(This article is a guest post by our friends at BiCortex Languages and BiCortex Translations.)
When children in expatriate families go abroad, they embark on an exciting linguistic journey. Many expat children immerse themselves in a foreign society, surrounded by unknown languages. This presents opportunities as well as challenges for their language development and emotional growth.
By being aware of these opportunities and challenges, parents can be proactive in helping their children reach their full potential:
Opportunities
- Total Immersion: Children of expatriates are exposed to the language regularly, which accelerates their language development.
- Cultural Insights: They have the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of a new culture, which will improve their language skills.
- Bilingualism: Many expat children learn to speak two or more languages, a valuable talent in today’s globalized environment.
Challenges
- Language Barrier: The language barrier is one of the most fundamental issues that international children encounter. They may struggle to communicate with their classmates and participate in regular activities.
- Cultural Adjustment: Along with the language barrier, cultural differences might be daunting. Navigating new habits, traditions, and social standards can be overwhelming for young minds.
- Academic Performance: If the language of instruction at their new school differs from what they are used to, expat children may struggle academically.
- Identity and Belonging: Expat children frequently struggle with issues of identity and belonging as they navigate two cultures. This can sometimes contribute to feelings of isolation.
Choosing the Right School for Your Children
Despite the large number of international residents in NYC, the amount of international schools is surprisingly low. This, however, isn’t without reason, as English serves as the primary language in the city.
Expat families here often don’t experience the severe language barriers faced by expats in other places in the world. Therefore, those expat children that do come to the city that are used to being educated in a more global environment (or in their mother tongue) would face increased challenges at a “regular” public school that follows the New York State curriculum, not only because of language issues but also because the subjects studied and teaching methods used are most likely not congruent with the school system left behind in their home countries.
However, even if language might not be a challenge because the family already speaks English, the need for cultural adaptation and perfected language skills remain crucial for children. One way that expat parents meet this need is by enrolling their children in an international school, where students are educated not only in a more global environment but also receive needed support to adapt and acclimate to their new host culture.
What is an International School?
International schools educate youngsters from all over the world. They are frequently established in cities to educate both expat children and local youngsters. Teachers in international schools will usually instruct students in a language that is not the official language of the country where the school is located. For example, an international school in Korea will most likely teach in English.
What Are the Benefits of an International School?
There are several benefits of choosing an international school for your child, including:
- Expat children settle more quickly in a familiar environment. Meeting children from the same country or attending an international school where they can speak their native language can help them feel at ease.
- Children who migrate from one international school to another can readily recognize the curriculum and catch up.
- International schools pay excellent wages to teachers with years of expertise. This can help children at overseas schools get a decent education.
- These schools typically provide extracurricular activities for their pupils after school.
What is The International Baccalaureate?
The curriculum is often the most important factor for parents, often resulting in them selecting an international school over a private school. The majority of New York City’s international schools teach the International Baccalaureate, which is taught all across the world, whereas private schools frequently offer an American curriculum (which is also popular around the world but not as widely used).
Consistency in their children’s education is vital for expat families who want to relocate to another city in the coming years, and the International Baccalaureate allows students to resume their studies exactly where they left off, regardless of location.
Additional Benefits to an International Baccalaureate Program
- The program’s emphasis on inquiry-based learning, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Its holistic approach to education, including personal development and community service.
- The focus on multilingualism, which aligns well with the multicultural environment of NYC.
- The international recognition of the IB diploma by universities globally.
- The program’s emphasis on global citizenship and diverse perspectives.
School Options for Expats in New York
There are many great options to choose from if you’re searching for an international or IB school in New York. Each school is unique, and some have less severe admissions requirements than others. Here are some of the top international schools in New York City:
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La Scuola d’Italia
La Scuola d’Italia New York is an independent Italian/English bilingual school (PreK-12) that combines the best aspects of the Italian and American educational systems. Its distinct culture originates from its bicultural identity and multicultural environment, where acceptance and variety, equity, and respect are the guiding ideals that form the bilingual school’s daily life.
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Avenues New York
Avenues is an innovative learning community with a mission to help students become “architects of lives that transcend the ordinary.” Their academic program is unsurpassed in rigor and depth, with possibilities for discovery and pursuit of passions facilitated by world-renowned faculty. Avenues is pioneering a new form of school – a world school – that goes above and beyond what is now required to produce future thought leaders and innovators.
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EF Academy New York
EF Academy New York has everything you’d expect from a world-class private day and boarding school, including modern facilities, skilled professors, and internationally recognized academic programs. However, what distinguishes EF Academy is its commitment to providing you with a superior education that will enable the next generation of global changemakers to succeed.
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French-American School of New York
French-American School of New York is a multilingual, international, co-educational day school that offers a global education to children from preschool (3 years old) to grade 12. The school offers two different programs: international track and French-American track.
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The International School of Brooklyn
The International School of Brooklyn is a PreK-3 through 8th grade establishment with small class sizes and a bilingual approach to learning. The school offers language immersion opportunities in either English, French or Spanish, along with the IB curriculum, and is very involved in the local international community.
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German International School New York
With an international viewpoint and German inspiration, GISNY encourages students to create, experiment, engage in dialogue, and exercise critical thought as they establish the foundation for a well-rounded education.
At German International School New York (GISNY), an independent multilingual college preparatory school serving grades Pre-K through 12, both foreign and native students receive excellent preparation for whatever the future may bring.
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United Nations International School (UNIS)
The UNIS has a unique collaboration with the United Nations and benefits from that connection in both curricular and extracurricular activities. With over 1,400 enrolled students from 97 different countries, this international school offers an experience sure to please parents searching for a more global feel.
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Dwight School
The Dwight School is a a private international school offering grades K through 12. With a history dating back to 1872, it has been a proud New York City staple for decades and is one of the pioneers in offering students the IB program.
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Leman Manhattan Preparatory School
Leman Manhattan Preparatory School serves children from very early childhood (12 months!) to 12th grade. It offers a co-ed boarding program along with the IB curriculum and focuses on producing global citizens who are well-rounded, independent, and critical thinkers.
Additional Support for Expat Families
If you are looking for some additional support in language and/or culture, there are companies who specialize in providing experienced and qualified language teachers for children (and for their families) who are still struggling.
For example, language learning company BiCortex Languages has a vast roster of teachers able to teach over 49 different languages to adults and children worldwide.
Additionally, BiCortex is able to offer resources and guidance for expat families who are currently navigating the complexities of international education to make the transition smoother. (For BiCortex Languages, many of their teachers – and HQ staff – are themselves expats, so the support and advice available to families reaches beyond the classroom.)
Conclusion
Every educational option has benefits and drawbacks that change depending on where you live. To ensure that your child gets the best education possible, experts recommend that you investigate individual schools in your destination city well in advance of your move to allow time to make a wise and informed decision.
If you want to boost your child’s language and cultural skills and see to it that your child’s experience living as an expat serves as a solid foundation for future success, exploring New York City’s international school options are a great place to start. Additionally, working with companies like BiCortex Languages can further strengthen the experience because they come alongside the entire family to offer additional support in your transition.
This educational foundation and support system will not only foster academic excellence but also lead to greater cultural adaptation, which will give them the opportunity to grow inside and outside the classroom.