A country
Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. Canada occupies 1/12 of the land of the globe, stretching from east to west for 5.5 thousand km, and from north to south for 4.6 thousand km, while the population is only about 32 million people.
The density of people is quite low. After two weeks of living in Canada, gathering more than 5-6 people in one place already seems to us something unusual.
Canada has two official languages - English and French.
According to the UN. Canada recognized the best country in the world for living according to a combination of the most important criteria (general standard of living, ecology, education, etc.).
Society
Canada is very developed social services, they have developed assistance programs for all occasions.
There is no “assignment” of a particular house to a particular medical institution, so everyone is free to choose their own family doctor
In Canada, you can lose something, then return - and find your thing safe and sound. someone else's own accepted respect.
People
Personal space human accepted respect. Climbing up to a stranger - getting too close, pestering, showing aggression or crying into a vest is not accepted. Accepted courteous attitude(Some of our expats say they have a sense of security in Canada).
The people here are friendly, but they don’t insist on communication: if you want to find a company, please, if you don’t want to, live on your own, since the large distances between houses allow you not to annoy each other’s eyes.
Canadians are known for their tolerance and calmness.
Canadians know how to relax with pleasure, they value their free time and spend it relaxing.
In Canada, it is being laid since kindergarten, they are taught to report about suspicious types and incidents on the street.
All each other called by name, regardless of the difference in age, official position, and generally very friendly to each other.
Family
Canada is very feminism is strong. Canadian experts cite the desire for independence among women as one of the main reasons for the breakup of many families. It is significant that in 20% of Canadian families children grow up with one of the parents.
The birth rate in Canada remains one of the lowest among developed industrial countries.
Traditionally, abortion has not been much encouraged. In general, in Canada, you may encounter some difficulties if you need to terminate a pregnancy.
The average age of women entering into marriage is 26 years.
Men, as a rule, help in the upbringing of children and housekeeping, the main burden still falls on women.
preschool education
Corporal punishment is prohibited. By carrying out corporal punishment in public, you are at great risk, because. you can be complained about, and then the police will intervene.
Even if the neighbors do not see corporal punishment, there is a risk that their own child will complain about the parent. It happens that teenagers pawn their parents or blackmail them with pawns.
In Canada prohibited leave children unattended up to 12 years.
The attitude towards the child in Canada is such that many parents really do not cope with the upbringing of children. They get out of the situation in different ways. For example, there is a practice of hiring nannies (including those from other countries) for permanent work - with living in a Canadian family.
Something like Canada's premier parenting guide for non-violent parenting is the book: “1-2-3 Magic. Effective Discipline for children 2-12”, Thomas W.Phelan, Ph.D. In short, the essence is as follows. The behavior of the child is divided into negative("stop") and positive("start"). The 1-2-3 method is used to prevent negative behavior. To encourage positive behavior is used: praise; simple requests-demands; kitchen timer; promotion/reduction; drawing up tables, diagrams, graphics; natural consequences and variations 1-2-3
Method 1-2-3: the essence is that when the parent loses control of the situation and is overwhelmed with emotions, instead of punishing the child or yelling at him, etc. (which is considered unacceptable) he starts counting out loud (in an icy voice). "One" (long pause). The child continues to misbehave. "Two" The child continues to misbehave. "Three" The countdown can be up to 3 or 5. If the child still does not obey, then the parent applies punishment. The essence of punishment – deprivation of attention on the part of an adult + loneliness - deprivation of the opportunity to communicate with friends. Variations can be different, it all depends on the situation.
Features of the education system
Education system
School education is free for Canadian citizens. Foreigners have to pay for their child's education in a Canadian school.
Under the Canadian constitution, education is the responsibility of local authorities. Those. The system may vary from county to county.
Among Canadian educational institutions there are both state, and private. The quality of education they provide is about the same, but learning programs may differ.
The strength of the country's schools is the high availability of computers (the best indicator in the world). Also, Canadian schools are ahead of all others in the number of machines connected to the Internet.
Private schools
The choice of private schools is very large - with separate or joint education for boys and girls, with full board or only daytime education etc. But
There are relatively few private schools in Canada and they have quite high competition There are schools where children are enrolled before they are born.
The main attraction of private education: a small number of students in the class and individual approach to the students.
Features of study
Children go to first grade at the age of 6. Education in primary (1-6 grades, 6-12 years old) and secondary school (7-12 grades, 13-18 years old)
The academic year in Canada starts in the first week of September and ends in the last week of June.
Parents in Canada can for their children choose a training program of their choice, they can generally invite teachers home, they can educate them as they see fit.
universities
Canada has the highest level of post-secondary education and is the second country in terms of university education.
Canada is famous not only for academic programs, but for optimal combination of study and practice. In this country, the so-called cooperative programs (co-op) are very developed, meaning that students, without stopping their studies, train in Canadian companies, gain the necessary practical experience and earn money. As a result, university graduates receive not only a good education, which is highly rated in the world, but also a very useful entry in the resume. Practice is possible not only during studies at the university, but also as part of certification and diploma programs.
Canadian curricula are flexible. A student can choose a basic course in any subject. If he makes great progress in any one discipline, he can take an advanced course and get a higher degree.
School principles
Educational process
The academic year is divided into two semesters.
Subjects are studied in blocks: the first semester - the first four subjects, the second - the remaining ones. That is every day the same four lessons By 75 minutes every.
The list of items varies depending on the class. Available obligatory subjects (mathematics, language) and many subjects optionally.
Ratings are given as a percentage. For example, 50-60% is roughly equivalent to a "three", 65-75% is a "four", 80-90% is close to "excellent".
Based on the marks obtained in all subjects, the GPA(percent). To transfer to the next year, you need to collect more than 50%. If the average score is more than 80%, then you can get an exemption from the exam and a diploma (Honorable Roll).
During the semester, control is carried out by writing written assignments. In some subjects (mathematics, English) exams are held in the middle of the semester, in others - only at the end of the year.
As a rule, examinations are held in writing. This is either a test with questions on the material covered, or writing an essay.
Each exam is given 1.5-2 hours. The wording of the topics can be communicated in advance so that students can prepare. However, you are not allowed to bring anything to the exam itself. Cheating is severely punished.
The final grade consists of several - for written work submitted during the semester; for a personal project; for the exam. If the subject is successfully studied, one or two credit units (credit) are awarded for it.
To get a diploma, you need to score a certain number of such units. A prerequisite is also voluntary work as a volunteer in the interests of the community (in the library, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.).
Final exams are taken in the final twelfth grade. Based on their results, a certificate of the corresponding province is issued.
Other
Considerable attention is paid independent work. Each student prepares a personal task (Independent Study Project, ISP), in which he must collect information on a given topic and write an essay. The results of this work he draws up in the form of an oral presentation in front of the class.
The school focuses not on the best, but on average, and even weak- so as not to offend anyone, and this is just back side such education, although there are schools for gifted children, where education is delivered differently.
The school has special consultant with whom any student can discuss their plans and next steps. They hold presentations on when and what to do, distribute booklets with university requirements.
Many graduates demonstrated a very weak level of preparation, especially in mathematics and natural sciences.
According to official statistics, about a third of high school students leave school before completing the mandatory period of study. At the same time, a well-developed system of state courses for general and vocational education allows everyone to fill in the gaps.
Principles of education at school
Principles. Each school has its own code of conduct more or less strict. Usually it is strictly forbidden to break the daily routine, smoke, drink alcohol or drugs, show aggression towards other students, cheat on exams. Violation of these requirements is followed first by a warning, then by expulsion.
As a rule, studying at a boarding school involves wearing a school uniform, which is purchased at a special store.
Absences from school grounds are strictly regulated. In order for the child to be released for the weekend, a written application from the parents or guardian is required.
Communication between parents and teachers children wear to school every day special folders. Various notes, brochures and made by children are included there. school assignments. If necessary, the parent can put his note. The folders are checked by the teacher every day. And on Fridays, she sends home a special “news” folder for the weekend.
Here there are no parent meetings at the school - but they are held interviews (interviews) 4 times a year - the teacher meets with the parents, it is possible in the presence of the student himself - and they have a friendly conversation, and the shortcomings are spoken of rather mildly, but if the parent himself wants to deepen the conversation and focus on some problems - then the teacher can this keep the conversation going in the same direction.
Practice of the annual shuffling. Teachers change every year (although elementary school students still have one teacher who teaches most of the lessons), and the composition of the classes also changes. Yes, and within the class, the guys are periodically transplanted to different tables.
Discipline
In general, despite the external severity, discipline in Canadian schools is very lame. Teachers have no right not only to yell at children or educate them in front of the whole class, but even somehow infringe on their rights.
If disobedience begins, the child is put on a chair, which is either in the locker room or in the "dressing room". If this does not help, then he is taken to the director of the school, and he sits in his office until his mother comes.
Culture, holidays and ceremonies
Holidays are the same as in America + a few unique ones.
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day - St. Patrick's Day. This holiday is dedicated to travelers, travelers and wanderers. Special songs are sung and Irish dances are danced - for example, an Irish jig to the sounds of a village violin or bagpipes. They dress in all green.
September - Labor Day - Labor Day. Actually, it's a rest day. This is a holiday in honor of all workers who have earned the right to rest - it happens on the 1st Monday of September,
November 11 - Remembrance Day - Remembrance Day. At 11:00 11.11, a Minute of Silence is held across Canada - this is a time to remember all the people who died during the wars.
Other
Most teenagers start having sex early enough.
There are quite a lot of very fat people in Canada, mostly women.
The Canadian education system is similar to the American one.
According to some reports, the pedagogy of Canada (as well as America) is mainly concerned with the education of representatives different nationalities in one territory.
Links
School education in Canada is built on the American model, famous for its progressive approach to the educational process and its focus on the formation of an enterprising, responsible and comprehensively developed personality.
The school system in Canada
Education in a Canadian school begins with a preparatory class called kindergarten (at 5 years old), or 1st grade (at 6 years old). The duration of the school course is 12 years in all provinces except Quebec, where children finish school a year earlier - at 16 years old. The academic year consists of two semesters and lasts about 180 - 190 academic days.
As in other English-speaking countries, school program is particularly flexible: students high school and high school students independently choose which disciplines, except for the main ones, they will study. The learning process involves a large amount of independent work. In addition, children are required to go in for sports and participate in all kinds of extracurricular activities.
The level of school education in Canada is extremely high. State educational institutions they regularly receive financial support from the government of the country, which allows them to create comfortable conditions for learning and maintain a high academic level in each educational institution. At the same time, education in public schools for citizens of Canada is free. For these reasons, most of the local population (about 95%) study in municipal schools.
Foreigners for a relatively small fee - about 12,000 Canadian dollars a year - also have the right to study at public educational institutions. However, for the most part, students from abroad choose Canadian private schools. Despite the generally high level of school education in Canada, private schools are usually more comfortable than public schools and provide more opportunities for the development of the child.
Features of studying in a private school in Canada
The educational process in a Canadian private school is not at all like studying at home for a Russian student.
In-depth study of subjects
The curriculum of private schools in Canada can differ significantly from what is offered to students in public educational institutions.
Choice of accessories included syllabus, wider, the level of training is higher. Many boarding schools offer high school students the international program International Baccalaureate (IB), which facilitates admission to universities not only in Canada, but also in the USA and Europe.
By the way, since Canada is a bilingual country, you can study here in English, French or two languages at once.
Diverse development of students
Private school students in Canada are constantly involved in active creative work. Among the many clubs of interest that work on the basis of educational institutions, each student will find something to their liking. Theatrical skills, robotics, oratory - the topics of such sections can be very diverse. In addition, private schools often organize excursions and other educational activities for their students to get to know the history and culture of the maple leaf country better.
Do not forget in boarding schools and about sports. The technical equipment of private educational institutions is usually better than public ones, so children are practically unlimited in choosing the type of physical activity: the guys play American and European football, tennis, golf, go in for swimming and gymnastics. Traditional winter sports such as hockey and skiing are very popular in Canada.
Full immersion in the educational process
Under Canadian law, non-citizens under the age of 18 are required to have a local guardian. Since public schools do not provide housing for their students, they cannot act as guardians. If the child enters a private boarding school, the issue of guardianship is removed.
Private school students in Canada live either in on-campus residence or with a host family. Both forms of residence are absolutely safe: on campus, children are under the supervision of the staff of the educational institution around the clock, in the family, the children are looked after by their "foster" parents. The families with which the schools work usually have extensive experience in dealing with foreign students and cope with their duties no worse than professional educators.
Opportunity to enter best universities peace
In terms of prestige, private schools in Canada are not inferior to world-famous American or English boarding schools. A private school certificate in Canada is a great recommendation for admission committee any university in any country in the world. At the same time, the cost of studying in the country of the maple leaf is about 20% lower than in the US or Europe.
"Letidor" occasionally publishes interesting articles (for example, my). I came across an interesting story about a Canadian school. If I were there, I would write the same. At the end, I wrote what can be applied with us. Read especially the end - everything is laid out on the shelves, as I did in the old days.Canadian school education is ranked 6th in the world.
The education system in Canada is heterogeneous, and it also varies from province to province. At the provincial level, many laws are passed on the functioning and financing of schools, on their responsibilities and rights, and so on. But in the very general view the school world looks like this:
- Comprehensive schools(the same free general education which we are well aware of)
- Catholic schools. The most widespread religion in Canada. Several centuries ago, the system of Catholic education that still exists in Canada was created. In such schools, children are taught both ordinary subjects and religion.
- Private schools. By paying for education in private schools, in return, parents get the opportunity to choose both a “bias” (Montessori, sports) and a “chosen society” for their children - only children from families with above-average incomes, well, and a number of others, certainly get here "bonuses" like wearing a school uniform, canteen at school, etc.
- Home schooling also possible, but not very common. Add to this the fact that Canada is a bilingual country; each of these types of schools is possible in the variant when the main education is conducted in English, and French is studied as a second language, and vice versa.
How is the training organized?
In a Canadian school, several steps are common, along which students move:
- "Preschool" called Kindergarden. Children are admitted here at less than five years of age, and are taught for two years, after which they go to the first grade. Studying at this time is 100 percent "play learning".
- Primary school, grades one through six.
- Secondary school, grades 7-8.
- High school, grades 9-12.
As a rule, during his studies, a Canadian student changes three buildings: in the first he studies from classes in Kindergarden and up to the 6th grade, in the second they gather students in grades 7-8, well, and in the third the most difficult part of the training takes place in a Canadian school until graduation. But the student changes classes, teachers and classmates every year. In a Canadian school, classes are re-formed every year, so during their studies, the student manages to get to know literally everyone.
There is no propiska system in Canada, but it is determined by the place of residence in which go to school your child. Each school has its own place in the provincial ranking (depending on how well the students wrote tests in the main subjects this year). Higher rating - more expensive than a house in the area, which is "assigned" to this school.
The photo shows a typical Canadian elementary school building. Two (sometimes one) floor, Canadian flag at the entrance. The area around (the borders are marked) is school property. In Canada, these are not empty words: just as the owner is obliged to look after his "land", so the "alien" is obliged to follow the rules. For example, you can't go in and play on the school playground, or take a shortcut through the school field, or ride a bike - for more safety, you will need to walk, cycling alongside.
A typical phenomenon for the Canadian school, unfortunately - "trailers". When classes cease to accommodate students, part of the classes are held in such wagons. Well-maintained, of course, with sewerage and heating. Parents are still not too happy, but the children are okay, for them it's like an adventure.
Another quintessentially Canadian way to optimize student placement is with "twin" classes: for example, class 1/2 or 3/4. In such groups, children from two classes study at the same time - from the older one all in a row, from the younger - those who can "pull" more independent learning. At the same time, the teacher gives part of the time the same material, part of the time - two different programs, but the main difference is in the work that the children do; less requirements for younger ones.
Primary school starts at 9:10 am and ends at 3:30 am. Every morning, a long chain of backpacks line up near the entrances to the school: students are allowed into the school only on a call. Considering that there are usually 5-6 inputs, there is no particular fuss.
Where crowdedness and noise is in the corridors of the school: there are hangers for clothes and backpacks, boxes for change of shoes. An elementary school student takes only a diary with him to class (and sometimes a favorite toy, junior students are allowed).
In the classroom, wherever you look - posters, drawings, visual aids. The walls are 100% used.
The floor is a space for playing, building complex structures (often the whole class is building either a super-city or a miracle monster). There are no desks at all in the classrooms for "preschoolers" - several tables with chairs, and many "stations" for playing - there is a computer with game programs, and a corner of "nature" - they grow plants, watch ants or snails, and a large container with sand where you can pour water and mess around, developing fine motor skills.
In older classes, desks appear, but the student sits at it only when it is necessary to write. For discussion, the teacher most often gathers the children in a circle - they sit on the floor with their legs crossed, he is in a comfortable rocking chair nearby.
What and how is taught in a Canadian school?
Every morning starts with the Canadian anthem (everyone is standing, but you can sing along) and the school radio show. Then study begins. Subjects are usually combined into clusters: for example, in the lessons of "science" they study physics, chemistry, biology, the word "art" hides classes in drawing, modeling and computer graphics. From the first grade, students learn Social sciencies- and if social studies and history start closer to the middle classes, then already a first grader in Canada knows how important it is to wait in line, share with friends, and properly sort garbage for reuse.
A very large part of the educational process is devoted to the art of presentation. The quality of the project and the ability to talk about it in front of the class are evaluated. In this case, you can use any expressive means.
Canadian version of "what girls are made of..and boys" presentations in French about who likes what.
And there are a lot of sports in Canadian schools. Sports activities - three to four days a week. This is both traditional physical education (in non-cold weather - on the street), and a variety of sports games: in just one year, a student can try himself, for example, in badmindton, football, baseball, tennis and dancing.
What can definitely be envied is the equipment of local schools. As an example - in the photo - the music room of a completely ordinary Canadian high school in a small town.
Canadian school is fun. Rarely does a week go by without some special event. Either a public holiday, or a large-scale school holiday (for example, a school anniversary or a performance / concert that the whole school staged), or simply Pajama Day. On this day, everyone, both students and teachers, come to school in pajamas, favorite slippers and hugging pillows, blankets, toys. There is Hat Day, and Favorite Book Character Day.
But the beginning of the school year, by the way, does not apply to holidays. School in Canada begins on the first Monday in September, after Labor Day, and there are no special outfits or bouquets for teachers in sight. They finish their studies, by the way, here much later - usually in the last week of June.
Before the start of classes on the first day of school
Socialization, involvement in communication and teaching the rules of conflict-free cooperation generally mean at least as much in local schools as academic grades themselves. How well or poorly a child learns is rather the concern of him and his parents. The concept is this: the teacher gives knowledge, and how much the child "took" depends on his/her desire and capabilities. In Canada it is generally not customary to criticize, and schools are no exception; a report card with teacher grades at the end of the quarter and year in an envelope - thus, only the student and his parents can view it, and the children themselves absolutely do not focus on how well or poorly their classmates study.
Canada is a country of immigrants, and therefore the appearance at school - including in the middle of the school year - of a child who does not speak a word of English is a completely common phenomenon. The mechanism has been worked out to automatism: a portion of questionnaires for parents to fill out, a “friend” for a new student or student (usually selected from schoolchildren who speak the same language as the newcomer). At first, the main occupation of a "student" (that's how students are called schoolchildren in Canada) is language acquisition; therefore, he spends about half of his entire study time not in regular classes, but in ESL - English as a Second Language classes. As a result, even children who start learning a language from scratch begin to communicate more or less fluently after a few months.
Is there free education?
Let's count. At the beginning of the school year, parents of primary school students are given a list with the wishes of what they need for their studies. Usually this is an office - you can keep within $ 20. You need to partially compensate for the cost of excursions, this is from 5 to 15 dollars for each. $ 10 is a beautiful color diary called a planner - he plays the role of a diary here.
Everything else is on a truly voluntary basis. There is no form. You can buy a T-shirt with the school logo, but it is not required. It's also optional to buy school lunches, but almost all parents pay to have their child get their pizza and milk on the weekly "pizza day". Photo days are regularly held at school, but again, it’s up to you to buy out photos (and at the end of the year - a yearbook, that is, an album for memory, or skip it.
In Canadian public schools, children bring their own food. Special lunch boxes come in a thousand and one variations: for example, this one from the photo is “environmentally friendly”: all food can be put into compartments without using packaging.
For supporters of the fact that the child should eat hot - thermos: there is enough heat until the moment when the student sits down for a snack.
Somehow, in Canada, the involvement of the school in the life of the whole society is felt especially strongly. The Canadian school is the farthest from the principle “Don’t go to someone else’s monastery with your charter”: schoolchildren live in the same rhythm with what is happening around. There was an Olympics - and in all Canadian schools, children discussed who played and how, counted medals, cheered for "ours". In addition, guests often perform in the classroom. "State employees" - policemen, firefighters; animal advocates - those come to class with a mini-zoo. As a consequence of "integrity with society", Canadian teachers behave quite differently. The current Canadian teacher (among them, by the way, there are many men) is quite a sociable comrade who “takes” not by status, but by the fact that he (or she) knows a lot, teaches the subject interestingly and masterfully manages the learning process.
As in all Canadian society, volunteering plays a big role in local schools. As a rule, in Canadian families, children are born one after another, with a difference of two to three years. Mom - if the financial situation of the family allows - stays at home until the youngest of them goes to first grade. So the mothers of Kindergardens are the most frequent volunteers. They help at home (preparing, for example, dough for modeling), at school (sorting, organizing, folding), and in the classroom in the classroom - for example, reading with children or helping solve problems. And of course, volunteers are simply indispensable at field events.
Farm visit - view the animals and bet on the pig race
In the warm season, such "forays" are made once a month, or even more often. Fascinating - children's eyes burn - trips to the theater, library, farm or zoo, fire station or hospital - are accompanied by mini-lectures on how everything works, as well as "what is good and what is bad."
CONCLUSION
What can be applied to us:
- developed private schools (if parents have money, then why not organize an individual approach for the student, useful circles and classes, good equipment. In the regions, this is an urgent problem, since there are rich people, but there are no quality schools)
— Primary School up to grade 6(at the age of 11, children are not yet ready to move to secondary school, where they are left to their own devices. Therefore, our teachers treat them like children for a couple of years. And then teenagers get used to it. I believe that teachers should change as they grow up, so that children do not get used to
- mixing by class every year(useful for both leaders and losers (I don't know the synonym in Russian))
- closed area(they walked our dogs. Yes, and 2 of my bikes would not have been stolen at the doorstep of the school if it had been fenced)
- start at 9:10 (I had it at 8:30. It's terrible. I would have done it at 10:00, because schoolchildren would not load public transport, it's already light in winter, sleep longer)
- making the most of the walls(this is prettier, useful for schoolchildren)
- sit on the floor(we already sit in Samara. On linoleum. If they made carpet, it would be cool to relax at breaks)
— "From the first grade, schoolchildren study "social sciences" - and if social science and history begin closer to the middle classes, then a first grader in Canada already knows how important it is to wait in line, to share with friends"
- many projects and presentations(many of us cannot speak to people at all or talk on the go)
— "Socialization, involvement in communication and teaching the rules of conflict-free cooperation generally mean at least as much in local schools as academic grades themselves"
- events and invited people(for a variety of educational process)
P.S. It would seem that these are simple tips, but even the implementation of these points (quite sensible and suitable for Russia) can radically change school education in the country. And judging by USE results it really needs some major changes.
Tell your friends. This is very important for me: it stimulates me to write more posts.
The schools of this country are invariably among the TOP-5 best in the world in terms of computerization and technology, as well as in terms of the level of training of students. attractive not only by the high level of knowledge that children receive, but also by the favorable atmosphere, safety, comfortable conditions, as well as low cost compared to the USA, Great Britain, etc.
The Canadian education system is unique in that it does not have a centralized government: each province independently determines the rules and conditions of education. Depending on the location of the school, children can take 11 or 12 years of education. The child must complete 3 stages at school:
- elementary - primary from grades 1 to 6;
- middle - 7th and 8th grade;
- high - from 9th to 12th grade.
The academic year includes 2 semesters and takes a total of 10 months. The program includes several compulsory subjects, as well as the rest of the electives. If a student applies for a higher level, he can be trained under the Advanced Placement Program, which includes about 35 subjects. This gives excellent chances for admission to a university of any level.
Also, the International Baccalaureate program is taught in schools, after which the student receives an international diploma. High grades will make it possible to enter even the most prestigious universities without exams. In addition, individual schools create their own training programs that give students an advantage in further admission.
In high school, each student must volunteer for a minimum of 40 hours. This is unusual for foreigners, but it provides an excellent opportunity to gain work experience, meet new people, and decide on an occupation.
Types of schools in Canada
There are three types of schools in Canada:
1. State. Education for Canadians is provided free of charge. This sector makes up more than 90% of all schools in the country. They provide a fairly high level of education and are equipped with everything necessary for high-quality education of children.
2. Catholic. Also free for Canadians. They differ from public schools only in the presence of several religious subjects and stricter discipline, which has a good effect on student performance.
3. Private. Education is paid for both Canadians and foreign students. They are distinguished by a higher level of preparation of schoolchildren: the latest teaching methods are implemented here, there is profiling in certain subjects and the equipment is much better. Teaching takes place in small classes. Private schools pay great attention to the creative and sports development of students. Excellent conditions have been created for this: special studios, swimming pools, courts, gyms, etc. However, it is more difficult to enter such a school, since the requirements for students are very high.
Gender specific: yes educational establishments separately for boys or girls, as well as joint.
Any school in the maple leaf country is available for foreigners to study in it. Regardless of the type of school, education will be paid (in the state, it is almost twice as cheap as in the private one).
Admission conditions
Almost all schools in Canada accept foreign students from the age of 13, although some can enroll earlier.
Foreign students can take vacation programs in Canadian schools for several weeks, or study for several full years. A popular option is to enroll in the 12th grade in a Canadian school, after finishing 11th grade in your home country.
Last year will help to adapt and get the necessary preparation for entering the university.
To enroll in a Canadian school, a student must provide:
- a certificate or an extract with grades for the last 3-4 years;
- certificate of knowledge in English(or French);
- birth certificate and passport.
Awards, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions will give an additional advantage in admission.
If a student completes 3-4 years in a Canadian school, he is not required to take an English language proficiency test.
Accommodations
If a foreign student enters a public school in Canada, he will live in a host family who are selected according to a special program. He will be provided with comfortable conditions, food and the opportunity to quickly adapt to life in the country. All host families are checked for well-being (no criminal record, dangerous diseases, the ability to provide good conditions), as well as the desire to host a child.
Private schools are known for excellent living conditions. The student is provided with a full board: modern campuses are located in a closed area, which guarantees security around the clock. There are also private schools where you can study while living with a host family.
Perspectives for international students
State or - this is an excellent start for admission to a higher educational institution in Canada, the USA or another country. Many educational institutions cooperate with colleges and universities, offering students training programs and additional features for admission. With successful studies, some students are enrolled in a university even before graduation.
Studies of the PISA international program for assessing the educational achievements of secondary school students have shown that Canadian students are among the most well-prepared in the world: according to the rating, they rank third in terms of natural sciences and reading, the fifth - in mathematics.
At the same time, the cost of education in Canadian schools is noticeably better in comparison with the cost of education in the US and the UK, not inferior in terms of other parameters and career prospects of graduates.
Each province of Canada independently determines the education system, so the division into primary and secondary schools in different schools may differ. Primary education may cover grades 1 to 6 (ages 6 to 11) or 1 to 8 (ages 6 to 13). Secondary education - from the 7th or 9th grade to the 12th (from 12 or 14 to 18 years). Accepted designations by class:
- elementary school (grades 1-6)
- middle school (grades 7 and 8)
- high school (grades 7-12)
At the age of 15-16, a student can continue their studies at high school or go to college for a vocational education.
The academic year in Canada lasts 10 months (September to May) and is usually divided into 2 semesters.
For the first few years, the school curriculum mainly consists of compulsory subjects and several elective subjects, which become more and more every next year, which makes it possible for the student to better prepare for entering the university.
More significant benefits for admission are provided by the Advanced Placement (AP) program, which includes about 35 subjects, examination scores for which are taken into account by most universities in the US, Canada and the UK. The higher the academic level of the school, the more program subjects it can offer its students to choose from.
The Canadian Secondary School Diploma is issued after passing a certain number of subjects - compulsory and optional: the conditions, like the class system, depend on the rules adopted in the province.
In addition, a student in the last two years of study can take the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which allows you to receive an international diploma. This is a universal program, the results of which are recognized by the leading universities of the world and allow you to enter higher educational institutions without exams, on the basis of an international baccalaureate certificate.
Many Canadian schools are also developing their own programs that provide advantages for admission to a university and receive additional scholarships, for example, the Global Leadership Program, Capstone Diploma, and many others.