Seoul, South Korea Report of what it's like to live there - 10/23/15
Personal Experiences from Seoul, South Korea
School Name:
ECLC International Kindergarten
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Both.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Preschool through kindergarten.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2014-15, currently enrolled for 2015-16 school year.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
US Government / State Dept.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Their teaching philosophy and curriculum were aligned with my personal values. Since I am a US-trained teacher in Early Childhood education, it has not been easy for me to find school that I felt comfortable with in South Korea, both as a teacher and a parent. Many schools are way too focused on achievement, as opposed to age-appropriate balance of academics and play, etc.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
B - great overall, although sometimes I wish there was some kind of special way to help out those who are brand new to the country, etc. Having said that, on the individual level, everyone I have encountered so far has been very willing to lend a helping hand, etc.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
It is a small school environment, very friendly, warm and welcoming. My somewhat shy daughter adjusted very well and is totally thriving. I am very happy both as a parent and a teacher there (I don't teach my daughter's grade.) In my opinion, it is by far the most child-friendly early childhood education program in Seoul.
2. For the following attributes, down to the next blank box, grade your experience at the school on a scale of A (excellent) to F (unacceptable/terrible) and provide comments:<br><br>Overall fair and equitable treatment of all students and families:
A - I think that the relatively small size of the school and their general approach of "process-based education" allows for a lot of personal attention to individual children and families.
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
There is a communication notebook that teachers check daily, and parents are asked to check daily as well. I feel like it is gradually fading away, since most people are opting to use email instead. Each classroom has its own email account, and most parents use that for regular communication, plus of course, personal meeting, phone calls, etc. Teachers are generally friendly and available for conversation.
4. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
PE Uniforms are provided by the school. Lunch program is optional. You can pay for a hot catered lunch for your child, or you can pack them their own.
5. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
I know that they have an English Learner program for kids for whom English is a second language, especially if they are really struggling to keep up. Generally, the program is structured in such a way that individual children are able to learn at their own pace, and teachers are always encouraged to meet their students where they are, and gently challenge them to go further. Mild learning difficulties can be accommodated, but I have seen one case when one family was asked to provide a full-time teaching aid because their neurologically atypical child could not otherwise function in the typical classroom setting.
6. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
There are after-school clubs available to kids ages 4-6, and they vary each semester. Parents sign up for them individually, and kids look like they are having fun. We have not done it ourselves yet, so I don't really have any first-hand experience.
7. Administration-parent communication:
Emails, newsletters, etc. The head of the school has an open-door policy, and parents are always welcome to stop by if they have any questions or concerns.
8. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
There are monthly field trips, and the costs are usually covered by the school.
Academics & Resources:
1. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
There is a great library with a variety of age-appropriate books for young children. Children have their special Library Class once a week where they learn about library rules, the librarian reads them a couple of stories, and each then child gets to check out a book for one week. Parents are also encouraged to come on their own and check out book for their kids from the school library.
2. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
PE class is twice a week, it is usually held in a special PE room that is like a padded little gym with a bunch of PE equipment that they rotate in/out constantly. The PE teacher is a cool dude who loves being silly with kids, and they always look forward to his games and warm-ups.
3. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Depends of the grade level, but generally, each class has two full-time classroom teachers, and the biggest class is about 16 students or so (preschool level). The kindergarten might have one main classroom teacher for a class of 10-12 people and one more "floater" teacher who floats between the two classes. Toddlers have 14 students with two classroom teachers plus all the additional "special" teachers, such as Library, PE, and Music.
4. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Music is taught by a wonderful, fun teacher twice a week, and it is also a part of the general program. Kids are always learning new songs and singing to themselves, parents, teachers, etc. It is quite lovely. Music room also has a wide variety of simple musical instruments that kids are welcome to try out, and that they use on a regular basis during their music classes --- shakers, all kinds of drums, various bells, etc.
5. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes - typically each class would have one native-English speaker (or a very professionally proficient speaker) and another teacher would be ethnic Korean who is fluent in English, and often is fully bilingual (Korean/English.) All instruction is always in English, though.
Overall Impressions:
1. Greatest challenge?
Cost -exorbitant, really. A huge percentage of the student population has their tuition fees covered by their parent's employer as part of their corporate compensation package. The US Embassy pays only for K2 currently (ages 5 and after), so anything beyond that has to come out of the parents' pocket. But do it if you can, this great school is worth every penny.
2. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Absolutely. It has been a great experience for our daughter. She learned a ton, made a lot of friends, and was surrounded by a loving, caring,and active learning community. For those of us who have to trot around the globe every couple of years, these things are truly priceless.
