Moving to China is undoubtedly an adventure for the whole family. If you’re doing it with kids of school age, figuring out how to ensure that your children get a high level of education is probably your first priority. Here, I take you through four ways to educate an expat child in China, complete with their pros and cons.

International schools

Whether or not this will be an option for your family will depend firstly on your budget and, secondly, on where in China you live. Most larger Chinese cities now have a handful of international schools to choose from, be they American, British, Japanese…

These schools usually boast foreign teachers with strong credentials and run their curriculums under International Baccalaureate (IB), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), or another international educational program that sets students up for attending universities abroad.

A focus on a well-rounded education, including humanities and the arts, and a promise of interaction with children and teachers from around the world are points solidly in favor of international schools in China. Kids with an athletic bent can also enjoy an established network of sports competitions between international schools all across Asia.

But, they do not come cheap. Tuition fees in smaller cities may be a bit lower, but for international schools in Guangzhou, for example, you can expect to pay around 300,000 RMB (43,000 USD) per year. If you’re lucky enough to be on the holy grail of expat packages with an employer that's paying for your kids’ tuition, however, an international school is arguably the best option.

Local schools

This option is often considered by expat families when their children are younger and will therefore benefit more from learning Chinese in an immersive environment. Depending on where exactly you live, you may find your child is the only foreign kid in their school, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Many young expat children thrive in the highly structured environment of Chinese schools and enjoy feeling like the “special” one.

For many expat families, however, local schooling is not a long-term solution. During the middle school and high school years, Chinese students are put on a notoriously stringent and high pressure track of hardcore academics to prepare for the infamous gaokao test that will ultimately determine their future. This isn't a track that is particularly suitable for expats who want their children to enjoy relatively stress-free schooling.

The local school schedule may have your child lumbered with hours of homework every night as well as extra school on weekends to make up for any public holidays during the week. Chinese local schools are also known to fall short when it comes to teaching critical thinking skills, which can be very important for students who want to attend Western universities.

That said, although there will be some minimal costs for teaching materials, uniforms, school trips and the like, local schools in China are practically free. If money is a factor in your decision, your child is academically gifted and thrives in a highly structured environment, this could be a viable option for your family.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling offers a lower-cost way to ensure a solid education for the children of expats in China. For those parents who have the time and discipline to put into it, teaching your own kids offers unique rewards and challenges.

Parents can capitalise on their surroundings when teaching their children history and Mandarin, and schedule flexibility makes travelling and holidays much cheaper and more pleasant. There are also hundreds of online resources and even physical support groups to help homeschooling parents and children. And the best bit? It’s basically free (as long as you don’t put a price on the teaching parent’s time and sanity).

Homeschooling can be hard on both the parents and the children, however. As well as the obvious issue of the child’s socialisation, the responsibility of teaching your own child can bring great pressures and put a strain on the family dynamic. Only those who feel truly confident and inspired by the prospect of educating their own children should consider it.

Private/online tutors

Some families, especially those with two working parents, may prefer to hire private or online teachers for their homeschooled children. This is less common but is a great option for parents who don’t feel confident teaching all subjects themselves. One or more private teachers could come to your house to teach your child in person, or your kids could take online classes and even join virtual classrooms full of other remote students.

This option is more affordable than international school and it gives parents the chance to outsource as much or as little of their child’s classes as they wish. They can even design the curriculum to ensure their child gets a strong education without actually having to do the educating themselves.

There are some important considerations, however. If you’re hiring a foreigner full time there may be visa issues. You’ll also have to consider tax, insurance and social security to legally employ a local. What’s more, China has been cracking down on online tutoring in recent years in a bid to regulate the industry and ease the pressure on school children. Make sure you know where you stand legally with whichever option you choose.

As you can see, there are several ways to ensure your expat child gets an excellent education in China. Rest assured that whichever route you choose, there will likely be plenty of expat families doing the same thing in your city. So make the most of your network and ask others what they do and why. Your best resource is always those who have come before you.

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