Be careful what you wish for!
Two years ago, we moved to San Francisco with a daughter who was a native Japanese speaker, and was reading far behind grade level in English. She knew the alphabet and could write her name and read simple words like, "The cat sat on the mat," but she started third grade and brought home D's for a while.
Then, last year....she caught up, and brought home B's, and even a few A's.
Surprise, surprise! Daughter is now saying that when we return to Japan in approximately two years, she doesn't want to go back to Japanese schools -- she wants to stay in an English-language school. And get this: she asked me if there are any all-girl Catholic schools near our Tokyo apartment.
Um... yes, in fact, there is one. And it's a great school. And it costs and arm and a leg and a pancreas and a liver and a LUNG, for chrissake. It hadn't even crossed my mind to send Daughter there.
I was counting on Daughter wanting to return to a Japanese middle school with her Japanese friends, most of whom will be going to either public or inexpensive private schools.
Of course, how can I be anything but happy, that she self-identifies as an English-speaker now, and even has definite ideas about what she wants for herself?
But I am secretly terrified that it is up to ME, not Hub (who -- let's face it -- works for the government), to earn the money for the kids' education. This conversation over at AmFam, although it's about a slightly different situation from ours, has particular relevance for me -- the delicate balance of a family's values and finances with what is best for an individual child.
(Gulp!) The pressure is on.....
Then, last year....she caught up, and brought home B's, and even a few A's.
Surprise, surprise! Daughter is now saying that when we return to Japan in approximately two years, she doesn't want to go back to Japanese schools -- she wants to stay in an English-language school. And get this: she asked me if there are any all-girl Catholic schools near our Tokyo apartment.
Um... yes, in fact, there is one. And it's a great school. And it costs and arm and a leg and a pancreas and a liver and a LUNG, for chrissake. It hadn't even crossed my mind to send Daughter there.
I was counting on Daughter wanting to return to a Japanese middle school with her Japanese friends, most of whom will be going to either public or inexpensive private schools.
Of course, how can I be anything but happy, that she self-identifies as an English-speaker now, and even has definite ideas about what she wants for herself?
But I am secretly terrified that it is up to ME, not Hub (who -- let's face it -- works for the government), to earn the money for the kids' education. This conversation over at AmFam, although it's about a slightly different situation from ours, has particular relevance for me -- the delicate balance of a family's values and finances with what is best for an individual child.
(Gulp!) The pressure is on.....
posted by L. at 11:21 AM
2 Comments:
Interesting! I'd be interested in knowing what you perceive as the cultural implications of her choice.
:)
Peace,
~Chani
I totally understand - my loving but underearning (erm) husband has stated emphatically he wants our children to attend international schools in Japan. But who'll pay -> I wonder. Our son is now at an international preschool in Osaka and his English is already stronger than his Japanese.
Anyhow, I think its great that your daughter has a set idea about what she wants to do, and even better for you that you want to consider it. The middle school years are hard enough on kids without the burden of being an "outsider." That said -- there are several returnee schools in Tokyo that are cheaper than international schools, and actually have a good record of integrating children like your daughter. Might be worthwhile to check out the AFWJ or MIJ networks!
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