Can you help?

I have a friend who is moving next month to Penang island in Malaysia. She is moving with her two children aged 8 & 2. She has had a great opportunity there and in a year or two aim to return back to England.

She is looking to educate her children while in Malaysia. The options she is looking for them are home school with a few tutors or join a home school organisation.

Can you help in anyway?

Do you know any English expat forums, Facebook groups or websites in Malaysia?
Do you know any English schools?
Do you know any organisations or companies that offer good English tutors?
Do you know about where to go to hire good tutors?
Do you know any good home schooling networks?

All information & weblinks are very much welcome.

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REad, Read and read some more. Learning is nothing but fun

Why look for English schools and tutors? At those ages both would become easily bilingual and the experience of being educated locally would bring massive and lasting personal and cultural benefits which would help to shape their lives long after they return to England.

A quick internet search on 'british community penang' turned up several sites, including a Facebook group.

There seem to be several English medium international schools (which may or may not be very convenient for where your friend will be living) - not necessarily a huge amount of mixing with the locals, but better than home ed for general socialisation? Has your friend investigated as to whether home education is actually an option under the Malaysian system?

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

Usually if re locating for work the employer would help with contacts?

My impression from Malaysian students who have come to study in the UK is that many in that sphere have more of an 'international' than a 'local' education themselves.

I would definitely verge towards looking at 'education' in the broadest sense and making the most of the opportunity of experiencing life in another culture.

If you would rather educate at home but want a school set up then try Interhigh. Very popular for ex pats.

Thanks KB & Yamin151.

I’ve heard of http://Www.interhigh.co.uk/ so I will recomment them to her.

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REad, Read and read some more. Learning is nothing but fun

What a wonderful opportunity.My family have lovely memories of Penang and our trips to visit my friends and in terms of sites of in particular Batu Ferringhi beach and the spectacular views from the top of the Island.The island has a large Chinese influence compared to the rest of the country.

My younger cousins family with her husband and young children were out in Singapore for several years and came back to the UK speaking fluent Mandarin and understanding many words from other languages in the area.Their maid played a part in their learning some language skills.The children were educated in a International school while there.Apart from the cultural benefits they gained,It has set them up with some unique skills in a world set to be increasingly influenced by China.I couldn't more agree with Amber.

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In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Abraham Lincoln

I have to agree with Amber and quasi....as someone who was educated in another country up to the age of 8, it is an amazing way of learning a language and really knowing about another culture - it seems a real shame to not take advantage of fully assimilating that opportunity by going down the home education route. We had lots of Malaysian and Singapore educated children at my boarding school - both nationals of the countries and ex pats returning to the UK. I can confidently say that they were well educated - the standard in international schools there in particular is very high.

+ 1

I have friends who have just come back from two years abroad. Their children went to the local Primary which taught in Spanish - they are now both bilingual.

Thank you everyone for your posts. My friend is very busy packing and planning for her new position and sorting out the kids.

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REad, Read and read some more. Learning is nothing but fun