School for a kid with low English skills

[Suin]

Hello,
my son is 9 years old and he doesn't speak English, just a few words. How can he start schooling in Canada upon entering as PR? What is a way out for him in this case?
thank you.

[PMM]

Hi

Hello,
my son is 9 years old and he doesn't speak English, just a few words. How can he start schooling in Canada upon entering as PR? What is a way out for him in this case?
thank you.

The school will have him assessed and he will probably be placed in an ESL class (English as a Second Language.) before he is placed in mainstream classes.

PMM

[Maaties]

Can he speak a bit of english. I moved countries when I was young, I could not speack but I could understand TV. Within about 3 days of going to school, I couldn't shut up. Get him involved in English speaking activities now, even if it is watching TV. Thats just my opinion based from my experience.

[Suin]

Hi
The school will have him assessed and he will probably be placed in an ESL class (English as a Second Language.) before he is placed in mainstream classes.

PMM

thank you for your reply, PMM, how they can assess him if he doesn't speak English? does those ESL classes speak different languages - how they can teach kids who do not understand it?
also there's also a difference in age, as in my country kids start going to school when they are 7 years old, in Canada they start from 5. how can he stay in the class where kids are much younger than him? I even do not know what to expect.

[Suin]

Can he speak a bit of english. I moved countries when I was young, I could not speack but I could understand TV. Within about 3 days of going to school, I couldn't shut up. Get him involved in English speaking activities now, even if it is watching TV. Thats just my opinion based from my experience.

thank you for your advice, rupeshhari. the main problem is that he is not interested in learning another language. we do have some English speaking channels at home country, mostly cartoons but he doesn't like them as he doesn't understand.

[Maaties]

That is tough. You could take him to a private tutor now who could slowly teach him English, even if it is the basics. It could be simple things like learning nouns and basic verbs. Theres probably books in your country for little kids that teaches english in the home language.

I am no expert but I bet there are some people on here who could give you good advice. Think there are some ESL experts here. Good luck.

[PMM]

Hi

Hi
The school will have him assessed and he will probably be placed in an ESL class (English as a Second Language.) before he is placed in mainstream classes.

PMM

thank you for your reply, PMM, how they can assess him if he doesn't speak English? does those ESL classes speak different languages - how they can teach kids who do not understand it?
also there's also a difference in age, as in my country kids start going to school when they are 7 years old, in Canada they start from 5. how can he stay in the class where kids are much younger than him? I even do not know what to expect.

With no English he would be started in a beginners ESL class.  As his english improves he would spend more time in the mainstream classes.  As he makes friends in the school, I think that the English will improve.

PMM

[nix1]

Suin,

Don't worry too much. Kids learn very fast. Even though he may not be interested on learning English at this point, but when he gets to Canada and none of the other kids speak his language, he will start learning English very fast. That's the only way he can communicate with them, play with them and make friends with them.

I came to the US as an adult to learn English (ESL program that PMM has mentioned). It is much harder for an adult to learn another language than a kid. I was able to do just fine and have received a bachelor's degree and two masters degrees so far. I am also a Canadian PR. So, your son is going to do just fine. Just go to your local school when you get to Canada and follow what they ask you to do. Good luck.

[Suin]

thank you for all your replies. I appreciate your help a lot.

I just worried the way he will feel if he will get to a grade where all the kids are much younger than him. I just don't want him to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. but it looks like there's no option.

[Karlshammar]

Kids; they never understand what's best for them!

Since you are the parent and he is the child you'll have to make him, I guess. He won't like it, but kids never like to do anything except what they feel like at the moment.

When we grow up we see the wisdom and appreciate it...

thank you for your advice, rupeshhari. the main problem is that he is not interested in learning another language. we do have some English speaking channels at home country, mostly cartoons but he doesn't like them as he doesn't understand.

[links18]

Its much easier to learn a new language when you are young. Many young people become fluent in the new language within a year. Have him learn French while he is at it, it will only help in the future.

[Suin]

thank you for your reply, links18.
I wish him to work on his English first, as it will be extremely difficult for him to settle in a totally different country than his own. I hope French will come with his school.

[Karlshammar]

If you make him surround himself with English he will learn very quickly. Also mixing with English-speaking kids when he comes over here will make things go even more quickly.

This works just as well for adults, by the way.

[Alpha Romeo]

All children whose language at home is not English will be required to attend ELS.  It does not matter even your child is fluent or not fluent, they will attend ELS and your child will learn a lot from that program.  In this program your child progress will be assessed on a regular basis.  Believe me, children learn fast and adopt easier on their environment.  In few months not even a year, he will be an English speaking kid.  They will graduate from this program once the assessment result is that they are fluent in all speaking, writing, listening and reading. 

My advice to you is let him watch a educational show like discovery channel, national geographic and so on.  Read stories in english, start from a low level reading book and start talking english at home. 

[Suin]

thank you for your reply and advice, Alpha Romeo.
are ELS available in every public school or he will have to attend a private school?