Chinese student wants to study abroad

[Ruth]

I'm the foreign expert in the office, so I know everything, right?

A student who just finished high school wants to go abroad to university. (Left it a little late for this fall's admission, but that's just my opinion.) I told the teacher who asked me for advice for this student that I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. However, I'm willing to find out.

The kid isn't good enough to pass the English test that is supposedly required. But perhaps if he went to a language institute it wouldn't matter. What do I think? Let me repeat: I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. What I think doesn't count.

Perhaps when I'm in Canada I could talk to somebody and find out. WHO THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK TO? I'm going home to visit family, none of whom work in a university, let alone a university that accepts foreign students who don't speak English well.

Anyway - I told the teacher that the internet was probably the best place to start looking and that I would try to find out something. Apparently the country doesn't matter. Just somewhere abroad.

So - any advice for me? I'll do the research, just point me in the right direction. Unless someone already knows the answers, in which case I don't mind being spoon fed.

[Newbs]

www.elicos.com
might be one place where you can get started. Okay, it's Australian, but I guess Canada would have a similare organisation.

Newbs

[woza17]

Ruth, often students, friends ask me about studying abroad. My first question is why. It's very expensive and unless you get a good degree which will take a few years, it's not worth it, monywise. Is the family rich? You mentioned that the student's English is not good. I would really question the student's motives

I had a good idea awhile ago of setting up a house living with 10 students and fully immerse them in English and culture. (George don't bite). Specifically for students who are going to study abroad.
My mate Allen, thinks this is a great idea and he has a house in Dongguan that he says I can use for this purpose. It would be cheaper than studying for a year overseas and I think more effective.
Cheers Woza

[George61]

ully immerse them in English and culture. (George don't bite).

Hey!! ....seriously, that's a good idea.

[con's fly is open]

Woza, that's a FANTASTIC idea! The native speaker-to-Chinese-person ratio would have to be rather high, but nonetheless, since you're both the teacher and the owner, there's a great buck to be made- and also a tremendous quality service.
You could set aside one room in the house for speaking Chinese, and put in some kind of penalty system for speaking hanyu in the other areas: e.g. whoever's caught the most times takes an extra shift cleaning the bathroom. This was used when we took French immersion- well, you had to write 100 lines, not clean the bathroom (janitor's union would have flipped).

Wow, this could be a huge frachise: English House. Wish I'd thought of it first.

[Jollyjunklass]

Ruth, this is the University I went to and it's requirements for foreign students. international.laurentian.ca/faq/chinese.php this will give her her answers in chinese.

What are the English Language requirements for international students?
In order for foreign students to be exempt from the EAP (English for Academic
Preparation) program at Laurentian University, a certain level of English Language
Proficiency is required. The following will exempt the student from EAP:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)—minimum score of 213 (computer based) or 550 (paper based).
A minimum of two years of full-time senior level studies in an English language secondary school or post-secondary institution. (Official documents are required).
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)—minimum score of 6.5.
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)—minimum score of 85.
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment—minimum score of 60, with 60 in Writing Proficiency.
Cambridge English Proficiency—minimum result of C.
Equivalent evidence of English language proficiency.

If I do not have TOEFL, do I need to take EAP (English for Academic Preparation)
to receive admission to a degree program?
If you do not have TOEFL or an equivalent English score, then you will be required to
take EAP (English for Academic Preparation) prior to a degree program. You will be
offered conditional admission to a degree program, on the condition that you successfully complete EAP.

My mom used to teach this stuff to the Lybian Students, there was a huge group of them. They spoke very little English when they arrived at the University, I was living at home, at the time, so I hung out with them sometimes.

I also know Conestoga College has some kind of deal going on with China, one sec. www.conestogac.on.ca/jsp/international/index.jsp

This can be viewed in Chinese also, they have some type of do half in China, the rest at Conestoga. I read it about 2 months ago, and I can't remember exactly how it went. Look around the Conestoga website a bit.

[Ruth]

thanks for the advice, all. Useful information. I like the 'why' question, Woza. Make them think about it. I find that so many have this dream (and dreams are good to have), but the practicalities get in the way. Now I have ammunition advice to answer back with when these questions come up.

I love the English house idea. Crippler and I used to be foster parents in a previous lifetime. We've talked about having high school kids here live with us (as an alternative to the dorm and as an English immersion experience). So far haven't acted on the thought. Our apt is small and we don't pay the bills. And we've grown to like our privacy...

[Mr Nobody]

I love the immersion idea. You would, however, have to charge like the blazes to make it ok

Hey, start a chain, Woza and the Saloony's total cultural college or something? Sounds like a rock band, but I have heard worse here.

[woza17]

George, sweetie I thought you would take the piss out of me for teaching culture, so I thought I would get in first.
Yeh Ruth, I would have to be earning big bucks to do this because it could be quite exhausting. I would have to have definite timeout. It would have to be highly organisede and lots of ground rules. When I go down to Dongguan I will check the house out and see if it would be suitable and then maybe see what the market is like.
Cheers Woza

[con's fly is open]

Woza, have you decided for sure to move South? If so, when? Mandi mentioned you may be gone in as little as two weeks.

[woza17]

Hey Con don't freak out I will be gone for a month. I will teach at the Summer camp. I can offer you the use of my apartment. I will give you a spare key when I see you next.
I have just signed a contract to terach in Dalian.
Woza

[Ruth]

That's good news - for me and I sincerely hope for you. Now I have longer to plan my Dalian visit.

[woza17]

Hey Ruth
Are you anywhere near Dandong? My Chinese mate has got his little heart set on going there with me Friday afternoon. I could do a whirlwind visit if you are.

[Ruth]

No, we are not near Dandong. Xingcheng is across the Bohai Sea from you. Still in Liaoning, but just barely. It took almost all day by train to get from here to there when we went last year. A little further than a 'pop over' visit.

[Dragonsaver]

Ruth

There is an International School in Hamilton ON, probably others in other cities. I will look for the name if you want. They have a lot of Chinese students. He may have to re-do his last year of High School. If you want more info etc let me know. I am moving tomorrow so I'm behind the 8 ball now. Still not packed. Been up since 4AM because i can't sleep, but on internet instead of packing..........go figure!!!

[Jollyjunklass]

Hey Dragonsaver,
I noticed you were from Ontario, where abouts?

[Dragonsaver]

Today I am living in Burlington, tomorrow I will be living in Odessa which is near Kingston. I understand you live near Kitchener. My son lives in Guelph and works at the University there.

[Mr Nobody]

Guelph? Sounds like the noise you make when something goes down the wrong way. Is there really a place called that?

[Dr. Gonzo]

Back to Ruth: If this student is serious and has a wealthy family, this is the field I work in here in Oz. Depending on his[?] age and ambitions, he could do preparatory studies in English only, or do a full senior high school program while taking ESL.
The international HS students are aged 18-20, the ELICOS [ESL only] kids are few years older.
Improvement is quite rapid.

[Crippler]

Ahh, good old Guelph, Ruth's Alma Mater! And the home of the then Junior B Holloday Platers hockey team. Many the night we enjoyed ourselves wrapped in a blanket at a Platers' game. Once I got myself clean from greasing cars at the local Canadian Tire that is.

[Ruth]

Hey, Dr. G. The original kid I started this thread for is probably not going to follow through. One of those passing fancies, pie in the sky kind of things.

BUT - I have a 12 year old student whose mother might be very interested in what you have to share. Mom has 'Harvard' in her mind, but surely we could convince her Oz is superior, especially with a 'friend' who can give advice. The student is just finishing grade 6 and starts junior middle school in the fall. What can I tell mom to help her plan her kid's future?

[acjade]

Start saving Mrs Ho. And you must let little Ping wei get some sleep. It's not good for him to study through the night.

[Mr Nobody]

And actually get good marks, not pay for them. Including English. A peice of paper saying he understands it will not help him pass.

[acjade]

daoding said:

And actually get good marks, not pay for them. Including English. A peice of paper saying he understands it will not help him pass.

And this you think she will understand? Have you learned nothing? ;D

[Mr Nobody]

They learn once in Oz at the Uni. Same as having to think. Or they fail. So maybe it could work here also. Somehow.

OK, call me naif. I haven't actually taught a lesson yet, that I have been paid for anyway.