navigating nihon
| Skool Time
|
8.04.2004 |
Today was our day of rest.
Being mostly teachers in Japan we asked if we could visit a school while in Kuching. This morning, we visited Lodge International School. The school has students from the age of 5 right up to 17. The Headmaster was very friendly as were the teachers - answering all of our questions and letting us sit in (and help out with) the mornings' classes. I visited a 4th grade class who were so energetic, asking loads of questions. It was such a contrast to a Japanese class were the students are much more introverted and shy. We taught them some simple Japanese phrases, answered loads of (sometimes inappropriate and bold!) questions and taught them how to make paper cranes! It was a blast!
The students at this school were following the Campbridge curriculum and were all the children of expats - a requirement of the school. The Malaysian government does not recognize the British system and most students at the school will attend university overseas. Atleast one parent must be a non-Malay. The school is vastly popular and as a result, they have a 2nd school for Malaysian students that follows the government curriculum.
The biggest shock for me at the school (aside from the students willingness to think independantly) was the number of languages spoken! I would hasard a guess that each student could speak atleast 3 languages. English, Bahasa-Malay and their mother toghune. I heard students speaking Japanese, German, French, Mandarin, Cantonese - - just to name a few. Wow, this kids will have a huge advantage in a few years!
In the afternoon we headed out of Kuching to a nearby park reserve for orangutans. This park was of note because in the past few years they have had a number of successful births! It was just a quick trek into the jungle to the feeding platform - where about 6 orangutans came, including a mother and her baby! The animals seemed quite happy and healthy - and their surroundings were lush! From what I have read, most of Borneo Malaysia remains untouched and is still home to a large number of mammals/bird/plants that exist in their natural habitat. There is still hope!
emma found her way @ 4:09 p.m.
Being mostly teachers in Japan we asked if we could visit a school while in Kuching. This morning, we visited Lodge International School. The school has students from the age of 5 right up to 17. The Headmaster was very friendly as were the teachers - answering all of our questions and letting us sit in (and help out with) the mornings' classes. I visited a 4th grade class who were so energetic, asking loads of questions. It was such a contrast to a Japanese class were the students are much more introverted and shy. We taught them some simple Japanese phrases, answered loads of (sometimes inappropriate and bold!) questions and taught them how to make paper cranes! It was a blast!
The students at this school were following the Campbridge curriculum and were all the children of expats - a requirement of the school. The Malaysian government does not recognize the British system and most students at the school will attend university overseas. Atleast one parent must be a non-Malay. The school is vastly popular and as a result, they have a 2nd school for Malaysian students that follows the government curriculum.
The biggest shock for me at the school (aside from the students willingness to think independantly) was the number of languages spoken! I would hasard a guess that each student could speak atleast 3 languages. English, Bahasa-Malay and their mother toghune. I heard students speaking Japanese, German, French, Mandarin, Cantonese - - just to name a few. Wow, this kids will have a huge advantage in a few years!
In the afternoon we headed out of Kuching to a nearby park reserve for orangutans. This park was of note because in the past few years they have had a number of successful births! It was just a quick trek into the jungle to the feeding platform - where about 6 orangutans came, including a mother and her baby! The animals seemed quite happy and healthy - and their surroundings were lush! From what I have read, most of Borneo Malaysia remains untouched and is still home to a large number of mammals/bird/plants that exist in their natural habitat. There is still hope!
emma found her way @ 4:09 p.m.
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