Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
We noted a particularly large number of Chinese and Japanese children, mostly teenagers at secondary schools. A variety of factors make New Zealand an attractive choice for Asian parents:
New Zealand schooling provides an opportunity to learn English which has become almost the international language of commerce and technology.
New Zealand is viewed by many Asians as much safer than other foreign countries, such as the United States, where the children could learn English.
The change in the status of Hong Kong, transferring soverignity from Brotiain to the People's Republic, caused many Hong Kong Chinese to establish ties in other countries, including New Zealand. Thus in case the Communists clamped down on personal freedoms in Hong Kong, families would have options and children with excellent English skills in case they had to flee Hong Kong. Their worst expectations had to date not come to pass, but the outcome of the transition could not be predicted in advance.
Japanese parents are also sending noticeable numbers of children to New Zealand for their secondary education. One headmaster explained to us that he thought that often the Japanese students were often not the most capable academically. Apparently some parents concerned that their children might not excel in the rigorous Japanese secondary schools have instead opted for a foreign school.
Asian students at New Zealand schools have provided the following descriptions of their experiences in New Zealand at both intermediate and secondary schools.
I had a great time for eleven months in Leeston. I was staying with the McMahan family who live near the college. They taught me a lot of things, and they also they took me many places. My purpose for coming to New Zealand is to learn English conversation, but I could also know the culture, people, food, school and lots of other things about this country. When I came here, I was really surprised at the huge plain and plenty of sheep, and I was also surprised about transport. Leeston is different from my city, Osaka, in Japan. I think Ellesmere College has more freedom than my high school in Japan. And, the College has a nice environment. There are a lot of plants, big school ground covered in grass. I felt comfortable, and I could relax at the College. I took E.S.O.L and eight other subjects. It was hard to understand classes in Neglish. So, in the class (or form class) some kind people who were near me often helped me. The end of third term, I joined the chorus in the production 'Oliver'. I felt it wasn't easy to memorise songs, but, it was a lot of fun, when we were practicing at lunch time, weekends or on the stage. It was a good experience. And, I'd like to say "Thank you very much" to every one who made my time at Ellesmere College so enjoyable. I would also like to thank my teachers.
Kyoko Nakai, Ellesmere College--1999
First I came to this school last year. I felt strange because it was different from Korean schools. I felt strange because the Principal was young and had a lot of hair but most Korean Principals are old and don't have much hair. The Principal was a
good looking man. Then I found out the Principal's name. His name was Mr.Tredray. He was kind to me. Mr. Tredray Showed me my class. Then I met Mrs Coleman, she was
looking after the class because Mrs Te Kiri, was having a baby. Mrs Coleman was talking to me but I couldn't understood any words. That was like talking to a strange language person. But I understood one word that was " What is your name?" So I said "Te Min", but she couldn't pronounce it properly. Then I said "Te Min" again but she didn't pronounce it properly. Then she said "Write your name on the board", but I couldn't understand. Then Mrs. Coleman started using body language. Then I understood. Then I wrote my name on the board. She pronounced it perfectly. Then she showed me where I am sitting. School was so tiny and much smaller than a Korean school and there were not many people. So that was choice. I like the teachers because they don't hurt you if we get a detention or don't do our homework. And I like the way people helped me if I didn't understand. Also the teachers helped me too. I'd like to say thank you to Mrs Coleman, Mrs Te Kiri and Mrs Sellars. Mrs Sellars told me many things also Mrs Te Kiri and Mrs Coleman too. When I came to Peach Grove there were few Asian people but now there are a lot of Asian people. I think that Peach Grove is great school to learn English, Sewing, Cooking, Technology and all sorts of things. And I am happy that my name will stay in Peachgrove Intermediate's history.
Tei Min, Age 12, Peachgrove Intermediate School--1997
In Peachgrove, I never feel lonely, because the students here are all very friendly.
Here it has variety of sports that I can choose, take part in and enjoy. Such as soccer, netball, hockey, basketball, swimming and rugby. Here there is also an excellent E.S.L. English class. The teacher gives me an activity on interested learning circumstances to study. Peachgrove has a perfect Principal with many patient teachers. Here is place where I wanted to go.
Diana Shang, Age 11, Peachgrove Intermediate School--1997
My Name is Susan Shih. When I first start school, I was scared of the teachers but now I am not too scared, because I know all the teachers are kind and friendly. In Peachgrove we have traditional rules, the main puropse is to help us have good manners and attitude. There are No. 1 technology teachers in Peachgrove Intermediate. I get more confidence on school work and sport programmes.
Susan Shih, Age 11, Peachgrove Intermediate School--1997
My school is in Bangkok, Thailand, and it is very good. Here is a profile of it, not including the teaching style. There are 7 main buildings in the school with 5 floors in each building. In Bangkok we have lots of businesses. We can not use much land for schools; the reason for that is that land space is very expensive so they are better to build the schools upward. In Shirley Boys' High School I saw a big difference. Here people are very involved in activity and sport. Therefore Shirley Boys'has a big playing field. As everyone knows it's a common thing that everyone works and is busy in a capital city. Everyone tends to follow this role and so it is very busy in my Thai school. At Shirley Boys' everything is very different from my old Thai school. In my home school there is a good environment, good for study because everything invites me to study, and also it's very quiet. It's very easy to concentrate on study in that school. In Thailand we use only one uniform. It consists of just a short sleeved shirt and trousers because it's very hot, especially in Summer season. We wear just short sleeved shirt and short pants, that's all Thai students wear. Necktie, shirt, jersey, jacket, dark grey trousers and a pair of black leather shoes. All of this is my uniform in Shirley Boys'. As everyone knows the cold-wet weather is a common thing in New Zealand. I have seen another uniform about the school which might be for rain but many boys still wear it even if there is no rain. It's not right to say that my school in Thailand teaches differently from here, because it's basically the same. However there are a few differences. For example in Thailand almost all students respect the teacher. So when the teacher tells the students or wants something, all students are going to do what their teacher wants. But Shirley Boys' is notlike that. There are not many sports that we play in school in Thailand. Our favourite sports are soccer and basketball. So when we get free times in school, we always play those games, and right through the year.
Shirley Boys' High School--1997
