School recommendation for English speaking teen?

[Victor David]

My grandson (15 years old) may be coming to live with me in Guanajuato. As a grandfather type here in Mexico, I know very little about what school choices there may be for him. He doesn’t speak Spanish. Although I’m sure he’ll learn the language quickly, he wouldn’t be ready to enter into a regular school right away. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thank you.

Victor David

[mr bill]

I think not too much choice other than a private school and none that I know of have an "International Program" based on English language. Although some claim to be bi-lingual that amounts to English classes not curriculum in English. Local/public schools will require the student to have a CURP [Clave Única de Registro de Población]

For private schools the top 3 are Colegio Valenciana [social contacts], LaSalle [same with a religious twist] and Instituto Guanajuato [ Pierre Faure method sorry ugly website link but best I could find as I write] where my twins are.

Learning the language at 15: Kids do better at it and learn faster than adults for sure. Member DML may add some comments as I think she had a teenager in school here.

[DML]

Victor, if your grandson knows NO Spanish, he is going to have a hard time here, at any school. None of the schools in GTO are bi-lingual they are all in Spanish with classes in English, nothing like what your 15 year old will need (think about Spanish class in the US) in regards to English class. My daughter just did the equivalent of 8th and 9th grade at Instituto GTO but we had previously lived here when she was in 5th grade and she has studied Spanish throughout elementary school in the US and has done many many weeks of private lessons in Mexico to help get her ready for school in the past. As far as her English class was concerned she took English online.

He will learn the language but it will not be as quick as you think it will be. Yes, it is easier for a younger person to learn another language than an adult, but it will take him about 3-6 months to gain some kind of fluency and even more if he knows no Spanish. Additionally, being conversationally capable and/or fluent is highly different than taking history, mathematics, science, civics, etc. in another language.

Depending on his knowledge of Spanish upon coming to live with you he may need to take SPanish lessons for a while and do a semester of classes from the US online. It is one thing when your kid is learning the language and attending school when they are in elementary/primaria. Lots of time to play catch up. At age 15 and of high school age, it is very important for your grandson to stay on level with his high school peers back home.

Feel free to send me an email if you have more questions. dmleffel@yahoo.com

[Victor David]

Thank you Mr. Bill and DML for the info. I will do some more investigation, you've given me some ideas on how to approach this. Because of the school year, I think we're going to do this starting next semester, so that gives me some time to get it all figured out. Thanks again!

Victor David

[jesm]

I have no info to share on your schooling quandry, but giving a 15 year old the opportunity to live, experience and learn in a foreign country and different culture is a high quality education by my definition. If it takes an extra on-line semester or so, he will be a much broader and educated individual for the time he spends here. Best of luck to you both.

[Lisa Andrews]

My first student exchange was to Argentina when I was 15 and I loved it, there were plenty of exchange students that took a whole year off to study in a different country as young as 15 especially from the European countries, I was the youngest Australian but only did 2 months and not a year like most. It might also be useful on getting information about culture shock and how to deal with it, even though he will be living with you if you know the signs and about it before it can make the transition easier.
Definitely would start him on duolingo (free website/app) and even spanish classes if he isn't already, the more you know the easier it will be. I knew some spanish before I left but was surprised at how little I knew and it was really hard not being able to interact well especially at that age, but I think he will learn more about culture and life that even he he gets a bit behind in school it will be worth it!!

[colleen]

I called a friend who works at U of Gto and has young children. He recommended investigating Colegio Valenciana. I remember being out there once and it was very nice. But the one in Valenciana is only elementary school. I didn't know that Col. Val. had a middle school but he says it is near Corazon Parlante. Several years ago a Rotary Club exchange student was at LaSalle and doing well. Don't know how much Espanol he had when he came down. Anyway, worth taking a look. Lucky kid to have the chance to come down and have this experience. Victor, you have done so well with your Spanish that I would think he would be lucky to have your help. I hope it works out for both of you.

[Victor David]

Thanks everybody. I didn't realize that you could take high-school classes online. I thought that was only at the university level. So, that was a great suggestion. I've talked about that with my grandson and we may go that route, although I'm going to investigate the other places that you mentioned too. Thanks again for all the great ideas, I'm looking forward to having him here!

Victor David

[Kay Curtis]

You didn't specify how long he would be with you -- a few weeks? months? a full school year. That makes a BIG difference in what choices you have and how you make them. Are you looking for him to just learn some Spanish for a few weeks? or for a full academic year?

[Victor David]

Well, he's going to be here for as long as he wants. That's our arrangement. He might get homesick after a while, but I'm hoping he'll be here for at least a year.