anything.

Sorry if I jumped in on a local school sucks thread/discussion, but a local school has been an amazing opportunity for my child--and yes, I fully expect she'll be conversant in Mandarin by P2. But again, if this language learning isn't important for your family, than an international school would probably be best.

[AussieSkater]

I know this is off-topic, but what local school does your child go to, as we are looking for a local school for when we move over from OZ in the new year for our two boys who will have to go into P1 and P3.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Well, my kids were at the forefront of the international but locally schooled experiment. Both of my kids went from kindergarten through their entire education in the local system and speaks fluent English (albeit the American Version), Singlish, Mandarin and they understand Tamil as well but don't actually practice speaking the language.

My daughter, now 24, is in the media/advertising field and as done very well in the few years since her graduation primarily because she CAN get on the phone and talk to her seniors in the UK or California and not have to keep repeating herself. She also has the distinct ability to unconsciously switch between the different "dialects" if you will even in a crowd of people at a party without even thinking about it, easily switching between English, Singlish and Mandarin (which was hard for her to learn as nobody speaks ANY Chinese in our home).Having taken it as her second language it has made her an asset as she looks western with her brown hair & light kopisusu complexion (S.American/latino/Spanish/Italian?) or even Northern Indian so when she replies in fluent Mandarin to somebody they get a jolt! (especially when she replies to some 'auntie' on a bus or mrt after making some derogatory comment about my wife & I. (the loss of face is a beautiful thing sometimes). My son is still in school at the moment (NAFA) but also took the same route and also slips in & out of whichever as the need/occasion calls for. As we have always tried to use Standard English (NOT received pronunciation!) and my having been away from the US for so many years they don't have any real accents at all that could be called distinctly American or Singaporean.

positano,

Be assured, there are a number of them out there. I've got 2 of 'em myself.

[boffenl]

SMS, always great to hear you weigh in on these conversations as your talented children are a real example to the rest of us trying to do the best we can.

My daughter attends Pei Tong Primary in Clementi--a historical Chinese Clan school with lots of history. She was very excited to tell me last week that there is a new African boy in her Mandarin class! Yes, tons of different races, religions and languages at a local school. They also just moved into a totally brand spanking new building--it seriously beats the University I attended. Plus they've made an effort to have different food available in the canteen for the kids. She has had an opportunity to try lots of different food at kid friendly sizes and prices.

Just call over to your local school (once you decide where to live) and get a tour. I toured three local schools with the principals of each of the schools--they were each proud of their schools accomplishments and their students. So refreshing! Not sure how it works getting the kids in once ballotting has finished. Good luck!

[AussieSkater]

I have been searching through the forums trying to work out what schools people are going to, so thanks for the info.

We haven't worked out yet where we are living, just depends on what school the boys can get into. Because we have missed the new automatic assignment, we just have to apply directly to the schools to see if they have any vacancies.

These forums have been a wealth of knowledge for us.

thanks

[boffenl]

Hi AussieSkater! We made most of it up as we went along. I'm sure you'll be fine. You might want to narrow down your living choices and then start a dialogue with the schools via e-mail before you arrive. Then the principal will know you're serious and will probably give you a spot at their school. It also helps if you're willing to join the parent's help committee (kind of like the PTA but not as organized). My husband did and has never been asked to do anything (his favorite kind of volunteering!). But it helps you feel connected to the school.

We truly have no issues with the school. The curriculum is spot on for our daughter's strengths (math and English) and has tempered her natural aggressiveness a bit. Do PM me if you have more issues or questions. Now we're moving into P2 and have to figure out uniforms and books! But first have to get through the final exams/assessments.

[itsdanniuk]

Yeah. I'm sure they would learn some singlish, but would only use them around their friends. Other than that, they'll know when to switch back. So you don't have to worry too much. (:

Danni

[positano]

Well, my kids were at the forefront of the international but locally schooled experiment. Both of my kids went from kindergarten through their entire education in the local system and speaks fluent English (albeit the American Version), Singlish, Mandarin and they understand Tamil as well but don't actually practice speaking the language.

My daughter, now 24, is in the media/advertising field and as done very well in the few years since her graduation primarily because she CAN get on the phone and talk to her seniors in the UK or California and not have to keep repeating herself. She also has the distinct ability to unconsciously switch between the different "dialects" if you will even in a crowd of people at a party without even thinking about it, easily switching between English, Singlish and Mandarin (which was hard for her to learn as nobody speaks ANY Chinese in our home).Having taken it as her second language it has made her an asset as she looks western with her brown hair & light kopisusu complexion (S.American/latino/Spanish/Italian?) or even Northern Indian so when she replies in fluent Mandarin to somebody they get a jolt! (especially when she replies to some 'auntie' on a bus or mrt after making some derogatory comment about my wife & I. (the loss of face is a beautiful thing sometimes). My son is still in school at the moment (NAFA) but also took the same route and also slips in & out of whichever as the need/occasion calls for. As we have always tried to use Standard English (NOT received pronunciation!) and my having been away from the US for so many years they don't have any real accents at all that could be called distinctly American or Singaporean.

positano,

Be assured, there are a number of them out there. I've got 2 of 'em myself.

thanks SMS

[esunad]

Hi Boffenl, I am planning to put my child (10yrs old) into a local school.
I´d really appreciate discussing this with someone having personal experience. I am also not sure which local school to put him into. I´d prefer a school with a friendly and creative atmosphere, some pressure but not too much and prefarably some expat kids as well. Any comments are welcome. Thanks