Non speaking english daughter

rc_pt
Member

Posts: 12

Non speaking english daughter May 27, 2014 14:27:39 GMT

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Post by rc_pt on May 27, 2014 14:27:39 GMT

Hi

I'm currently applying to Saudi Aramco (already attended the interview) and I'm of course with hopes to get an offer. If an offer comes in, I'm willing to take my family.

I'm originally from a non-speaking English country in west Europe and my daughter (who will turn 6 next November) doesn't speak English yet. She is having some English classes (1 hour per week at the school she currently attends to) about a year ago, but I believe she only knows very simple words, since she doesn't practice anywhere else.

If I do get an offer, I guessing I will only be able to join ARAMCO after the summer (at best), but I'm concerned about my daughter admission process in a Saudi Aramco school, so here are my questions:

* Is it necessary for a 5 years child to speak English to get accepted in the ARAMCO? Or is it only necessary to be fluent in English when she's old enough to enter on grade 1 (at the age of 6)?

* If we arrive after school was started, will she be home since she is only 5 years old?

* Is it required for a kid to take an English test at time of arrival? Or the test only takes place in the beginning of the school year?

* I'm sure she will learn the language quickly and that she will be totally ready to enter into grade 1 without any problem.

If someone has a similar experience coming from a non-speaking English country with small kinds, please let me know your experience. Your help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

vpainter ExPats Administrators Moderator Posts: 3,701 Job Status: None of the Above	Non speaking english daughter May 27, 2014 21:37:15 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by vpainter on May 27, 2014 21:37:15 GMT Others will better answer most of your questions. Please read in the First Discussion Group on the Index page: Frequently Asked Questions. It has posts there explaining the school system and age requirements.

rc_pt Member Posts: 12	Non speaking english daughter May 28, 2014 9:29:02 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by rc_pt on May 28, 2014 9:29:02 GMT Thank you vpainter. I already checked the FAQ section that certainly contains very helpful information, but I would be much appreciated if other members can share their point of view on this. Thanks

infquery Member Posts: 46	Non speaking english daughter May 28, 2014 13:55:07 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by infquery on May 28, 2014 13:55:07 GMT Hi, according to the school age table your girl will be in kindergarten so they might accept her. Little kids catch the language fast. They test english proefficiency for upper grades.

llfarms Advanced Member Posts: 50	Non speaking english daughter Jun 3, 2014 4:39:34 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by llfarms on Jun 3, 2014 4:39:34 GMT Kindergarden might accept her, but I know of a few families that could not get their kids in the the expat school because of the inability to speak english. You might want to up the tutoring if you decide to come over.

rc_pt
Member

Posts: 12

Non speaking english daughter Jun 3, 2014 17:25:21 GMT

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Post by rc_pt on Jun 3, 2014 17:25:21 GMT

llfarms,

Thanks for your response. My daughter is already having 2 hours per week of English lessons, but I'll try to increase the duration and intensity.

Are the rejected cases you know from kinds in kindergarten age (5 yrs old)? Or that only happened for older kids?

Thank you very much for your input.

infquery
Member

Posts: 46

Non speaking english daughter Jun 3, 2014 18:37:45 GMT

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Post by infquery on Jun 3, 2014 18:37:45 GMT

Hi rc_pt

A friend joined aramco last year. His daughter didn't speak english at all and she was accepted in Aramco school in Abqaiq, she was 4, prek. He told me someone he knows who have two kids, by the time he was hired one was 5 the other was 8, the 5 years old was accepted in Aramco kindergarten, his 8 years old was tested upon arrival and because he was not proefficient in english was not accepted. He sent him to international school in Dhahran for a year and after was able to joined Aramco school. He lives in main camp, so it was possible for him to send his child to international school, which is paid by aramco (children in different camps might not take this chance because of the distance to the school)

Here in the forum someone recently posted a case (you can search for it) where his younger children were accepted but his oldest (seven I think I read) was required to be tested upon arrival. I imagined if he doesn't prove to be proefficient in english he might end up sending him to the international school.

I'm 99.9% sure your little girl is going to be accepted to attend kindergarten. And she is going to catch the language so fast she might be correcting your grammars soon

rc_pt
Member

Posts: 12

Non speaking english daughter Jun 4, 2014 9:15:33 GMT

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Post by rc_pt on Jun 4, 2014 9:15:33 GMT

infquery,

Thank you very much for your input. It's really important to know the experience of expats in similar conditions. It’s good to know that my daughter is in a good age for the move. The kids’ education is without any question one of the most important aspects we must consider if an offer comes in. At this stage and since I already attended the interview, I'm only anxious to know if an offer will come in or not.

Regards

Non speaking english daughter

Post by rc_pt on May 27, 2014 14:27:39 GMT

Post by vpainter on May 27, 2014 21:37:15 GMT

Post by rc_pt on May 28, 2014 9:29:02 GMT

Post by infquery on May 28, 2014 13:55:07 GMT

Post by llfarms on Jun 3, 2014 4:39:34 GMT

Post by rc_pt on Jun 3, 2014 17:25:21 GMT

Post by infquery on Jun 3, 2014 18:37:45 GMT

Post by rc_pt on Jun 4, 2014 9:15:33 GMT